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Original poster

On Friday my son spent the afternoon playing Simpsons Hit and Run...

28 replies

yesmynameisigglepiggle · 15/10/2007 14:04

...at school.

In Golden Time.

He is 5.

I am really upset and somehow I just feel really helpless today and feel my children won't ever get the education they deserve.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 15/10/2007 14:11

I wouldn't be happy about that TBH. I have no problem with appropriate computer games out of school (in moderation of course), and no problem witht he use of computers in schools. But don't think The Simpsons computer game is suitable for a 5 year old at school.

Alethiometer · 15/10/2007 14:12

Really?
I don't think one afternoon will ruin his education.
If you are really upset, then you need to speak to the school.

Original poster
yesmynameisigglepiggle · 15/10/2007 14:15

I think golden time is great. But I have purposely not let DS play games like this. I don't even know what certificate it is. Have you seent he game. Apparently it involves lots of crashing and running people over.

Just wondering if I will look like an idiot if I go and complain about this. I really don't think this is appropriate in SCHOOL. Do most people or do I live a sheltered existence????

OP posts:
Lulumama · 15/10/2007 14:16

golden time, AFAIK is only a few minutes once a week so won;t destroy his education..

Alethiometer · 15/10/2007 14:17

I have seen the game - I think it is rated 3+, but not sure.
I think you need to speak to the school, and get their reasons for allowing it.
They will either put your mind at rest, or if you still think it is unacceptable, they can ensure your DS does different activities.

claricebeansmum · 15/10/2007 14:18

The rating for that is 7+.

IMO it should not have been given to a 5yo. He may play 7+ games at home but that it is at the parents discretion.

At DD school Golden Time seems to be running around wild in the playground with all the toys out!

bagpuss · 15/10/2007 14:21

Hmm, I don't have a problem with computer use during golden time but I would if it meant any of my dcs were playing this type of software. I would speak to the school if it were me. Mine rarely even get to watch the Simpsons at home tbh as I think certain parts of it are inappropriate for children.

Original poster
yesmynameisigglepiggle · 15/10/2007 14:21

I don't think the playing of the game will destroy his education. Not at all.

I think what upsets me is that I have different standards to the school. I would not allow him to play that game at home. And then I hand him over to school trustingly and they allow him to play it.

God I do sound namby pamby when I say it out loud don't I?

OP posts:
claricebeansmum · 15/10/2007 14:23

I think you just need to have a word with the teacher and ask that your DS plays age appropriate games...

MaryBleedinShelley · 15/10/2007 14:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lulumama · 15/10/2007 14:24

if the game is not age appropriate, then you are not being namby pamby, you also need to find out how many minutes he played for

MaryBleedinShelley · 15/10/2007 14:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CovenOVeneer · 15/10/2007 14:25

Not at all. I agree the actual game itself is innappropriate, playing on the computer fine. I do not allow dd (almost 6) to watch the simpsons either.

marthamoo · 15/10/2007 14:28

Go in and complain. When ds1 was in year 1 (he must have been 6) they showed the first Harry Potter film to them at the end of term. It's a PG - I had seen it, but had chosen not to let ds1 see it as I thought it was too scary for him. I was livid. I went in and spoke to his teacher (not all guns blazing, but in a reasonable way) and she was extremely apologetic - she was mortified really. The next day the Head came up to me in the playground and also apologised - he said I was absolutely right, they should not have showed a PG film to children without parental permission being sought, and that they would ensure it didn't happen again.

The fact that the game is 7+ is enough grounds for a complaint - the school being in loco parentis does not mean they are able to take parental decisions out of your hands.

You may find - as in my case - it's carelessness, rather than wilful "different standards". I'm not excusing them - but it doesn't mean that it's a terrible school - just that they have made a (big) mistake on this occasion.

Blandmum · 15/10/2007 14:28

It is rated as 7+

While it is not 'as wrong' as some of the more violent 'hit and run' games, it is not approriate for a 5 year old.

I'd have a word with the teacher

muppetgirl · 15/10/2007 14:29

I wouldn't be happy about this either. If the game has a rating of 7+ it shouldn't be accessed by your son. I don't think the Simpsons is an appropriate game for a child of this age to play anyway.

And a whole afternoon playing computer games???

marthamoo · 15/10/2007 14:30

As a PS - ds1 didn't thank me - he said "we didn't get to see the end of Harry Potter, Mum, we had to watch Mary Poppins instead."

MaryBleedinShelley · 15/10/2007 14:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Marina · 15/10/2007 14:40

Mean old moo
I don't think it's namby-pamby at all YMNII.
We have a good policy in this country on classification of video games and films, better than most, and if they rate that game 7+ then my dcs would not be allowed it either, until they were that age.
Let us know how you get on with the school. My perception is that in general people are laxer about the guidelines relating to video games, possibly because they don't correspond directly to the film classification bands.

NotAnOtter · 15/10/2007 14:42

imo school is not for video games
i would be seething but then I am a prude

Original poster
yesmynameisigglepiggle · 15/10/2007 15:01

Thanks for your comments. I am a bit of a prude too. That is why I was a bit hesitant/scared to complain, word normally gets around int hese situations. Anyway, going on the school run now. Will see if I can have a word with the teacher...

OP posts:
marthamoo · 15/10/2007 15:52

Hypocritical old moo more like...ds2 saw HP1 at 5

MaryBleedinShelley · 15/10/2007 21:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

controlfreaky2 · 15/10/2007 22:04

well?
ps: yanbu AT ALL!

Original poster
yesmynameisigglepiggle · 16/10/2007 13:38

Sorry guys, I bottled it. Have decided that if this happens again I will definitely say something. I did go to see his teacher and she started telling me about all the great things he had been doing at school and I didn't want to spoil that moment. What a wuuss I am!

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