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Gaming

Note: This topic is for discussing games and gaming.

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Original poster

Grand Theft Auto - please help!

45 replies

Jacblue · 01/12/2019 00:06

I’m not letting my 13 year old have this 18 game, even though his dad would let him if it weren’t for me. He says all his mates have it and he’s being teased at school for not (he’s said this untruthfully before to get something he wants), but I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle as hubby’s cousin has let her 13yr old have it, so has a close friend and my sister has let her 12yr old! Son is getting really rude and nasty to me about it, but I feel so strongly that’s it’s such a horrible game. I’m alone on my decision and don’t know if I should stick to my guns or if I’m being unreasonable. I would welcome any advice in either direction.

OP posts:

tornmum1 · 01/12/2019 17:56

Eh, get him it.

Mine had it at 9 and he isn't fucked up. He's now 13.

Todaythiscouldbe · 01/12/2019 18:02

It's obviously your choice but my DS has had the game since he was 12, it's nowhere near as bad as people make it out to be. Look at it on youtube and decide from there

ffswhatnext · 01/12/2019 18:10

He could go behind your back and play it.
A lot of teens are doing this, mine included.
None of the teens I know have played the actual game. It's the online racing they are more interested in. They play purposely made racing games, but there is something different about this one. And I agree, if I was still into racing games, it's one I would play a lot.

It's also in the settings the ability to change it so the couple of newsworthy issues can be taken out.

There's also an element of the individual child and how they would react to it. I do know of some 17-year-olds who couldn't deal with the game. Not because of 'those scenes' but because of the whole thing. Just like some adults still cannot watch 15's.

safariboot · 03/12/2019 13:13

It's 18 for a reason and YANBU to stand your ground. Some underage teens will be OK with it, some might not.

If you're willing to consider moving on it, I'd tell DS that the more he nags and moans about it, the more he's proving he's not mature enough.

I can understand why your DS wants it though. The GTA series are good games.

Heymummee · 03/12/2019 13:16

My son plays this and he’s almost 12. He plays it mostly to just drive and walk around, he also likes playing with the dog. I only ever let him play it whilst I’m there though.

annielennoxstuckinmyhead · 03/12/2019 13:39

He plays it mostly to just drive and walk around, he also likes playing with the dog.

It's all about stealing the aeroplanes, jumping out and killing yourself 😂

annielennoxstuckinmyhead · 03/12/2019 13:39

WAAAASTEEEED

Pinkbonbon · 03/12/2019 13:44

As a gamer, it's not the worst one out there. I mean it isn't too gruesome ect... and there's an element of testing morality in it via choice which I guess is good for a growing mind.

I would have said not before 14 and even then, only if he is a generally empathetic/emotionally mature kid. But if all his friends have it - he plays it anyway. Might as well be in your own home where you can keep an eye on him.

MashedSpud · 03/12/2019 13:47

Don’t let him go in the lap dancing club 😂

Pinkbonbon · 03/12/2019 13:51

Or compromise and get him red dead redemption 2 (cowboys). It's from the same company. Has a very strong focus on moral vs immoral choices (being good vs bad influences the ending).

Educational, beautiful scenery, horses: great game.

ComisSousDePartie · 03/12/2019 13:54

I have a problem with the rape bit, the drug taking and the objectification of women. And that lap dancing club. And the violence. So mine won’t be getting it till they’re 18 and I would blow a gasket if their friend’s parents let them play it.

9? FFS.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 03/12/2019 13:58

I didn't let my DS have it as a younger teen - DSS played it from about 15 and also refused to let his little brother have it. By the time DS was 16 and I relaxed the veto, he wasn't interested in it and preferred Fifa. He finally bought it a few weeks ago when he completed Red Dead Redemption 2 - he's 19 now.

gamerchick · 03/12/2019 13:59

No I stood my ground as I do with most adult rated games. The makers of it said it wasn't for kids so why people think it's fine is beyond me

'some' 18 age ratings are imo because of fleeting inserted adult things but that one deserves its 18.

Anyone letting their kids have it at barely teens are a bit lazy in their parenting imho. But that's their choice.

dreichXmas · 03/12/2019 14:13

I wouldn't let him have it because he is getting rude and nasty about it.
Yes he may well play it at his mates but he is old enough to cope with the idea that not all dc are raised in the same way.
You don't have to parent to the lowest common denominator.

Bloomburger · 03/12/2019 14:21

I'd have no respect for any friends, family or DC's friends or parents if they considered buying this game. I find the very concept of it disgusting.

It will never be brought into my house and when my son moves out I'd be appalled if he chose to buy it and play it. I'd hope I'd brought him up to stand up against this sort of violent, misogynistic shit.

Bloomburger · 03/12/2019 14:23

But if your child is having a tantrum about it and you can't be bothered to step up and parent him then go ahead and buy it. After all that little sticker with an age rating on it wasn't put on there by an expert body of people with your child's best interests at heart 🙄.

ComisSousDePartie · 03/12/2019 14:28

Exactly, Bloomburger.

May as well let them watch porn too.

Todaythiscouldbe · 03/12/2019 22:50

I wonder how many people who are so against the game have actually played it? Most of the bits people pick up on are in story mode, online they play with friends.

ReanimatedSGB · 03/12/2019 22:54

Meh, unclench. It's a game. Do you whine and police his reading, his conversations, what he watches on the telly as well?

ComisSousDePartie · 04/12/2019 00:37

Yes. He’s 10. That’s my job. I’m not his mate, I’m his mum.

dreichXmas · 04/12/2019 00:46

police his reading, his conversations, what he watches on the telly as well?

Yes. I'm a parent so I parent.
They aren't allowed to swear in my hearing, read porn or watch 18 films. I don't let them watch stuff like GOT either.
They are tweens not adults.

BlueEyedFloozy · 04/12/2019 00:54

I'm pretty laid back when it comes to age ratings and DH is a gamer but GTA is one game that we won't budge on with my 13yo (despite DH owning it 🙄) although thankfully he's not shown an interest as he prefers the Forza racing games.

My brother used to drive around getting prostitute's then killing them so he could get his money back, he also used to go on killing frenzies and drug runs... He's pretty decent in real life so I definitely don't think these games turn people into nutters but it's still not the kind of gratuitously violent and openly misogynistic shit I want my teen exposed to!

SlippersAndWinePlease · 04/12/2019 01:02

I seriously question the parenting of someone who would let a 9 year old play GTA.

Don't let him have that or any game given that he's being rude and nasty.

tornmum1 · 07/12/2019 16:15

@SlippersAndWinePlease I didn't ask for you to question my parenting, so don't answer

Ebonyandivory2 · 07/12/2019 16:17

Aww buy it for him. My brother has played it since he was 10 and he’s fine. I also love playing it. It’s just a bit of fun. Just set a time limit for gaming

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