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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SouthMum · 13/11/2009 17:33

Seeker - Eh? Indeed, just realised that I imagined a post up about it being illegal for an under 18 to play it (or something like that). My bad [makes note to not skim posts anymore]. Meant something like Claws post above re: alcohol.

Rubyrubyruby - yes I have a PS3 and am getting this game for Xmas.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 17:41

Rubyruby - Not so different really. You may let a 5 year old play COD, not quite the same as letting a much older child play it?

In some households, letting a child have shandy at 12 would be considered irresponsible, in others it wouldnt, if you get my drift.

pointydogg · 13/11/2009 17:47

sickos

Defluffmyfanjo · 13/11/2009 17:59

Just asked DP as I have only played earlier versions. He said 11 / 13 etc no way it is far too violent. If 15 possibly but really depends on maturity of child. Surely its an 18 for a reason though?

seeker · 13/11/2009 18:10

On a slightly different tack - why are all the really popular games so violent?

shockers · 13/11/2009 18:14

claw3 I make no apologies for not wanting my kids to hear about a mother murdered in front of her children, as reported on the radio today.
They both recognise that history is in the past and we do talk about things like WW1 & WW2, why they happened and what we should learn from the horror of war.
DS does read the paper but again, I will have a look first.
At 9, I don't think it's neccessary for him to know the full picture. As he matures I will decrease the 'censorship'.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 18:20

Shockers As i also said each to their own

claw3 · 13/11/2009 18:21

Seeker - I have also noticed that every player but one has been male when my ds's play online.

lavenderkate · 13/11/2009 18:26

ours has just arrived here so I have asked DH.

I know he wont let DD13 see it.

He says "its quite gorey,even disturbing in parts but clearly not real. He stresses to tell you there is a setting you can enable to warn you that something disturbing is coming up and asks if you want to skip it? But he also thinks if its an 18cert for a reason..."

Hope this helps, its certainly raised a few questions in this household.

AsurDH · 13/11/2009 18:55

My wife posts on here and told me there was this thread about a parent in a dilema regarding buying COd:MW2

I have played it and completed it the airport scene is not the only disturbing level in this game, but it is very distubing
and not ever person dies from one shot so while your walking along watching a poor lady crawling along the ground blood dripping from her, trying to get to safety her you put a bullet in the back of her head to put her out of her misery, as well as the countless other people who could be crawling for dear life,

Now i see alot of people saying " it's a game its not real, get over it " fair enough
But in every game that someone plays you assume the role of said persons and assume another persona and start to play it out, I.E Roleplaying, just because its not real doesn't mean the mind doesn't make it real.

My advice to you would be not to buy this game for anyone under 18, it won't turn them into a serial killer but it may disturb them.

lavenderkate · 13/11/2009 19:09

AsurDH really?

Why do you and my DH play it?

Just dont understand that myself.

piscesmoon · 13/11/2009 19:12

I don't see why you are even asking-it is an 18-end of story. Stick to your convictions-it has caused problems in our household and made me unpopular but that is just tough, they get over it.

AsurDH · 13/11/2009 19:27

Lavenderkate-

I started playing call of duty when the first one was released and played for the story and history, at that time they were set in WW2, so MW and MW2, i guess its because i love the call of duty series, when i played modern warfare i loved the story, setting and characters, plus mulitplayer was fun, MW2 has some of the orinal characters and the story is continued so i wanted to Play out the story see what happens, and it was great, can't wait for the 3rd one.

Activision Knew this game was violent hence the warning at the start before you get into the game, then they ask you again are you sure

They know its violent ( said it twice thats how violent it is ) hence the 18 cert, i can't beleive there are so many irrisposable and neglegent parents out there just buying this and allowing children as young as 8 play it.....would you let them watch porn!!!

And online multiplay is just as bad, because of the language that is spoken and yes i have heard children say some unsavioury thing about my mother and other things, gaming is not a childrens only area now people.

lavenderkate · 13/11/2009 19:43

I see.
I guess I should sit in on one of DHs games this weekend and see for myself.

I wonder though, in the old age tradition of us boys and girls being so different, on having to perform a 'mercy killing' as you described the woman in the airport, would that have taken it over the line for me?

I can understand why the whole scenario of War as a whole interests people like yourself and DH, but I wonder, doesnt the reality ever become too real?
Dh would answer simply, no its a game.
Yet I know that I would renact that scenario over and over in the days to come.

AsurDH · 13/11/2009 20:05

Is is only a game.....but the human mind is deep and undiscovered, you never know what can trigger what what.

Don't get me wrong the airport scene is an important part of the story, but it should have been a movie.

Also the " virtual " people in this game look real, there expressions, they way they move and such, even when you kill the person expressions and movements seems real.

another of the scenes is where your repelling down a rope and there is a person below you, so okay you attack to kill with your knife the only thing you see happening is looking into the persons eyes as the life is drained from him, may not be real, but the look on the guys face was real enough.

bumpsoon · 13/11/2009 20:13

Hi, I am bumpsoon's 15 yearold "ds"
I bought the game recently and have played the airport level.
First of all, if you bought your son the game, it gives the player the choice to skip the level because some people may find it offensive to watch/play, so if you don't want him too play that level then you can just tell him to skip it, or skip it for him - It shouldnt bother him too much because skipping the level makes hardly any difference to the game itself.
Second of all, it really isnt that disturbing, in my opinion a 11 year old wouldnt even understand the controversy surrounding it and would just like shooting people!

So, i say it's up to you.

bumpsoon · 13/11/2009 20:14

thought it would be easier to let him put it in his own words

nighbynight · 13/11/2009 20:49

Its 18 - your ds is 13. Tell him he can have it in 5 yrs time.

seriously - it was set 18 for a reason. Probably better to respect that and not buy it. "All my friends have it" is no excuse.

JANEITEisntErudite · 13/11/2009 21:01

I have posted on both of the other threads and stand by what I said there. It is absolutely, unquestionably wrong to allow children to play these games and the more I see people justifying themselves in allowing it, as though it makes them good parents for 'stimulating discussion' (yeah, right), the more alarmed I am.

Seeker has it right - get a grip: just say no. And if they cry, beg, plead - say it louder. Amen.

Colonelcupcake · 13/11/2009 21:11

Well I hate to say it but I wouldn't make my DS wait for it, my DH said the airport scene was dissapointing I havn't done that et but have played online, online I would encourage my ds to play with people he knew.

Offline with supervision to ensure the scences that can be skipped are I would say from about 13

Alambil · 13/11/2009 21:38

By nighbynight Fri 13-Nov-09 20:49:03
Its 18 - your ds is 13. Tell him he can have it in 5 yrs time.

I agree with this.... same as fags and alcohol and anything else with an age limit...

Rules is rules.

Let him find confidence to say "no, it's gross and I won't" and stand up to his friends - don't let him be a sheep.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 22:01

The 17 year olds who are being sent to fight real wars are too young to play this game, ironic.

If you cannot tell the difference between pixels and reality, there is already something wrong with you!

Kaloki · 13/11/2009 22:07

Just out of curiosity claw, would you allow a 13 year old to watch an 18 film (eg. Saw)?

MorrisZapp · 13/11/2009 22:08

Use the 18 rating to do the hard work for you - it is illegal for kids to play this game. End of.

Do they ask you to buy them alcohol ar 13, 14 etc becuase all their friends have it?

It's just not a good reason. Any adult who caves in to the pressure of popular culture over their own values and beliefs is part of the problem imo.

claw3 · 13/11/2009 22:24

Kaloki - I cant comment on any 13 year old, but my 13 year old no. He doesnt like horror films.

Thats the whole point, anyone over the age of 18 can rent a copy of Saw, the same as they can buy a copy of COD and allow someone under the age of 18 watch/play it. It amounts to parental guidance and knowing your child.

If you want to buy into the whole censorship business as they know your child better than you, thats up to you. But remember the same puppets who are saying your child cant drink or whatever until they are 18, are sending 17 year olds to their deaths. They are also allowing 11 years old to punch the shit out of each other in a boxing ring!

I know whoses judgment i trust