Am I too overprotective of my Son?

cheepskate_2

No wrong. There is nothing about who it can be played by, just who can buy it. Same as alcohol, cant be bought by under 16's /18's but no law on who can drink it
me

cheepskate_2

Valli, Maybe the OP's son is going back to the children, mouthing off about how they are not brought up correctly, as his mum said, who knows.

mrcow

cheepskate wrote: »

No wrong. There is nothing about who it can be played by, just who can buy it. Same as alcohol, cant be bought by under 16's /18's but no law on who can drink it
me

Because it is deemed inappropriate for young children.

Just like no responsible parent would allow their 11 year old to watch a Saw movie, neither would they allow them to play Call of Duty.

The guidlines are there for a very good reason - not for fun or just to keep some box-ticker in a job.

Madmel

Whilst I have some sympathy for the OP, I feel her stance is claustrophobic.

We allowed our girls to watch Life of Brian, rated 15 when they were 7 and 9. The OP would probably have the vapours, but we watched it with them and explained it to them and they loved it. They are big Python fans anyway and the following year we took them to see Spamalot. Equally, they have both read all the Harry Potter books so I let them watch the DVDs that had 12 ratings or whatever they were even though they were technically too young.

I have also shown them some clips on YouTube, mostly comedy, which again they loved. They are now really into Not the Nine O'Clock News, Royle family and lots of other fairly harmless stuff. DD2 saw The King's Speech as it was a 12a, although she was only 10. The only reason I could find for the rating was the stream of F words - as DD pointed out, going in the car with me taught her far more fruity language than that . At the end of the day, it's a balance. Nobody gets it perfect, but they have learned the art of negotiation. If there is any doubt, we do some research and explain it.

In the OP's position, if her DS is asked whether or not he has seen something, surely a better response than "no" is to say enthusiastically "not yet, but have you seen that clip on YouTube where .....". It deflects and may well give the bullies something to think about.

marisco_2

cheepskate wrote: »

Marisco, You make very dangerous sweeping statement

Get over yourself. I think it is very concerning that you dont think it odd that 11 and 12 year olds are allowed to watch !!!!!! and play and watch x rated games and films. These same children are then turning into bullies. That says way more about you than my opinions say about me.

Raise your kids however you like but if I think children are being dragged up I will say so. If you dont like my opinion then ignore it. I have no need to justify it any further.

cheepskate_2

So Mr Cow all French people are irresponsible parents in your eyes.

mrcow

Madmel wrote: »

Whilst I have some sympathy for the OP, I feel her stance is claustrophobic.

We allowed our girls to watch Life of Brian, rated 15 when they were 7 and 9. The OP would probably have the vapours, but we watched it with them and explained it to them and they loved it. They are big Python fans anyway and the following year we took them to see Spamalot. Equally, they have both read all the Harry Potter books so I let them watch the DVDs that had 12 ratings or whatever they were even though they were technically too young.

Something rated 12(A) is really quite different to something rated 18.

Mind you - Life of Brian has the "C"word in it - being shouted really loudly by John Cleese at least once. And the F-word. I wouldn't let my 7 year old watch it.

There are far better things that they could watch at their age. The Life of Brian will still be there when they are 13/14.

Valli

cheepskate wrote: »

Valli, Maybe the OP's son is going back to the children, mouthing off about how they are not brought up correctly, as his mum said, who knows.

Maybe he is; maybe he needs some guidance on how to deflect comments. But some kids are pack animals and will round on someone 'different'. It takes a strong-minded kid to be the different one, however they are different.

Tiddlywinks

cheepskate wrote: »

No wrong. There is nothing about who it can be played by, just who can buy it. Same as alcohol, cant be bought by under 16's /18's but no law on who can drink it
me

Oh for goodness sake - you'd give booze and fags to an 11 year old??? Is that your comparison.

Anyway, it *is* an offence to buy alcohol for a minor...

http://www.westmercia.police.uk/news/news-articles/police-warning-to-adults-buying-booze-for-underage-youngsters.html

Just tell me... why do you think there are age categories for these games if it's not to act as a warning of the content (and appropriate age of user).

mrcow

cheepskate wrote: »

So Mr Cow all French people are irresponsible parents in your eyes.

Stop being silly. You either want a sensible discussion or you don't. If you allow your young children to play such games, then fine. I think that if you do, it's poor parenting.

There are far better/more constructive things that your children could be doing with their time. You just need to put the time and effort in to start enforcing and encouraging it (sadly that's too much effort for some).