As a parent, do you enforce video game ratings?

1. 85

   M. T. Dremerposted 11 years ago

   As a parent, do you enforce video game ratings?
   
   There are way too many children under 12 playing games like call of duty and grand theft auto. As a parent, do you use the video game rating system (ESRB) to control the content your child sees? I tried very hard to get my nephew to play the right games growing up, but it was a battle with his father (and his friends) who were not as familiar with the system as I was. It was sad to hear that he had played halo and left 4 dead before he was 10.

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2. 65

   cfinposted 11 years ago

   Heck yeah! Similar to movies, Clearly some things are not for children. It's kind of common sense and decent parenting. Some games have sexual content, violence and worse.

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3. 93

   Elderberry Artsposted 11 years ago

   Generally I do. My 6 year old only plays age appropriate games or ones that I have played and are ok, He likes Lego Pirates of the Caribbean and the Guitar Hero games which I feel are pretty harmless. He also likes RPG games like the old Pokemon gameboy games. I wouldn't let him play something like call of duty though and he is afraid of games like that, they scare him. My older son is 15 and I let him play any games as he is sensible and understands they are just games etc. He was not allowed to when he was younger though.

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   1. 93

      Elderberry Artsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I really like the Wii console for this reason as there are lots of games for children and families whereas some of the other consoles don't seem to as much and have a lot of violent games more suited to adults.

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4. 60

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   My children are grown but if they were till at home, yes, I would be very watchful of what they play (ratings) and also limit the time daily.

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5. 61

   MichaelJohnMeleposted 11 years ago

   yes I do...I monitor very closely what my children play, watch and/or listen to...but I am not over protective in the slightest. Depending on the child...and were they are mentally...I may let them play, watch and/or listen to something that is rated above their age group.

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6. 81

   peachpurpleposted 11 years ago

   my brother in law buys the video game cds and plays with my son. He chose well. Most of the games suits his age. Winnie the pooh, pixar, dora, grand prix, zuma,etc. No fighting games.

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7. 59

   Skylandersposted 11 years ago

   Yes. My son loves video games and my husband writes the music and sound effects on games. Basically I am surrounded by them. My son is 10 and I don't let him play any mature games. He is happy with Mario, skylanders, lego games etc.
   It is hard, because I know may of his friends have Halo and Call of Duty.

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      cfinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Crazy isn't it? How kids are playing these games, even though they look as real as horror movies. For me its even worse than movies for them because they are controlling it. Lego games are great. I even enjoy those

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8. 0

   ViolinByCourtneyposted 11 years ago

   I am not a parent, but I hope to be one someday. I do not intend to trust ratings for video games, movies, or anything else. In my experience, the criteria used to rate media is subjective and usually different than my own criteria. I have a gun and enjoy target practice, but I do not want to convey to my children that guns and other weapons are toys or that portrayals of violence are acceptable entertainment. Growing up, I was not allowed to have toy guns, swords, knives, etc., nor was I allowed to play with sticks, rocks, belts, or other objects if I was using them as a weapon. We were allowed to have water guns and water balloons and play Duck Hunt, and those were the only exceptions.

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