Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto: Would you let your 6 year old play?

StrugglingYouth

arfpint wrote: »

I wonder whether the aggression was caused by the content of the game or the playing of the game, I've been playing GTA V and can't get used to the controls, so I'm getting angry at not being able to play the game well enough, rather than becoming aggressive due to the content.

Interestingly, I watched a film called "End Of Watch" last night (about LA cops in a fictional drug bust plot). Great film, but I became really frustrated by my inability to do anything about what was happening on screen. A game however - if done right - can give you the option to make a difference to the story and really gives a sense of gratification.

In the same way that many things are age rated, so are games. It seems that because they're called "games" parents think it refers to something a child would play, which I personally feel is not only incorrect, but also dangerous, as some people will inevitably ignore the big '18' certificate on the box.

We seem to be softening our attitude towards sex, violence and swearing etc in entertainment, but we still need to realise that some things are simply not for kids. GTA V is a perfect example.

On the gratification point, that was my counter argument. Whether violence in games can provide cathartic elements to those who play them. They have been linked to catharsis as well as violence.

Through all my research Id still suggest that it depends on the person in question. Those outlined in my previous post had underlying issues. Id also point out that gun crime in the US is a lot more common as guns are more accessible. Similarly is why we hear more about knife crime in the UK.

TokyoMaru

Absolutely not with what kids are growing up to be like these days...

kaya

I would not encourage my children to play 18 games or watch 18movies , it's called good parenting , however other less competent lazy parents would probably see it as an easy alternative to actually interacting with their child in some constructive way.

Desecrated_Landscape

Yes

I was in primary school when i got the playstation 1 and my parents let me play grand theft auto and CoD wasn't around then but i always remember playing medal of honour and the game starts with a level like the beach scene on saving private ryan. I've owned every GTA game, CoD game and all the saints row games. I have an xbox one now and play BF4 CoD ghosts and will own every major release. I have never committed a violent crime and hold a very decent job, so i see no problem with it. Plus if you use xbox live you hear all the little kids down the mic playing CoD and going by the amount of kids on there a lot of parents do not mind.

JP4672

No

I've been a gamer for over 14 years now and to be honest, if and when I do eventually have kids, I won't let them play games like GTA. Even after all the games I've played and completed, GTA even makes me cringe sometimes. Call of Duty, though, that might as well not be an 18. As long as they're supervised, it should be alright to let them play it.

RedRhino

No

I talk about this quite frequently to some of my partners family that have young kids. I have seen their kids play this game aged 8-5. I was shocked to find out that they were playing it and were overly interested in/to start playing it.

However to put some peace in the minds of those that think 'timmy should of not got the game' - when they are that young, they dont really know what to do in the game. They dont really know what to do in it other than drive around and smash up the cars (and that is literary all they did, till they were arrested). They were even trying to show me one of the simple delivery or car pickup and they could not even do that in the allotted time. I have been a gamer for many years and i have not touched a single GTA game, i have watched others and heard people talk about it, but what they say can happen in that game puts me right off.

COD on the other hand, thats dangerous... when i played one of their titles on the PS2 i had crazy nightmares about that game... had to sell it two days later lol

misterbarlow

my 12 yr old nephew is constantly picked on and laughed at in school because he hasn't played GTA5 as his father wont let him...
he said all his 12yr old friends have it, and play it nightly...

Voydra

No

misterbarlow wrote: »

my 12 yr old nephew is constantly picked on and laughed at in school because he hasn't played GTA5 as his father wont let him...
he said all his 12yr old friends have it, and play it nightly...

I think he may need to reevaluate his friends and be thankful he has a father who actually cares about what his son does.

Gordon_Hose

No

misterbarlow wrote: »

my 12 yr old nephew is constantly picked on and laughed at in school because he hasn't played GTA5 as his father wont let him...
he said all his 12yr old friends have it, and play it nightly...

He needs to find new 'friends'.

Good on his Dad for not letting him play it.

AMG762

I noticed this on youtube, says he is 12 and talking about Call Of Duty Ghosts.

In his comments below he says,"no one gives a **** about age restrictions anymore"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8IAfMqax1U