“Children as young as four are acting out scenes from ultra-violent computer games in the playground, teachers warned today.”
“Pupils in reception classes are mimicking scenes of murder and bloodshed after playing 18-rated games including Grand Theft Auto and Call Of Duty.”
Look. Can we just say this one final time. They should not be playing 18 rated games, the only way a four year old can get hold of Grand Theft Auto IV is if his parents buy him a copy.
“Alison Sherratt of Riddlesden St Mary’s primary in Keighley said “research has shown violent computer games can make teenagers more aggressive but no research has been done on the effect on younger children. She said: “If teens find it difficult to separate fiction from the fact of their virtual personalities, how are my four and five-year-olds supposed to read and cope?”
To the best of our knowledge, no such research exists.
“General secretary of the ATL, Mary Bousted, warned that violent computer games are having a damaging effect on the ‘tender young minds’ of children.”
“Dr Bousted said: “What we are talking about, first of all, is the amount of time children spend locked in their room. The fact that children spend hours playing computer games means they’re not interacting, they’re not playing and not taking exercise.”
AARGGGHHHHH!!! Who’s fault is that? Video games? NO! Parents! To quote Rene from ‘Allo ‘Allo: “Stupid woman!”
“She added that it is very difficult for age restrictions on video games to be enforced.”
No it’s not difficult at all. You know your the age of your child, is he under aged four? Yes? Then he shouldn’t be playing GTA. That’s what the big red ’18’ sign on the front is for.
Source: The Evening Standard
uncleniccius
Gaming and exercise should both be allowed (and enforced in ‘exercise) but this research is tosh.
bmg_123
I started playing GTA when I was 9. Have I turned out bad? In my opinion, no. In fact, I’m on track for a few As in my GCSEs, if that’s anything to go by. People like this really grind my gears…
uncleniccius
I’m in the exact same boat as you. If anything, I have matured due to gaming, and I’ve never been drunk (I am only 14), never smoked, never killed anyone, never done drugs. I blame the daily mail for all the gaming hate..
Origami Killer
Same here but for me no joke in that I have been playing GTA from a much earlier age, maybe 6. Look at me, doing my A2’s and off to Uni hopefully in September. Im social, exercise regularly – gym and reffing. All this research is utter bullshit. All down to the parenting.
Jamie Solo
Same idea for me too. I played the original GTA when it came out thanks to my older brothers and what am I doing? Killing people? No, I’m halfway through Uni for a Law degree. Let them research tha- oh wait! It goes against the message they want to put out so they won’t!
KeRaSh
Same here. Played the original GTA and some Ewsident Evil games when I was around 10-12 and I turned out fine. Girlfriend, good job, lots of friends, in shape, etc…
If anything I’m the calmest of all the people I know.
We must be the exception, right? ;)
UKZ-N3M1515
Ive been playing GTA since i was about 6 and im awaiting court orders for man slaughter. I kid.. Ive turned out ok, I think? Besides, kids pretending they have guns doesn’t mean they will shoot somebody, when i was a kid i played army everyday! Still would but I think it would be frowned upon…
The Lone Steven
Of course, video games are to blame. Not the parents, you know, the PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN! There is a bloody good reason why age ratings exist. It’s not aimed at Kids and thus is not suitable for them. I doubt that the parents would let their kids watch porn at a young age.
Also, i don’t know what planet she is on, but every shop requires ID if you look like you are under 21. I doubt a 4 year old can get away with pretending to be 18.
Games are not to be used to raise your fecking kids!
bmg_123
“Games are not to be used to raise your fecking kids!” – I think that’s exactly the problem. Parents like this just don’t seem to understand how to interact with children… When I was 4 I spent the day around my parents and friends, maybe having a little time in the evening to play Pokemon on my game boy colour…good times.
BLAGGER
Yeah this is a major problem, most kids are just wheeled in front of the game and left there as it keeps them quiet (I have 3 kids aged 2, 4 and 7 and therefore can see how why people do this) The main difference with myself and other parents I know is that I have been playing video games for about 30 years and take a keen interest in what my children play.
I also explain to my kids about certain elements of the game and also (especially with the eldest) go into great lengths about the creative process of how they are made. My son who is 7 is absolutely fascinated by ‘Killzone’ but he has never played it, what he loves is the design of the Helghast and the ships, he even has the figures in his room, but fully understands why he can’t play it because in his own words “it’s too bloody and an 18!” yet I don’t see there being a problem with looking at the artwork and having the merchandise, after all there is very little difference between these figures and action men!
I also teach Concept Art for video games at an FE college and am responsible for recruitment and interviews and the amount of parents who come along that have no idea what their kids play is shocking. Most also confess that they know nothing about gaming….and dare I say that most of the early teen I’ve interviewed like this usually have a one word response when I ask them their favourite game and it’s a grunt of “CoD” (I’m not trying to flame CoD here or it’s fans but it has become a running joke at our college about the lack of intellect that these kids – and parents – have when it comes to gaming) The flip side is of course the parents who do care and also game with their kids. Straight away the students have a much wider understanding of gaming as a whole from the era of the spectrum through to modern gaming culture.
Anyway I’m probably going off on a major tangent (a trait of mine!) but to round it up is really parents need to be involved and if the say ‘they don’t get it’ then the solution is simple….pick up a f*cking controller and have a go and actually interact with your children, and if you don’t want to do that then don’t have children in the first place!
BLAGGER
sorry about the poor grammar with this post, I assure you I am a teacher but I’m also trying to parent whilst posting (1 nappy, 2 drinks and a fight stopped during typing!) – must make a mental note proof read before posting to the world! :(
Forrest_01
I wouldn’t worry too much – I have seen a LOT worse! :)
Mike
You were raised by Video Games, Steven, and look how you turned out…. o.0 :P
The Lone Steven
*slaps Mike* I only killed half of Wales back when they were having the luck of the Welsh, and built a deathstar. :P
Joking aside, i wasn’t raised by video games and i played Vice City at age 12, didn’t cause me to become a violent thug as i’m a pretty decent guy who is very polite. It comes down to the person and if the parents know if their child can tell the difference between a game and real life.
They are not however 24/7 unpaid babysitters unless EA releases a Babysitting robot.
I think i still get asked for ID for 15/16 games but i don’t mind. But if they ask me for ID for a 12 game, then i will take over the earth. :P
Origami Killer
Just to point out I still get ID for 12 rated games when Im 18 and am just under 6ft. There is no way a 4 yr old can get an 18 rated game other than through their parents lol
KeRaSh
Haha, I would probably flip a table if I ever have to show my ID for a 12 rated game. :D
The only time I ever lost my cool was when I bought a 16 rated game at age 21 and the cashier said I was too young to buy it. At least I taught someone how to count that day…
Origami Killer
haha they are really pathetic in the stores sometimes.
Forrest_01
Fun fact – I have been ID’d once in my lifetime. On my 18th. When i had been going to the club regularly since i was 15.
Didn’t have ID, so i didn’t get in. :(
Still don’t have ID now actually… Unless i carry my passport everywhere. Can’t say i’ve ever needed it though.
Origami Killer
Lucky you! Plenty of times for me. Feels good when I buy a drink and don’t get ID’d!
Forrest_01
I have had a beard since i was about 10 though. :)
JamesF
The problem is that (as an extreme generalisation) people no longer want to take responsibility. Console manufacturers have done their part by adding parental controls, the games industry has done its part by correctly certificating games but if 8-year old, tartrazine fueled Johnny chucks a big enough paddy because his friends are playing COD and he isn’t, a parent will cave.
Crocadillian
As soon as i saw the word, “Teacher” I was already grasping the sides of my laptop.
I would make sure to leave some blame for the newspaper, they probably picked their quotes very carefully to create this wonderfully BS agenda. I would discuss this further, but I know there’s literally no point, because this newspaper article is so thick and devoid of any substance, although i’ve just thought of something sarcastic and relevant:
“THEY SHOULD BE PLAYING LOTS AND LOTS OF SPORT”.
bmg_123
Because look how well George Best turned out, eh?
DJ Judas
And popular professional sports are so often pillars of proper morality.
Pete_UK
Even without age ratings, if your kid wants a game then spending 10 – 20 mins on YouTube looking at reviews will let you know if it’s suitable or not. There really is no excuse, it’s all down to lazy AFK (Away From Kids) parenting.
Whitish-black Fox
I fail to see how “mimicking scenes of murder and bloodshed” is a new thing among children. It’s called playing. when I was a kid there were plenty of times were we would play games involving ‘shooting’ each other, only difference was games weren’t the massive scapegoat they are now. This woman has found an illogical solution to a problem that doesn’t exist
Crocadillian
I’m surprised that Nerf guns haven’t been targeted, considering their popularity among kids, but then they aren’t a potential threat to their business now :l
andymclelland
I remember playing army at 8 years old at primary school, 21 years ago no one really cared that the kids in the play ground were running round making gun noises, only that they were running round.
BIGAL-1992
This story is so completely nonsensical that I wonder what the hell are people doing in this day and age. It’s very simple really; if there’s a gun on the cover of the game and your child is younger then the age limit on the front, side and back of the box, don’t buy it. If I was a parent and my child wanted me to buy a game for them that they were too young to play, I wouldn’t buy it no matter how much they complained. I was never allowed to buy a game that I was too young to play unless I was, say, three months under the age limit, in which case I was trusted in knowing the difference between reality and fiction and also because I was almost old enough to buy it myself. A sizable amount of parents, however, never really seem to care what their buying for the kids until they’re at home and see them playing said game on TV. Another problem is that people then to use something as a scapegoat, as of the last few years videogames, as a way to defer the failings in society that they’ve failed to deal with. The industry has done all it can on the matter, but unless the general public take notice about age ratings on videogames, well then this matter will continue to last.
aerobes
A logical and easy to target scapegoat. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. *shrugs*
grogy86
It’s the parents fault for firstly buying the child a console and then secondly buying the child a game over their age limit. In game stores and supermarkets children cannot buy these kind of games so ultimately the responsibility is with the parents