18 rated games and kids

[fossala]

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/education-resources/student-faqs#4

What is the legal position of a teacher who wants to show pupils a film or video at a higher category than their age?

The BBFC's cinema age ratings only apply legally to licensed cinemas, so it is not illegal for schools to show BBFC-rated videos or DVDs to its pupils of any age. Merely showing an age restricted tape to underaged persons - or allowing them to see one - is not in itself an offence. We would however strongly discourage such a practice unless (a), the children in question are only a year or so below the age stated on the certificate, and (b), there is some kind of serious educational purpose to showing the recording (eg showing a 15 rated Macbeth to 14 year old GCSE English students). Even in those cases, we always recommend that the school should obtain permission from parents or guardians.

Hope that helps.

 

[fossala]

It's one of those laws they'll never really be able to enforce, thankfully. I hate this concept of shielding kids from the real world, only to thrust it all upon them at 18. Up to 18 is precisely the time to learn all about it, IMO.

But as you can see, it's not law.

 

[gb155]

It's one of those laws they'll never really be able to enforce, thankfully. I hate this concept of shielding kids from the real world, only to thrust it all upon them at 18. Up to 18 is precisely the time to learn all about it, IMO.

Sadly tho a kid who hasn't even gone through puberty is being allowed to play gta4, while the parent uses the game as a babysitting device.

That I feel, is really really stretching things.

Shame nothing can be done imho

 

[Rob3rt]

I played GTA when I was a kid, it didn't do me any harm!

 

[fossala]

I also played GTA when I was a teenager, not sure if it was that that did the harm or something else

I think it falls on the parents to be responsible, I have a 5 year old Son that loves to play my PlayStation, but he has his own children's games. As with anything, you have responsible parents and non-responsible ones. It's not the games that are the problem it's the parents.

 

[Rob3rt]

My guess would be that you are much more likely to end up as a bit of an oddball if you are excluded from playing such games and thus mocked at school by your "friends" who are allowed to. Kids can be cruel and as much as you argue that well brought up kids won't tease another, the simple fact is, not in front of you they won't but out of your sight, I bet they would/do.

 

[summerdays]

Whilst I'm not expecting my 12 yo to avoid games rated 18 until he is 18, I don't see the need to buy him any 18 games just because someone else has it. That is exactly the same pressure that is being put on the other parents and I don't want to be the one they are keeping up with. However it becomes much more difficult to control what happens under a different roof and therefore out of your control.

 

[Rob3rt]

I wouldn't buy it because someone else has it, but I would not forbid them from playing it either, if they did it at someone elses house or wanted to save up their "pocket money" and purchase it.

What I mean is, you are likely doing more harm by forbidding it.

 

[Nihal]

I would say it would depend on the game,most Action oriented one(Battlefield,COD,Far Cry)are a wee bit gory,little bad language,games like GTA are bad language and some unwanted contents.I dont play GTA games as they tend to be a bit boring for my like,but i play FPSs.And most FPSs of them have bad language,blood(),guns but they dont have as much vulgar content as GTA stuff.

 

[Nihal]

I played GTA when I was a kid, it didn't do me any harm!

If you played GTA 3 or Vice City,the i would agree with you,but GTA 4 is a bit too much if you play it when you are 10 or something

 

[Rob3rt]

If you played GTA 3 or Vice City,the i would agree with you,but GTA 4 is a bit too much if you play it when you are 10 or something

Having not played any games for approx 2.5 years, I don't know the contents of the latest iteration, but I played them when they were 2D/top down view through to the 1st or 2nd iteration on the PS2.

 

[Nihal]

Having not played any games for approx 2.5 years, I don't know the contents of the latest iteration, but I played them when they were 2D/top down view through to the 1st or 2nd iteration on the PS2.

You don't know GTA 4

 

[coffeejo]

It's illegal to sell age-restricted items to someone below the age limit, and that includes knowing that the adult is buying it for the under-age child. It's not the shop that gets in trouble but the member of staff.

When I worked somewhere that sold DVDs and video games, it was quite an eye opener to discover just how abusive some parents are when you refuse to break the law and risk a massive fine and/or prison sentence just so that the little darling can play a video game.

 

[jayonabike]

I let my 12 yr old Son play COD (not online) but I wouldn't let him play GTA. COD is the only adult rated game he owns I bought.

 

[MrJamie]

Having not played any games for approx 2.5 years, I don't know the contents of the latest iteration, but I played them when they were 2D/top down view through to the 1st or 2nd iteration on the PS2.

I haven't played GTA since the original either, but I wonder if the realism and immersion in games now makes it harder to separate from reality for kids. A bit like Tom and Jerry cartoon violence vs Rambo gore.

The issue I have when 'screening' games for my nephew, is not so much the game but the other players. You hear some incredibly offensive things over PC voice com programs and Xbox Live, and even in online games chat etc.