Should underage gamers play M rated games

[outpost]

Ok, I'm under 18 and I do play violent games. I understand exactly what stern is talking about but I voted it should be up to the person buying probably because I am under 18. I have to say though, the majority of the games I play are rts or strategy games. I <3 adventure games also.I doubt most kids my age would be interested about a game like Civilization

 

[Shippi]

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[UmbrellaMaster]

what happens when a parent buys (lets say GTA:SA for this example) a game for his 12 year old son and then one day sees said son playing this game and promptly stops him, takes away the game, and afterwards files a complaint with the local censor board.

Folks like that I consider ignorant AND bad parents. Not only do they buy the game that they consider unfit for their child in the first place, but the fact that they later file complaint shows they are completely ignorant of what the game actually contains and ignornat of how idiotic they were in the first place to buy the game for their child. The ESRB labels are on the games for a reason, if you're a parent and ignore the labels then are completely shocked at what the game contains, I am shocked at your stupidity.

There's always people out there like this. You won't get past the morons in the crowd. But as a whole I believe the rating system is a good thing and that parents SHOULD still be responsible for what their children see and do. It's called good parenting, and there seems to be a continuing decline in parents that practice it.

This isn't picking on those of you who are parents and are letting your children play M rated games. If you believe your child can handle the games and you KNOW what the rating is and why it's rated that way, more power to you! :thumbs:

 

[CptStern]

I've been playing violent games/watching violent movies for as long as I can remember... and I'd never hurt anyone. But it really does depend on the person. I mean, have a friend who wants to join the army and be a sniper because he wants to shoot people like he does in Ghost Recon...

well he's in for a big surprise ..I think the army wants people to think army life is full of adventure

Ultimately, I think it's up to the parents. If they think that their child is mature enough not to be influenced by violent games they should let them play.

Up to a few weeks ago, my parents let me play anything. Now, thanks to the numerous newspaper articles they've been reading, they think the games I'm playing are going to make me want to kill people. Hmmm.

but you proved my point and disproved your own point: you said your parents let you play anything but as soon as they read what games may do to kids they decided to intervene. In other words your parents didnt do a good enough job of researching wether the games you play are appropriate. So ultimately parents cant fulfill their duty as a parent if they dont follow through and actually take the time to make sure the game they buy for their kid is appropriate. If a parent does his/her job there should be any surprises as to what their kids are viewing/playing.

btw would you parents let you watch a gory movie ..say "Silence of the lambs"? .....would they let you see a porno? (btw I'm assuming you're underage)

 

[Dr. Freeman]

There's always people out there like this. You won't get past the morons in the crowd. But as a whole I believe the rating system is a good thing and that parents SHOULD still be responsible for what their children see and do. It's called good parenting, and there seems to be a continuing decline in parents that practice it.

and because theres always parents out there who do not do their reasearch on such games before buying them for the kids is why the idea of allowing parents to make the decision isn't a good one.

like Stern says...one day a game that pushes the envelope comes along, a columbine scenerio happens and the game will be one of the first things blamed as to why such incident happens.. :|

 

[nick_t]

i'm 16 and my parents don't care. they know i'm not affected by it... although I might be now that I think of it. Lesson is: mostly depressed kids with access to high caliber hunting rifles should be kept away from M games.

 

[Kangy]

Heh.

I'm still just about underage for GTA, so I guess I can still talk from the "trampled underfoot by would-be censors and the blame media" end of the scope. I think that it is up to a parent to ultimately decide what they want their kid to do, for better or worse. However, each and every game should be rated correctly and clearly, and the original content uncensored. If a parent has the stupidity to bitch because their nutcase went and killed himself "just like in that game we bought him...Grand Heist Monorail, or something" they're the only people to blame.

I've been playing games from a young age. My mother played Sonic the Hedgehog 2 with me the whole way through, and we both had great fun. We both took it in turns to go get a high score on Pac Man, and when I was a year or so older, my Dad set up a LAN and played Doom with me and my friend. They knew what I was playing, and ensured I had it drilled in that it wasn't real, and that I knew in reality, what I do in video games isn't to be imitated for no reason. My Dad did have a little joke, and said if the forces of hell ever spawned on our doorstep, I could grab a shotgun and shoot whatever I wanted.

It was fun, and at first (both are too busy, and sadly aren't interested in todays big shot games) it was something we could always do as a family. Parents need to spend time with their kids, actually bonding and teaching them something, rather than spoiling them rotten and ignoring them from 8pm onwards.

 

[Eg.]

i'm 16 and my parents don't care. they know i'm not affected by it... although I might be now that I think of it. Lesson is: mostly depressed kids with access to high caliber hunting rifles should be kept away from M games.

lol, hell video games arent even the main problem, cable has a lot more shit on it then games

band of brothers

saving private ryan

im not saying that tv should be banned, its just that video games need to become less of a focal point we all watch more tv then we do playing video games

 

[Fat Tony!]

3 days late but meh. Nothing wrong with it I suppose, as long as it is rated M for mainly a violent game such as GTA. Games with too much nudity or swearing Is a bit of a different matter you dont want 11 year olds swearing and looking up pr0n

 

[kenyo]

I posted this in the hl2 discussion thread but it was a bit off topic. Discuss:


I dont think a 13 year old should play an M rated game ...it's rated "M" for a reason. I've said before I'll say it again ..retailers need to become more strict when it comes to selling games that are meant for a certain age group. Parents also need to take responsibility for what they buy their kids. I personally believe that there many gamers under the age of 18 that can handle mature themes but that's not the point. Fear of censorship is my motivation.

As it stands we're keeping the morality watchdogs at bay with the ESRB but if we continue to have underaged children buying mature games sooner or later something's going to happen and by some freak circumstance games will be blamed. All hell will break loose and public opinion will turn against games which will lead to some form of censorship. Or worse yet developers will, out of some sort of public moral pressure will self-censor in order not to offend or cause controversy

In the end if we dont self-regulate the game industry some other group will ..and that will come in the form of censorship. Religious groups, parent associations, right wing nutjobs have been clamouring to censor video games for years, and all they need is another columbine type tragedy tied to video games to turn the tide of public opinion against the medium. It destroyed the comic book industry in the 50's, sort of hurt the music industry in the 90's and has threatened on many occasions to come after violent games.

Sorry to all of you below the age of 18 but you have to be sacrificed so that games can continue to push the envelope and continue to grow as an art form without fear of the wackos yelling "games are killing our children" ...you'll thank me later

M and below=13 and below
R and above=13 and above
X and above=18 and above

that is how it should be couse the ratin system is overdone!
rated R is not even that big of deal!
X is the only one that should be restricted at all!
the rating system should be replaced with:
all ages can play/watch/buy all rating sep X!
(sep for younger ages like 9 and below)
13 and above is when it stops affecting the way you act!

 

[Ghost Freeman]

I'm rather undecided on this one...except for...

Just keep 'em off the voice comm

that.