Do you guys think it's ok for children to play games that adults should only play?

[Minormc]

I have 2 boys that are 2 and 6 and one on the way. My oldest love to play the video game, but I have brothers and other relatives that play video games as well, but they are violent games with lots of profanity and killing in them. I don't allow my kids to play these games because of the violence and killings in them as well as they should not be allowed to play these games because games do have a big influence on our children as well as on us adults. I would like to know what you guys opinions are on this topic.

 

[Oberon]

Definitely not. A prime eg is GTA V.Have you played that?
See here: http://ps4forum.com/35-other-gaming-talk/2043-violent-video-games-perception-comes.html
These types are extreme games types.

But even games that may be M rated like CoD games,while it depends on the individual and we know many younger kids play it someone who is 6 should defo not play that either.

 

[Annetteb]

I don't think it's ok for little kids to play adult games. What is the rating system for if not to keep young kids from playing adult games. They complain about games being too violent for young kids, but you have parents out there who don't stop their kids from playing these games. I think that is where the problem lies. I think it would be best if they made sure that kids couldn't get to those games that way they wouldn't have to worry about thrm playing anything other than a kiddie game.

 

[RaggaJungle]

I find it strange how many parents are fine with letting their kids play violent games. I think many just pass it off as 'it's just a game' but a young mind is far more susceptible to various graphic depictions than what an adult is. I really think it's a bad idea, and yet half of the people you hear on microphone on GTA 5 sound underage. I really doubt most parents even care about this.

 

[Haze]

Definitely not. A prime eg is GTA V.Have you played that?
See here: http://ps4forum.com/35-other-gaming-talk/2043-violent-video-games-perception-comes.html
These types are extreme games types.

But even games that may be M rated like CoD games,while it depends on the individual and we know many younger kids play it someone who is 6 should defo not play that either.

GTA V is horrible when it comes to people who shouldn't be playing it. When I was playing online, all I would here were kids under 12 playing the game using their mics. And this is in Australia. The game is rated R18+ meaning no-one under 18 should play. But ah well, it's never going to change.

 

[Oberon]

When I was playing online, all I would here were kids under 12 playing the game using their mics. And this is in Australia. The game is rated R18+ meaning no-one under 18 should play.

Not only not being able to buy it,they infact are not allowed to play it.
So any parents who have no idea about these sorts of games that just buy for their under age kids and then see how the game actually is and its content AND then complain have themselves to blame. R18 means 18,to not just to buy but to play.

Even CoD games that are 15 years and up (in AUS anyway though I think Ghosts will be PG13,not sure) have heaps of under age kids playing it..we all know that.And by law they shouldnt either.
How many times Im in lobbies with little kids...ridiculous.

I think many parents just see a game and think "oh,its only a game,must be OK" and give it to their kid regardless of the rating,that really pisses me off.

 

[Joel]

This is a hard call to make, because, being able to separate reality from fiction is something that people have to learn. Not just people who are 21 and up, but people are who are 2 years old and up. My daughter can play whatever she wants as long as she realizes that its not real. You can't go out and get shot up and hide behind a wall and be better. You certainly can't deal with your problems through violence and terrible things that happen.

I won't allow her to session to the levels that I have until she's older, she has the same struggle that I had when I was kid, some how finding a way to squeek out just a bit more of the hour of electronic gaming a night.

She's very young, so I don't have to owrry about those things and no I won't go buy her games that she's too young for, but if she's 14 and says "I understand its just bits and bytes on a screen, but I also know that you need a good a** medic for your killing floor team"...who am I to absolutely say no without giving her that chance to exercise her mind and beliefs and challenge that its something she can really grasp.

Of course then she'd be grounded for 3 weeks for saying a** ... because I'm the parent and that's what I have to do.

 

[Annetteb]

I think parents need to stop letting their young kids play these violent games. They always try to put the blame for their bad behavior on the game they were playing. I don't think that this is fair, but bad parents always look for someone else to blame for any wrong doing their kid does.

 

[xdratx1]

This generation is corrupted.. All the kids these days and most adults would be surprised to know this, watch inappropriate things online and by inappropriate, I'm sure you all can make a rough guess on what I'm referring to. It's only up to the parent's choice on how to secure their child's internet safety.

 

[Annetteb]

Yeah it has always bern up to the parents, but nowadays pstentd don't want the responsibility. I find that to be a shame because it would make things so much easier. I feel that there are some people who really shouldn't be parents, but they have kids anyway and then don't want the responsibility that comes with it.

 

[JoanMcWench]

I came to the conclusion quite some time ago that parents have the tendency to see the word 'game' and inherently deem it a child's thing. I assume that might have a lot to do with hearing a busload of children on GTA V. There was a time (NES, anyone?) where this could have easily been true but everyone who knows anything about gaming today it sure ain't. The internet is here to help. Read a few reviews and (less specifically) the rating on the box decide for yourself if you want your child playing it.

 

[jardantuan]

Age ratings are more of a guideline in fairness. Some 12 year olds will have the mental capacity and maturity to deal with adult themes in 18+ rated games, whereas some 18 year olds don't have the maturity to deal with it. This is the biggest problem with the whole 'war on violent video games' - a couple of cases with mentally unstable gamers does not mean that violent video games are a problem. It should be down to the parent to decide whether or not their child is alright to play these sorts of games.

The problem is, a lot of parents don't really pay any attention to it. And personally, I don't think kids should have access to games like Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto, particularly when they've barely hit their teens. However, games that aren't rated 18+ are generally perceived as 'kiddy' by those kids, and unless there's a lot of blood and swearing, the game isn't cool enough for them.

If parents would keep a closer eye on the games their kids are playing, and actually do a little research into what they're buying for their kids, it's not so bad. Buying GTA for a 10 year old is just wrong though (and I know several people who were playing GTA at that sort of age).

 

[Dark Septagon]

It all depends on the kids maturity. I know plenty of teens 15-17 that can handle these games and respect them as that, just games. However we have all come across those that can't handle these games. Its up to teens parents/guardian to determine if their teen/child can handle the more mature games.

 

[Francisco23]

I have 2 boys that are 2 and 6 and one on the way. My oldest love to play the video game, but I have brothers and other relatives that play video games as well, but they are violent games with lots of profanity and killing in them. I don't allow my kids to play these games because of the violence and killings in them as well as they should not be allowed to play these games because games do have a big influence on our children as well as on us adults. I would like to know what you guys opinions are on this topic.

As the terminology "adult" suggests, these games aren't appropriate for children. I personally don't intend to let my children play any of these games until they have passed age 7; until when their tender and delicate minds have been inculcated with the right stuff. I suggests you take those kids off those games. I must submit however that not all kids who play these violent games turn out to be violent adults.

 

[Francisco23]

I don't think it's ok for little kids to play adult games. What is the rating system for if not to keep young kids from playing adult games. They complain about games being too violent for young kids, but you have parents out there who don't stop their kids from playing these games. I think that is where the problem lies. I think it would be best if they made sure that kids couldn't get to those games that way they wouldn't have to worry about thrm playing anything other than a kiddie game.

Yea... and we wonder where the deviant behavior of our kids is originating from. Sometimes we have to take the blame off their peers and other influencers, and place the blame on ourselves.

 

[firelily99]

definitely not, young kids should stick with games that are rated for them. When they get older they will have plenty of time to play games for older kids. The games are rated for a reason and parents need to monitor their kids.

 

[Sly14Cat]

Yeah adult games are certainly not for kids, which is why they were branded for adults in the first place. Although children today are in general exposed to a lot more bad stuff the children were, say, 20 years ago, there's no reason to increase their exposure even more. I think the children should wait until they reach the age they should be at when playing those games, it'll just be better for them in general.

 

[The Unlosing Ranger]

I played GTA3 when I was still pretty young and it did nothing for me. As long as the kid is taught that what's going on in these games is wrong and not real, it shouldn't be too much of a problem, though now games are more and more realistic.

Still, the rating boards exist for a good reason!

 

[deathbyprayer]

Although I don't really disagree, but I think kids shouldn't be allowed to play games with adult themes, I mean those games are specifically made for adults of course they're not suitable for kids. Kids are very impressionable at an early age, since they don't have a firm grasp of what's right or wrong, adult themed games might leave a negative impression on the kid, like for example, drugs and smoking, a kid might think that smoking and doing drugs and being on a street gang is cool since his favorite game character is cool, things like that. So as a gamer, be a responsible parent.

 

[Tomba]

I don't believe kids should be playing extremely violent games. Some mature games are fine if parents filter it first. Some games are mature but not to the levels of others. A parent should be able to look up walk throughs and watch a few minutes of that or research the game ahead of getting it. There's a difference between knocking an M Rated game to T by turning off blood and gore and keeping them from online multiplayer and playing something that will be violent regardless like Mad World or Manhunt.

It's really all on the parents to talk with kids, regulate, and actually parent. If they don't want to do the research and look ask around, stick to the ratings. Those ratings have been around since Sega upped the ante for violence in games...meaning over 20 years now. Use it.