Why do we let kids play Rated M games?

[Anonymous]

Have we really become a society that allows technology to raise our kids? I mean, GTA V is rated M and I've heard my son tell me there are kids as young as 12 years of age, playing the game. It's bad enough theyr'e on PSN and Xbox Live, but why are kids playing these games in the first place? Do parents just not care anymore?

[Anonymous]

"We" don't. Some people do. I know it's frustrating.


Three of the seven boys in his SECOND GRADE class play Assassin's Creed. I thought they might be lying, but one kid's mom posted on facebook how much he loved it.

However, I still am skeptical that "all" the kids are doing it. My son told me he tells others that he plays it, too, because he doesn't want to be left out. We don't have any sort of gaming system. I'm sure there are other kids like him out there.

[Anonymous]

Who's "we"? Do you let your children play games rated M? I don't.

[Anonymous]

My kids don't play any games at all like that - as in, no xbox, no wii, regardless of rating. He's almost 7.

[Anonymous]

My deprived 11 & 13 year old have a 8 year old Wii. They don't touch it, it's not even hooked up.

[Anonymous]

This isn't an issue at our house, but here's a related question: do you talk to your kids about what games they are allowed to play at friends' houses?

[Anonymous]

Yep, there are so many elementary school kids and middle school kids in and around Vienna playing these. What the hell is wrong with you parents??

[Anonymous]

Have you ever played a video game? Unfortunately, you cannot judge a game by the rating. For example, most parents are fine with Halo. It carries the same rating as GTA, a game that shouldn't be in anyone's house. They are very, very different yet both received the same Rated M label. Parents are uninformed. You need to play with your child before you decide what is and is not appropriate. If you decide not to allow a game, use the opportunity to explain your reasoning to your child. Banning all video games or all rated M games just makes them attractive. It becomes like crack to those kids. I've seen it. We have an XBox that my kids might play once or twice a week. My youngest (12) has a friend who doesn't have video games at home. All that child wants to do when he is here is play XBox. It's gotten to the point where my son doesn't even invite him over anymore.

[Anonymous]

No you don't have to play them. It's really ok to just say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have we really become a society that allows technology to raise our kids? I mean, GTA V is rated M and I've heard my son tell me there are kids as young as 12 years of age, playing the game. It's bad enough theyr'e on PSN and Xbox Live, but why are kids playing these games in the first place? Do parents just not care anymore?

Why do parents allow their kids to play or do things they shouldn't? You really want to know? You want the real answer? It's because many parents in this day in age just don't care enough to put in the time to raise their kids properly.

That is why. Need some free time? Stick an iPad in front of your kid - done. Not feeling like being a parent? Turn on the television - done. A larger and larger portion of today's parents are becoming lazier and lazier.

[Anonymous]

Never in my house. I have 17 and 15 year old boys.

[Anonymous]

"We" don't allow our children to play rated M games, nor are they allowed at their friends' houses. Yes, we check on that stuff.

--parent of a 13 and 9 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever played a video game? Unfortunately, you cannot judge a game by the rating. For example, most parents are fine with Halo. It carries the same rating as GTA, a game that shouldn't be in anyone's house. They are very, very different yet both received the same Rated M label. Parents are uninformed. You need to play with your child before you decide what is and is not appropriate. If you decide not to allow a game, use the opportunity to explain your reasoning to your child. Banning all video games or all rated M games just makes them attractive. It becomes like crack to those kids. I've seen it. We have an XBox that my kids might play once or twice a week. My youngest (12) has a friend who doesn't have video games at home. All that child wants to do when he is here is play XBox. It's gotten to the point where my son doesn't even invite him over anymore.

Halo is EXTREMELY violent. Large guns, shooting at people. I would hope that would be rated M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never in my house. I have 17 and 15 year old boys.

And out of your house?

Your boys are big enough to make decisions about what they read, watch and play.

[Anonymous]

My 11yo and 7 yo are not allowed, so we are not your we.