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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Call of Duty

137 replies

midgeysmum · 13/11/2009 09:49

My 13 year old is pleading with me to let him have the new C O D x-box live game so he can play with his classmates who all have it, only came out on Wed. It is an 18, he was only 13 in July. I haven't allowed him to buy any previous COD games which were rated 16, but he has borrowed one and played it at home. What do I do?

OP posts:

claw3 · 13/11/2009 14:22

Seeker - Sorry i see the confusion now!

When i replied 'will you still be doing that when you son is an 11 year old boy. I was replying to Shocker who said that she turns the radio off in the car when bad news comes on!

seeker · 13/11/2009 14:22

I would have thought it was pretty obvious that the answer is no - my children would not under any circumstances play this game - or any similar ones, and that i think that people who do let their children play them are making a big mistake.

whoisasking · 13/11/2009 14:27

madamearcati - so would you allow someone else's child to play COD if they were at your house? Let's say the kids are 13 for the sake or argument.

Original poster

midgeysmum · 13/11/2009 14:31

I agree the obvious answer is no and I am the adult here with a 13yr old. I just needed some advice from people who have seen it/played it to support my No as I really don't want to vet it myself. As far as I am concerned it is an 18 for a reason. I am sure it would not turn my son into a terrorist but as we have had tears everyday this week due to me saying No, he obviously isn't a mature 13yr old.

OP posts:

seeker · 13/11/2009 14:32

"seeker wrote ' We let them virtually massacre an airport full of innocent people. Give me strength!'

It isn't real you know !wink"

I did say virtually!

madamearcati · 13/11/2009 14:39

whiisasking No. I obviously would only allow another child to play it if I knew they played similar games at home.

seeker I beg your pardon .My mistake yes you did .I interpreted virtual as in the sense 'almost a whole airport'

shockers · 13/11/2009 15:10

My DD is 10 and my DS is 9 claw3 and yes, I will be turning the radio off when horrendous news comes on for a few years yet. There are things that little minds should not have to deal with IMO.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 15:20

Shockers - Will you censor newspapers as well or hide them?

Will you ask the school to exclude them from history lessons too?

Trafficcone · 13/11/2009 15:23

My son is getting it for Christmas, he's 15 in the spring. I'd have let him play it last year, he had GTA. They're games, total make believe.

seeker · 13/11/2009 15:26

I don't, as a rule, censor reality. However, I don't think of banning this crap as censorship - any more than not letting a 13 year old drink gin is censorship. It's protecting children from something vile, gross, possibly harmful and completely unnecessary.

whoisasking · 13/11/2009 15:28

That's not the same Claw though.

Again - I don't remember watching graphic videos of Ann Boleyn (For example) having her head hacked off while blood squirted onto the camera. And I certainly wasn't the actual exectioner in a game of Henry The 8th...This time it's Personal; or whatever.

As to newspapers/new programmes - if the newscaster says "Some of the following footage may be upsetting" then I tend to turn over. My DS's are 9 and 12, I don't think they're hypersensitive, I just would rather them have another few years before the cruelty and horror that the world sometimes holds, is thrust into the front of their minds.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 16:25

This thread is going all over the place!

My point was both my ds's play it, they are not upset by it all, its just a game to them, as it should be. They are more upset by things that happen in real life, as it should be also.

Whoisasking - You dont have to watch videos of blood squirting out to be upset by something. The same as some people can play video games and realise, that it is just a game.

Anyhow ladies, each to their own.

ILoveStripeySocks · 13/11/2009 16:31

My friend has broadcast on her FB status how her 7 year old son has already completed the game.

Wrong on soooo many levels!

SouthMum · 13/11/2009 16:35

Agree its just a game. I'd make the judgement if my kid could have the game or not as only I can.

Also at some of the posts on here. Its a game, please lets not get all hysterical. I used to play Operation as a kid, doesn't mean I go around with a scalpel trying to take out peoples kidneys without hitting the sides......

whoisasking · 13/11/2009 16:41

Southmum - I don't think the posters who disagree with your POV are being "hysterical" at all.

I don't think it is "Just a game" I believe it is aimed an older audience, hence the 18 certificate. I don't believe that the game "Operation" had an age limit on it.

groundhogs · 13/11/2009 16:47

Erm... maybe I'm thick... but the clue is there.... it's rated 18 FFS!

Suppose those of you with underage kids allowed to play it will be dropping them off to see Saw IV or whatever number it's up to now... 'It's just a game.... yeah well a Horror film is 'just a film' too isn't it. Doesn't mean your 13 yo will be able to go and see one at the multiplex, cos it's 'just a film'

Come ON you lot, what ARE you thinking? It's an 18 Cert for a REASON!

No wonder this country is going the way it is...

Gah!

claw3 · 13/11/2009 16:48

Ilovestripeysocks - Wrong as it would be impossible to complete the whole game in such a short time! a story mode perhaps.

SouthMum · 13/11/2009 16:55

So if they didnt have certificates you wouldn't be bothered?

DadOfBeautifulGirls · 13/11/2009 16:57

Just to throw my oar in. I work in computer games for a company not unrelated to the company that makes Modern Warfare 2. The game makes a notable decision to try and emotionally affect users with the airport scene. In that sense it is very disturbing, and the point isn't that it will turn young minds into terrorists, but that it makes them into virtual spectators (helpless spectators) in the slaughter of innocents. You wouldn't want children seeing stuff like that in real life or even on TV, so I really, really wouldn't want kids playing the game.

The previous version was rated 15, this one is rated 18 for a reason

whoisasking · 13/11/2009 17:00

Of course I would. It's unsuitable for children. Why do you think the certificates are on there - this is getting to be a circular argument.

seeker · 13/11/2009 17:00

"So if they didnt have certificates you wouldn't be bothered?"

Eh?

Rubyrubyruby · 13/11/2009 17:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 17:08

Its a bit like the alcohol law, you have to 18 or over to buy it, but aged over 5 or something to drink it in your own home!

I should imagine they rely rather heavily on parental guidance.

Rubyrubyruby · 13/11/2009 17:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ABitHalloweenBatty · 13/11/2009 17:25

Can I join in this thread? I have a 11 yo DS who has played Cod4 WaW this past year and has loved it. He made extra friends at High School this year through it as he went to this HS knowing no-one, then started playing online with new friends and really helped him settle into HS.

He is desperate for Modern Warfare 2 but I'm not sure. I want him to have it but something is holding me back I feel torn!

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