not leeting my 14 yr old DS not have a 18 rated Xbox game

[Jaggeyblankets]

me and dh feel that the 18 rated call of duty game is unsuitable for our 14 year old, have not allowed him to buy it, but he borrowed it from a friend, I found it in his school bag. told him to return it but foolishly didn't take game off him, found him playing it later on with 11 year old ds2 watching! took disk and put in our room.
DS1 rummaged in our room when Auntie was looking after him and swapped for another disk must think we are stupid).

Xbox now removed from his room and big lectures on trust and lying etc. has to earn it back now.
Maybe we are making too much fuss over this, but really don't want him seeing all this violance etc on a daily basis.
He is basically a good kid but this Xbox is the thing that causes the most arguments ATM.

should read not letting....

It's causing quite a few arguments on MN, too!

You have done the right thing. He has lost his Xbox for defiance of your will. I would be even more cross that he's let his brother see it, as that proves he is not responsible enough to have such games.

There are several huge threads on this at the mo and you will find a massive split between parents who feel like you do and those who seem happy for their children to have access to any amount of violent and inappropriate games as 'they can handle it'.

If you don't feel it is appropriate you are well within your rights to stop him playing the game, whether others think the game is appropriate for similarly aged children or not.

He lied and stole back the game so many times I would be thinking of permanently removing the xbox. Cut off the plug at least so he can't take it back when you are not looking.

It's more about trust and lying I think than the game. The fact is you decided he could not play it and he repeatedly went behind your back to get it. So no you are not making too much fuss.

thanks, i agree it is more about him breaking our trust, i just started to feel that maybe it wasn't worth all the fuss.

But we have to stick by what we think is right, I don't think he should be watching 18 rated games.

I have taken the plug off, and put it where he can't find it.

I just remember being that age and how important these things can be, a lot of his friends are allowed to have these games.

it's so hard sometimes to do the right thing.
Will just have to tough it out!

Stands up and APPLAUDS Jaggeyblankets!

Took the plug off? WOW! You are good!!
GOOD for you!

makes note to remember this lol

I think you have done exactly the right thing!!

YANBU. You are the parent and exercising your rights. Your child will not lose out by not playing this game.

My 'little' brother had his xbox taken off him for several things when he was 14/15. I remember him being extremely grumpy and he sulked for days...don't know if your DS is the sulky type but deffo grit your teeth and stick to your guns.

I'll be toughing it out with you as ds (14) wants it for his PS3. As the BBFC have rated it as 18, I have said no. He is hassling me, but the rules stands.

I have bought Assassins Creed 2 for him which I believe is a PEGI 18, but a BBFC 15. I go by the BBFC ratings, so will allow him that one.

Hang in there - I'd only buy him Harry Potter games if I could get away with it!

Under age kids shouldn't play 18 rated games. Can you not set a parental lock on his 360 and give it back to him, so he can't play the higher rated games?

It's worse than an 18 film IMO, as they are actually doing the violence themselves. YANBU, I think those violent games are very very damaging to childrens' psyches.

As someone with experience of video game retail I can tell you not to take any notice of what other people think to be appropriate for their children who are the same ages as yours. Experience shows me that an awful lot of parents couldn't care less what computer games their children play, whether they are rated 3+ or 18. I have had parents trying to buy Grand Theft Auto for 6 year olds and not blinking an eye when I described the game to them.

Computer games are fun but they should be age-appropriate. Call of duty is not just 18, but a BBFC 18. There are not that many games given the legal 18 rating, it should be respected.

It is likely that loads of his mates have played it so that will be why he doesn't see the big deal. Stick to your guns.

YANBU

Well done you! I find it hard to get around the fact that some parents are so horrified at the thought of giving their kids a bit of chocolate but find it perfectly acceptable to allow them to play games in which they are wilfully and indiscrimately murdering innocent members of the public.

sounds to me like you've done the right thing. i have no personal experience of this because my children are too young but all the issues over video games used to drive me mad when i was nurse in charge on a secure unit for adolescents with severe mental health issues.

on a number of times i just unplugged the bloody thing and locked itaway as 18 games were always appearing, i particularly hated grand theft auto. arguments and discussions over who's turn itwas etc.etc. would often turn into full scale fisticuffs.

these were young men with violent backgrounds, they were thought disordered and often the perpetrators of violent crime and proir to admission would play these games for hours. personally i do think they pollute impressionable young minds and they're pretty nasty.

xbox/wii/ps issiue are a common theme in my discussions with parents (work in camhs as a nurse therapist now) andi've frequently advised parents to do exactly as you've done op!

can't understand why parents let their kids have access to these games underage, they have a certificate for a reason. then again can't understand why adults are interested in them either

I don't have personal experience of video games but to be honest I don't think it is the end of the world for a 14 year old to watch/play an 18 rated game or film.

I suppose the real issuse for me would be the breaching of the trust.

minx, adults are interested in them because they are enjoyable escapism, just like tv or a film. Do you think adults are silly for watching films?