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Original poster

would you let your 11Y DS play 18 certificate games?

103 replies

sanae · 13/04/2009 18:12

My 11 yr old DS keeps complaining that all his friends play 18 certificate games on their consoles- medal of honour, grand theft auto etc. We have said no to this, and I thought it was just a case of "my friends are all allowed to...." pushing the limits. But I was surprised when I asked around to find that their children are playing these things -even down to some 7 year olds. The parents all seem "nice" respectable people and to be fair the kids all seem well balanced. Are we being too protective? - he has watched these things at their houses without us realising so it's not as though he isn't seeing them at all. Is there a big difference between 18 cert. content in films, which I certainly wouldn't let him watch, and games? What do you let your kids do?

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newgirl · 13/04/2009 18:17

no i wouldnt - i dont like violence as entertainment at all - just cant stomach it. cant he get into something else? sports or something? i know its tricky but id try and stick to your instincts

MuffinBaker · 13/04/2009 18:18

Of course not.

Tinker · 13/04/2009 18:19

I wouldn't but trying to control what they see and do in their friends houses may be a different matter

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greenelephant · 13/04/2009 18:20

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Original poster
sanae · 13/04/2009 18:21

My immediate reaction is "of course not" so I can't understand why so many of the people I know are doing it. I was genuinely shocked when I found out because it seems to be the norm - anyone like to argue the other way?

OP posts:
purepurple · 13/04/2009 18:22

the thing with the grand theft auto games is the swearing
DS19 has lots of them and while I don't really mind the violence part of it, it is only a game, the language is really obscene
every other word is "motherfucker", and their is a running commentary the whole time
I have let my DD12 play some shoot-em ups, I don't really want her playing the grand theft auto ones

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 13/04/2009 18:24

No I wouldn't

Nor would I let them go somewhere they were being played

They decrease sensitivity to violence

These parents are stupid and neglectful imo

purepurple · 13/04/2009 18:25

oops
*there

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 13/04/2009 18:25

and being encouraged to gain points by running over prostitutes and then getting an easter egg so you can shag/rape them is not suitable content for a child (or anyone)

newgirl · 13/04/2009 18:29

i have a lovely friend who lets her six year old play adult games (not grand theft that i know of) he is very good at computers as are they. But its a very strange choice theyve made. Im not sure I understand it and im not going to stick my nose in!

Original poster
sanae · 13/04/2009 18:31

I don't think he has any problem distinguishing real life from fantasy violence. The swearing sounds horrible. I'd like to hear from people that so let their kids watch these things (obviously there are a lot).

OP posts:
MollieO · 13/04/2009 18:32

No but I was once asked to buy a present for a 7 yr old - Grand Theft Auto. I said no. On a slightly related topic I went to buy a playhouse for my 4 yr old today and was told that there wasn't much demand for them now because 'all children prefer computer games'.

Original poster
sanae · 13/04/2009 18:33

Laurie, that sounds awful and completely unsuitable. I haven't watched any of these things and haven't a clue what they contain - perhaps I should.

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sarah293 · 13/04/2009 18:34

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Original poster
sanae · 13/04/2009 18:39

Interesting Riven - I suppose the other side of the coin (and what I am concerned about) is making it sound more attractive than it is by banning it. As he goes into secondary school he will have to learn to make choices himself, and I want him to be able to do this rather than my just ban things. However I'm not convinced yet so would like to hear more views.

OP posts:
Stuffed · 13/04/2009 18:41

No!

Stuffed · 13/04/2009 18:41

No!

purepurple · 13/04/2009 18:41

riven, would you agree that the more we try to ban things and forbid our children from seeing/doing them, the more attractive we seem to make them?

Stuffed · 13/04/2009 18:42

And I don't let him drink beer either.

purepurple · 13/04/2009 18:42

Xpost there with sanae

newgirl · 13/04/2009 18:47

you can cop out though by saying 'its got an 18 certificate so im going by the guidance' - you dont have to be a strict censoring parent

cant they go swimming instead? read a book? am i in a dreamworld?!

Original poster
sanae · 13/04/2009 18:51

Of course they can, but when all his friends are doing it and I am saying "no" I feel I have to justify this to both him and myself, otherwise I am being a strict censoring parent - this is what I am struggling with.

OP posts:
everGreensleeves · 13/04/2009 18:52

"You can 'shag' prostitutes for health points. You see nothing. the car rocks."

Oh, that's OK then

purepurple · 13/04/2009 18:53

can you not compromise and let him have 15 certificate games?

newgirl · 13/04/2009 18:53

new friends?