Grand Theft Auto 4 Should 14-year-old Be Able to Play? I"m with Mom: "No!"
One mom seeks advice: At 2 PM at work, I received a call from the assistant principal that my middle school 8th grade son had "purchased" a copy (for $70.00) of a violent video game "Grand Theft Auto 4" ("GTA4" ) that was very recently released (it's April 30, 2008, as I type this) from a classmate whose mother purchased 4 copies for him to distribute to his paying friends at school. No, my son does not have his copy yet - the middleman boy was out sick today.
Yes, I have called the mom of the distributor and told her to keep the copy and my son is out $70 bucks- his tough luck! My husband called the dad of the middleman and also told him our son was not to get his copy.
I am mortified because I do not approve of the content of any of the Grand Theft Auto videogames. My husband told me that I am a hypocrite because I permitted my son to have Call of Duty which is WWII soldiers at battle. However, I think there is a difference between a moral war, WWII, and thugs beating people and raping and murdering prostitutes in a senseless virtual world,
Questions: Is anyone letting their 14 yr old son or daughter have access to this game; My understanding is that, due to the mature "M" rating, a parent must accompany a teen (age 18 or less) and sign a release.
Denise's thoughts: I agree completely with what you did. That game is fine for those that are adults and want to play it. Personally, it's not allowed in my home - adults or kids.
I commend your son's school, what a great job they did keeping you informed!
High quality video games should try and have some high quality family values(here's why) - but I guess that is 'too hard to market'. It just frustrates me to see how fast these things sell and to hear that the other won't. It's simply not true. High School Musical is awesome and more teens were into that then this game. Look at American Idol contestant, Jason Castro. Dreads, sure, that's cool and teens like it. But this college student has high moral fiber. Says in a video interview, "I find the most joy in helping other people and serving. That's where I find value." The tide is turning for the better and values are becoming the 'in thing' for our kids. The people who make these games should take notice.
So, good for you! It's great to see parents standing up for what is morally right for their children and defending their own family values.
From our community of parents: What do you think of these violent video games being used by teens? Is your teen's school this good at communication with you? Share in the comments area.
Related:Youth Violence | Quiz: Are you a pushover parent?
Connect With Denise:Twitter | Facebook | Google+
Yes, I have called the mom of the distributor and told her to keep the copy and my son is out $70 bucks- his tough luck! My husband called the dad of the middleman and also told him our son was not to get his copy.
I am mortified because I do not approve of the content of any of the Grand Theft Auto videogames. My husband told me that I am a hypocrite because I permitted my son to have Call of Duty which is WWII soldiers at battle. However, I think there is a difference between a moral war, WWII, and thugs beating people and raping and murdering prostitutes in a senseless virtual world,
Questions: Is anyone letting their 14 yr old son or daughter have access to this game; My understanding is that, due to the mature "M" rating, a parent must accompany a teen (age 18 or less) and sign a release.
Denise's thoughts: I agree completely with what you did. That game is fine for those that are adults and want to play it. Personally, it's not allowed in my home - adults or kids.
I commend your son's school, what a great job they did keeping you informed!
High quality video games should try and have some high quality family values(here's why) - but I guess that is 'too hard to market'. It just frustrates me to see how fast these things sell and to hear that the other won't. It's simply not true. High School Musical is awesome and more teens were into that then this game. Look at American Idol contestant, Jason Castro. Dreads, sure, that's cool and teens like it. But this college student has high moral fiber. Says in a video interview, "I find the most joy in helping other people and serving. That's where I find value." The tide is turning for the better and values are becoming the 'in thing' for our kids. The people who make these games should take notice.
So, good for you! It's great to see parents standing up for what is morally right for their children and defending their own family values.
From our community of parents: What do you think of these violent video games being used by teens? Is your teen's school this good at communication with you? Share in the comments area.
Related:Youth Violence | Quiz: Are you a pushover parent?
Connect With Denise:Twitter | Facebook | Google+
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