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30 April 2015

Would You Purchase Adult Games For Your Children?



I'm quite strict when it comes to the apps and games the Mini Mes play. I get a notification every time they download something to their Kindle Fire HDs but they know to ask beforehand and I have a thorough look at exactly what it is they wish to play. I don't want them to be subjected to anything inappropriate, mainly to prevent nightmares at their age, and it can be hard for a child to distinguish the difference between reality and the virtual world at times, especially when graphics today are far more advanced than when I was a child. You can never be certain of the long term effects adult themed games can have on young minds either so I'd rather be safe than sorry.

My Voucher Codes recently sent me a survey on gaming habits, as part of their research into how social media and technology impacts our lives, and the results were quite shocking to read in Digital Connect Magazine. As many as 30% of UK parents purchase adult games for their children, with 35% not even playing them beforehand to see if they are suitable. These games often include violence, drugs and sex similar to the games listed below and I would definitely not let the Mini Mes watch or play things that are aimed at those aged 18 and over - however much they may protest in the future. 


Age restrictions are in place for a valid reason, surely?


50% of parents felt that peer pressure was a major factor when it came to children wanting to play adult themed games and 70% were concerned that their children may have access at a friend's house. I, like 23% of those questioned, would not allow my little ones to go to someone's home if they I knew they were going to be playing adult themed games and if I felt they might I would have no issues discussing it with the parents. Although children may feel it is 'so unfair' and tell you that 'all of their friend's do' it is our responsibility to protect them from things that are not aimed at them and I will continue to do so.


Mark Pearson founder of My Voucher Codes said:

“We found the results of our research interesting, the fact that 30% of parents will let their children play adult video games is disturbing, especially without researching them or playing them themselves first to see if they are suitable. We do understand that it can be hard to say no, especially with peer pressure children are under. But age ratings are set for a reason.”

“....Parents are rightly concerned over the effects of adult video games on their children who play them and their children’s friends. Not just the games themselves, but also now the social aspects of playing these games online. It’s important for parents to be fully aware of what games their children can play and the effect it can have on them.”


What are your thoughts on children playing adult themed games?

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26 comments

  1. I was really shocked when my children first started school at just how many under 10s were playing these games and watching films that weren't suitable for children. Children seem to be growing up far too quickly now a days.

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  2. Definately not. I think video games in general are unhealthy for our children

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  3. We are really careful and vet the games the boys want. Sometimes they have had older games,

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  4. Those stats don't surprise me at all but no I wouldn't. Luckily mine are only small so don't play games yet x

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  5. I totally disagree with children be in allowed to play adult games and like you, I certainly wouldn't let my son go round a friends house if I knew they were playing age inappropriate games x

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  6. No way. Never.

    We're not a gaming family, we don't own a PS, WII or Xbox but I'm seriously shocked by some of the names and content of those games. It saddens me when I hear some of my daughter's school friends (age 7) talk about playing Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty. Isn't there enough violence in the world already?

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  7. I would not buy adult games for my children and would be very disappointed if I found out that his friends had bought them and he could play round there's.

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  8. No i would not it dose teach them anything goof at all

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  9. No way. My sons have an Xbox and their games are all age appropriate, Sponge Bob, Skylanders. Only last week their dad brought a PS4, he also brought a few games including Grand Thief Auto, that's a rated 18 game. We have decided like some adult movies, there will be a watershed in place, once the boys are a sleeping then daddy can play.
    As for buying them adult games them that's a NO. If I found out they went to friends where they could play adults games I would fuming.
    I want my children to remain as children.

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  10. We don't let our nieces play games that are for adults - there's just no need, given all the other computer games and non-computer activities that are available.

    They live with my mum, and she never let me play adult computer games or watch adult movies when I was young, except for adult movies she felt were useful to us (e.g. history-based ones) and even then she'd have watched it before hand and if there were any inappropriate scenes she'd mute the tv and have us cover our eyes or leave the room while she skipped through those bits.

    I remember in infant school a new kid turned up and was eagerly telling us all how she'd watched loads of adult horror movies like the Freddy Kruger series and Halloween, and I was just astounded and creeped out by it. As I recall, most of us kids in the school were creeped out by it. We didn't even like hearing her describe the movies to us, let alone want to watch them ourselves.

    To be completely honest about it, I think that kind of thing is verging on (if not being) abuse.

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  11. I don't have children so not too sure I can answer this, but I guess the age related warnings are there for a reason x

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  12. Once they start going to play them at friends houses it gets more difficult to be in control of what they're playing.

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  13. We don't have kids in the house but Ash plays a lot of the games mentioned Mortal Kombat for one is awfully gruesome - I couldn't imagine letting a child play them.

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  14. This is a big worry for me, as my son is really interested in computer games already. Fortunately, he's so obsessed with Minecraft, he won't go near another game at the moment!

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  15. The difficulty in my household is that we have a 6 year gap between sons so while we were very strict with the eldest it's much harder to stop the little one as he sees/plays with his brother.

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  16. I have to admit that we are very cautious with the little ones but our teens (14 & 17) do have adult games but Dad vets them first. They have COD but I won't let them near GTA

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  17. Well obviously not young children but my teenager was playing COD at 14, as were all his friends. He's not a big gamer so wasn't on it all the time and if you trust your child to be sensible and can differentiate between a silly game and reality then It's not that bad IMO.

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  18. No, No and NO! This drives me mental as my 11 year old son is video games mad- as are a lot of his friends. Fortunately he has no interest in the violent Grand Theft Auto type games, but that does leave him feeling left out when that is what a lot of his mates are playing. I would not buy them even if he wanted them, and am gobsmacked that so many of his also 11 year old friends are allowed to play them!
    To be honest I would rather he never played them, but much in the way I let my daughter watch 18 films from about 15/16 (and on occasion 14 if I had seen them first and thought were ok!) I would probably apply a similar approach here - but I hope he never wants them really!!

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  19. We always check suitability before purchasing any game.

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  20. Eldest son is 12, he does play COD and others - on zombie mode (I think it is) NOT the campaigns. Peer pressure is high. I draw the line at GTA though. Kaz x

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  21. To be honest Lydia and Dominic are 7 & 5, Lydia plays sudoku, mahjong and games like that. Dominic has his games on the wii which we research before buying. I think that there are a couple of things that can also be a problem, online gaming with in game communication with unknowns, available in lots of games and the addictive nature of some games esp those involving progression. It's definitely something that I think people should be more concerned about.

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  22. no i wouldn't. childhood doesn't last long. they have plenty of time to be a grown up.

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