Video games nowadays!

[BTB 500]

There's some stuff in the GTA V missions that's very definitely not child friendly - being required to torture someone by pulling his teeth out with pliers etc.

The free play e.g, driving around and interacting with the world is *relatively* harmless in comparison. I still don't let my 9 year old play the game though ... he's very happy with other stuff (Need for Speed, FIFA, Minecraft, various Lego and Disney Infinity games, Plants vs Zombies, etc.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

he's very happy with other stuff (Need for Speed, FIFA, Minecraft, various Lego and Disney Infinity games, Plants vs Zombies, etc.

My son is tricky, he hates minecraft, didn't want forza as it didn't interest him (but loves racing in GTA?) but absolutely loves Lego, the Lego Dimensions present was a hit for him. I like the need for interaction with the pad and builds/characters

All he really does is free play. I should add, in the past year he's owned GTA (he had it on the 360) he's never got past the Yacht mission as he just free roams and does the pop up novelty missions. He loved the snow and fireworks that they've got going on at the moment for Christmas

 

[John]

The age debate is an interesting one.

I've seen there have been some copy-cat incidents from individuals who have taken inspiration from video games etc. but I suspect they were already pre-disposed to it and it was only a matter of time before they had inspiration from a source at some stage.

I remember playing Barbarian on the C64 when I was 11/12 when it came out in 1987. That portrays chopping heads off amongst other things, and indeed Deathwish too a year or so earier where you blow up prostitutes.

OK, it was before ratings / PEGI etc. but it didn't turn me into a killer.

I feel it is down to the parent to decide what is appropriate for their child based on how mature their child is - which they know best. I don't think you can really generalise.

IMO, 6 would be too young for hardcore sexual content, but it is soft-core in GTA V and so suggestive. Although I remember finding porn mags when out on bikes at around 8/9 years old which I never mentioned to my parents - is it better a child asks about these things and the mystery is removed when the issue crops up...