Fifteen primary schools and one secondary academy in Nantwich, Cheshire, have sent a letter to parents warning them that if they let their children play Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto and other mature rated games, they will be reported to the Police and Social Services.
“Several children have reported playing or watching adults play games which are inappropriate for their age and they have described the levels of violence and sexual content they have witnessed: Call Of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Dogs Of War and other similar games are all inappropriate for children and they should not have access to them,” stated the letter.
“If your child is allowed to have inappropriate access to any game or associated product that is designated 18-plus we are advised to contact the police and children’s social care as it is neglectful.”
It should be noted that although children buying an 18 rated game is illegal, playing one is not.
“We are trying to help parents to keep their children as safe as possible in this digital era. It is so easy for children to end up in the wrong place and parents find it helpful to have very clear guidelines,” explained Mary Hennessy Jones, the head who drafted the letter.
Whilst the action of the headteacher are rather drastic, many parents completely ignore the age ratings on video games and the launch of the new generation of consoles, games are more lifelike than ever. Â Whilst you could argue Call of Duty is nothing more than a digital version of the age old playground game, cops and robbers, there are some games that could really affect young minds. I’m thinking in particular of horror games, the DLC for The Evil Within gave me nightmares for a few days after.
Do you think the school has overreacted, or parents of primary school children needed reminding just how adult some games are?
Source: The Guardian / SkyÂ
Avenger
A bit of a over-reaction to bring social services and the police into it. It’s interesting that the school are even thinking about the issue though. I would hope that they’d be thinking of children influencing each other, and therefore maybe they could look to disciplinary action within the school and chat with parents instead of going to town on the issue.
I completely agree with Philbert8’s comment. Getting some parents to give a toss, and the fact that we don’t fully realise what we put in our minds. Summed it up in one.
a inferior race
The problem from the school’s point of view is that they can be accused of neglect if they do not take steps to prevent children playing games that are unsuitable.
bunimomike
Agreed. I guess as long as it only acts as a “red flag” then that’s fine. It’s a small part in a far bigger picture and might not be any problem at all – with certain cases.
TSBonyman
Agree with the above, It might sound a bit drastic but someone needed to take the initiative.
JR.
What kind of dumb ass parent lets their primary school aged children play GTA or COD??? Bad parenting makes me sad.
Pitcher-T
I had a parent (or an 8 year old) say to me at work, “have you read this article about Minecraft, they say it may be bad for kids but I would rather they play that than Grand Theft Auto”
To which I said “they shouldn’t be playing gta anyway” Only to get the response “yeah but they do anyway”
Growing up I payed gta before I w turned 11 and I was fine with it. The problem I see now however is the realism in games has just gone through the roof. It makes me feel ill when you see someone get stabbbb on a street in gta. As it looks so real.
Andrewww
Letting young children play drastic adult games, which we adults love, is a no-go. So if it takes drastic measures, as only that works to get some attention nowadays, I’m fine with it. Looks like they got attention all over the world… :o)
doomsday619
But schools are allowed to teach our children as young as 11 about rape??
Tony Cawley
There’s a real difference between education and graphic entertainment though hey?
Carrot381
Is it just me who thinks this is a non-story?
It sounds as though a small number of kids have reported playing these games so the academy chain (which covers all school years) have indiscriminately sent a letter to every single parent. I firmly believe the vast majority of parents are very sensible about what they let their kids play/read/watch etc.
Tony Cawley
Sadly, your firm belief is incorrect. I teach, and every single one of the kids I teach, bar none, has been playing adult rated games from an age which is way too young.
Carrot381
What age do you teach?
Tony Cawley
16-19 but talking to them they’ve all been playing cod and gta for years. Since modern warfare.
Avenger
Yeah, when I was at school quite a few other children were playing GTA, so clearly their parents are not aware or don’t care. When I met my friends at college, it was clear they had been playing games like CoD and GTA for years as well, although their take on it was ‘it doesn’t harm you’.
Starman
I think some parents don’t realise how far games have improved since they last played them. I doubt many would buy their kids a horror movie to watch but think nothing of letting them play 18 rated games.
3shirts
I’m sure this is a big part of it.
I remember someone on here (Lee?) saying how someone on Mumsnet once posted to ask if they should let their young teen play Black Ops. He told them about the scene where you put broken glass in the guys mouth and punch him in the face to torture him. Cue loads of replies from mums (and dads) who had no idea that kind of thing was in a game!
They see the online running shooting stuff in which there is rarely much emotional attachment to any characters. They don’t realise how the offline storylines are often very mature in nature, not just through violence, sex, or drugs but through deeper emotional storytelling.
Forrest_01
‘Dogs of War’? That is one game I have not heard of!
Also, “Whilst you could argue Call of Duty is nothing more than a digital version of the age old playground game, cops and robbers” surely that’s Battlefield Hardline isn’t it? :)
socya
Totally agree with the schools on this one. I used to sell games and the onus was all on us to stop them being sold to minors. Parents often bought age restricted games for their kids and handed them straight over in front of us. Meanwhile we risked prison and a many thousand £ plus fine for doing the same thing.