My 10 year old son wants to play Grand Theft Auto? His friends have the game but I feel its too graphic.?

Question

My husband and I feel that it is too much for a 10 year old, with the drugs, s*x, "adult situations" and violence all presented in the game. We are young parents so we are hip to these type of games, where as the older parents are kind of oblivious. The problem is that alot of his friends have the game and they are also 10 and my son is feeling left out.

Answer 1

You're his parent, not his friends' parent so you make the rules for him and your house, not his friends.  If you have rules about what kinds of games he is allowed to play or not then stick to it. If you feel a game is too graphic or violent for him (and it sounds like this one is) then say NO and mean it. When he goes to a friends house maybe clue the other parents in that "we don't allow that game because we fell it's too violent and graphic and we would appreciate it if he doesn't play it at your house either when there to see your son."   I find most of the time parents that have that junk in their house don't really take time to check the appropriateness for their child on things and give in because they think all the other kids have it or because they just want to give kids whatever they want to keep them happy because they work alot or rarely see them.  To me that is not parenting, that's irresponsible.  It's right up there with taking young kids to movies that are PG and PG13 that have violent scenes, language or images in them.

Answer 2

He'll probably play it with his friends, but you can still refuse to let him own it.  Just because the other parents screwed up by not having a clue what the game is like doesn't mean you have to follow suit.  Talk to your son.  He may not appreciate fully why you won't allow it, but at least he will know you have taken a solid position on the issue.

Answer 3

Absolutely not.  It is violent and graphic, and you will be setting unhealthy groundwork just as he enters his formative years.  Here's a content description:

"breaking-and-entering, theft, car-jacking, train-jacking, police corruption, vigilantism, illegal drugs, pimping, gang warfare, arson, assault and mass-murder game"

Your child can't buy pornography or a gun, but you'll let him sit in front of a training module? He's not just watching the violence, he is directing it.

Call the other kids' parents and tell them you do not want your son exposed to the game or he won't be allowed at their homes, and if they don't understand why, EXPLAIN IT TO THEM.  The child who gets shot by a kid who plays the game and doesn't understand the IRL ramifications might be yours.

Answer 4

Yeah! just let the kid play his games! it won't affect hislife as long as you're good parents, and  it isn't that bad!

Answer 5

Grand Theft Auto, have you seen the game and what it is about? i sure wouldn't let my kids play games like that. Look for the Ratings on the back of the games, and use your judgment his 10 the game has Guns, lots of Violence, would you really want to corrupt your son at 10? also ya he may play them at his friends house but all you gotta do is talk to the other kid's parents and tell them that your son isn't allowed to play that, and they will have to respect it and not let him play there either.

Answer 6

its just a game my brother has been playing it since he was about 8 and it hasnt effected him, and he hasnt copied anything hes seen, hes 11 now and mature enough to know better. the game isnt as bad as it looks, theres no s*x or drugs involved as its not a movie or anything, just some violent scenes but its just a game and not real people. but its your choice as you are the parents. maybe play it with him so you can see what its like for yourself. if you arent happy with it then you are in charge so dont allow him to play it if you arent happy.

Answer 7

Let him play, but watch while he's playing and talk to him about it.  My 10 year old boy has been playing GTA Vice City since he was 7 or 8, under supervision.  We talk to him about how it's fake and just entertainment.   Also, you don't want him going over to a friend's house and playing without supervision because there are cheats and skins (I think) and easter eggs that can be quite graphic.

Two more notes:  One is that my son is the LEAST violent kid out there.  If you have a kid prone to violence, watch him very closely with the violent games and always talk to him if he tries to act the game out.  And two, my son played it for a while and is now on to other games like all the Wii games, Guitar Hero and other non-violent games.  He's just over GTA.  

IMO, if you keep your kid away from violent games, they become obsessed with them even more.

Answer 8

..."who" makes the rules in your house....?  (a 10 year old...?)

Answer 9

Tell the boys parents that your child is not allowed to play that game because it is too violent. Maybe the parent will forbid there child to play it while your child is there. Tell him no that he is not to play it . He maybe disappointed, but you are his parents, and are in control. There are other games that you can rent or buy that are suitable and real fun for his age. Have him take one to his friends house to play instead. But in the summer time, I would rather have my kids doing something besides playing video games all day. Mine kids have one but they hardly play them. They are learning games and my kids are 6 and7 . My kids play outside and get exercise, but if it's too hot and you don't have a pool or a slip n' slide ,find other ways to entertain. Make crafts, go on a nature hunt, play board games, bake cookies , and any kind of sport  they like to play.

Answer 10

let him play it when i was little i begged my parents for it and they got me it its not that bad depending on whick one you got san andres is by far the most violent i suggest the lighter vice or liberty city

Answer 11

Don't let him play. It's rated M for mature, and it's about the equivalent of a rated R movie. There's guns, s*x, violence, and drugs, and a 10 year old just can't handle that properly.

Answer 12

it is graphic but no nudity and it depends on how mature he is

Answer 13

Do not give in on this. This is the perfect opportunity for you to teach your son that you have high morals and values and are not willing to compromise those based on what other people do. When he gets older you want him to have the ability to say no to drugs when others are saying yes, to say no to s*x when others are saying yes. If you allow him to get this game based on the fact that others have it, you are sending the wrong message that he should follow what others do even when it is not appropriate.

I would explain to him that you think it's sad these other parents would allow that but that giving your child what they want isn't always being a good parent. Sometimes being a good parent means saying no and having a good reason. Too bad so many parents are weak when it comes to this sort of thing.

and when he goes to his friends home, you make it clear to him and the parents that your son is not to play that game.

Answer 14

No way.  and make sure his friends parents know that you don't want him playing or watching someone else play that game.  It's rate 18 and older for a reason.  One of the problems I have is that I don't allow my son to do certain things, but he goes to friends houses and their parents are a lot more permissive.  Most parents will respond to your request, but if they don't its time to pick new friends.  Gotta keep your standards high.

Answer 15

You sound like great parents.

This is a wonderful time for your son to learn that sometimes, the answer is "no," even when every other kid's parents are saying "yes."  

Believe me, you are going to be thankful you have what are called "standards."

Be well.

Answer 16

it is a bad game for that age range cause it as suggestive things that 10 yr olds should not even be thinking plus a lot of T&A action

Answer 17

It is very hard to protect your child when his friends are allowed to do things that he can't. But it is important that you stick to your guns, so to speak.

I am having the same type of problems in raising my 4 year old grandson. He has a friend who lives across the street and his friend is 5 months older than he is. His friend is allowed to watch movies that are rated P.G. 13 while he isn't. I have taught him that he cannopt watch anything that is rated P.G. 13 and he will ask what something is rated before he watches it. If they tell him something is rated P.G. 13, he will tell them he can't watch it and he will come home.

A child does not understand the boundries you set for them but it is very important that you set them. All parents feel differently about these things and you need to explain to him that what you are doing is what you feel is best for him.

I feel that letting him play something with that type of content is almost like authorizing the behavior as being alright. That opens a new can of worms that although he wouldn't think about now, it may come up later.

Have a talk with your son and offer him some alternatives that may be acceptable to him.

I know how hard it is to raise your child to have different standards than his friends but with patience and time and a lot of discussion, you will be able to get through it.

If it helps any, I think you and your husband are doing the right thing.

Answer 18

don't !!!

he is just 10 years old for god sake.. keep him away from the xbox360 or ps3 !!!

Answer 19

i think you should let him play because trust me you don't want him playing the game behind your back right. or buy him a game like it. tel him that instead of that game i will buy you any other 2 games. brib him it usually works with my nieces and nephews.

Answer 20

dont let him play!

Answer 21

Don't cave in, he's too young. Also ensure when he goes to a friend's house that he doesn't play there - let the parent(s) there know ahead of time.

Most boys just want to play this type of game because of the racing and music - there are other racing games rated E which he can play.

Answer 22

If he's feeling left out b/c his friends play GTA and you won't let him, tell him to find friends who play Guitar Hero instead.  Feeling left out isn't the end of the world, and it's certainly not a reason to give in to wants of your child when you know better.  :)

Answer 23

hello

My 12 year old son has been begging for grand theft auto. I said "no" tons of times and that he already has a ton of games.

It's okay your doing the right thing.

Answer 24

dont let him play!

if u allow him to play..it will not be a big deal that ur son demands for a gun at 12 years..

its a very cruel game ..

it has a parental advice for 18 years and above!!

Answer 25

A game isn't going to make your kid psychotic but it will desensitize him to violence. If he likes the game at 10 years old IMO there is something wrong with him anyways no offense. That game offends me and I'm pretty d**n liberal. h**l I love Gears of War but when it comes to re-in-acting violence in everyday life like settings it bothers me more than killing alien hordes. It's chock full of the F word too.

Answer 26

Grand Theft Auto 3 is just right for ur kid as long as u monitor him the later versions have a lot of inappropriate stuff.

Answer 27

Don't do it.... Unless you are ok with your son pretend raping a hooker, then killing her, that is. I think I'm a pretty cool parent too, but there's gotta be a line. For me, simulated rape is definitely one.

Answer 28

Well I think you should let your boy play it. He will play it anyway in his friends house etc... He will just play it for a few weeks and he'll be bored of it anyway. But if you don't let him play it, he will feel like a loser and this will affect him much more than this game will.