GTA V Proves a Lot of Parents Still Don't Know or Care About ESRB Ratings

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GTA V Proves a Lot of Parents Still Don't Know or Care About ESRB Ratings

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday September 24, 2013 @05:56AM from the rated-L-for-learn-how-to-be-a-parent dept.

Deathspawner writes "Grand Theft Auto V has shown itself to be potential GOTY material, and has even managed to break a sales record already. But aside from that, the game has also become one of the most adult-oriented games ever released, with torture, drug use and sex prevalent not long after beginning the game. You'd expect this gameplay to deter most parents from picking the game up for their young children — but not so. An anonymous editorial at Kotaku written by a video game store employee says that out of the ~1,000 copies sold in the first week, at least 10% of them went to parents accompanied by a child. Clearly, this could be interpreted as a problem. Techgage adds that this is one of the biggest problems facing gaming today. With one breath, many parents criticize video games for being so violent, and with the next, they're saying 'thanks' at the counter after picking up these very games for their kids. While ESRB ratings and other warnings about violent games for kids have good reason to exist, many parents still ignore them, aren't aware to them, or simply don't care about their warnings."

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Some people... by SpaceWiz · 2013-09-24 05:57 · Score: 5, Insightful

Some people still think that video games are only for kids, regardless of the content of the game. Getting past this idea would help a lot.
1. Re:Some people... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-24 06:06 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Some people also have the silly idea that violent video games can somehow harm children.
  Can we finally put this concept to bed, please? Your ten-year-old isn't going to be irreparably mentally harmed from playing GTA5. Or from watching a violent movie or sneaking a look at some porn on the Internet.
2. Re:Some people... by MickyTheIdiot · 2013-09-24 06:09 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  This was brought up in another conversation I had today...
  We have this idea that kids as old as 16 aren't "fully formed" people. But if your kid doesn't understand the difference between fantasy and reality at 10 or 11 or 12 then there is a parenting problem or other general mental illness. They aren't just lumps of clay that get reasoning ability by magic on their 18th birth day. It's amazing how most of the population forgets what being aged 10-18 is like later in life... this is something they should know already.
3. Re:Some people... by TWiTfan · 2013-09-24 06:17 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  No, your kid is probably not going to be "irreparably mentally harmed" from being exposed to violent video games too early. But there is such a thing as exposing a kid to shit that they're too young to handle (or understand). And that's not a good thing.
  A kid's innocence is a precious thing, and it's a shame to squander it too early. That doesn't mean I want to have my 12-year-old still believing in Santa Claus, but I also don't want him introduced to the ugly world of violent crime, drugs, and prostitution while he's still in kindergarten either.
  
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4. Re:Some people... by Nadaka · 2013-09-24 06:30 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Part of the problem is that that the majority of adults can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality either. How many people are religious after all? And even if you buy into the silly notion that one religion may be correct, then the billions of people who follow the other religions are still fully believing in fantasy.
  But then, simple violence and sex in media does not represent a fundamental attack on human rationality that religion in media does, even though it is somehow seen as more acceptable.
5. Re:Some people... by bluefoxlucid · 2013-09-24 06:44 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  "Ma'am, I must take 15 seconds before you purchase this game to inform you that it includes content such as fucking prostitutes in the back seat of a stolen vehicle and then murdering them to get your money back, as well as torturing and murdering ... basically anyone. Oh and fucking whores is a good way to make yourself healthy. Is this purchase for a child?"
  
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6. Re:Some people... by Intrepid+imaginaut · 2013-09-24 06:47 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Funny thing about a lot of parents, at least in the US, is they believe that seeing a woman's nipple does more damage to a child's innocence than any amount of gory body shrapnel.
7. Re:Some people... by MickyTheIdiot · 2013-09-24 06:48 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  I think you missed part of my point, which is that what a person can handle is based on that person. There are 30 year olds "kids" out there that can't handle GTA, but I'm sure that there are 8 year olds that can. There is nothing magic about the number, though my personal feeling (not a parent mind you) that a 12 year old kid should have a concept of art, that depiction of something doesn't equal promotion of something, and they can rollplay as a bad person without being a bad person themselves.
  Kids aren't commodities. They are people (this is why the "fully formed person" and the hatred of teenagers get on my craw... they aren't non-humans) and each one is different. This article made some pretty sweeping statements about what is right and wrong for ANY person.
8. Re:Some people... by SleazyRidr · 2013-09-24 07:02 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  There is an argument to be made that at that age their brains are still developing and you don't want them developing the killing hookers areas. I think that's quite valid: you want your children to grow up to do good things, so you should be encouraging good things as early as possible.
  
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9. Re:Some people... by Intrepid+imaginaut · 2013-09-24 07:48 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  What made you think that images of female nipples had to involve porn or sex? I mean maybe you're being a bit tongue in cheek here but let's face it - by classifying a woman's breast as 'dirty' and something that would 'taint innocence', puritanism has indelibly associated women with porn and lewd behaviour. Ironically the same applies to hardcore feminism, albeit from a different angle.
10. Re:Some people... by TheVelvetFlamebait · 2013-09-24 07:49 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  It's worth remembering here that the objection is not that children do not possess the ability to recognise the difference between fantasy and reality, rather it's that they're "impressionable". Their behavioural patterns are still being established, via a system of negative and positive rewards for their behaviour.
  Normally, when a child commits a needlessly aggressive act, they are negatively rewarded by their parents telling them off, or possibly by the parents hitting them in (hopefully) extreme circumstances. When a child plays a violent video game, the game purposefully rewards violent behaviour with things like progress, a sense of achievement, unlockables/collectables, etc.
  Being children, they unconsciously associate the endorphin rush with aggressive acts, or at least, the aggressive acts they commit to video game characters. The obvious question, of course, is whether that positive association with simulated violence corresponds to a positive association with actual violence, or even just aggression. That's something for the behavioural psychologists to decide. Until they do, I think it would be wise to exercise caution.
  
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11. Re:Some people... by jeffmflanagan · 2013-09-24 08:03 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  I got to wondering about adults watching this kids show, so checked it out to see if it's really well written with a lot for adults like some cartoons. I watched season 1 episodes 1 and 2 and season 2 episode 1 in an attempt to give it fair chance, and it appears to be a horrible, treacly kids show that would drive any adult insane with the childish plots and squeaky voices.
12. Re:Some people... by VortexCortex · 2013-09-24 08:26 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Some people also have the silly idea that violent video games can somehow harm children.
  Can we finally put this concept to bed, please? Your ten-year-old isn't going to be irreparably mentally harmed from playing GTA5. Or from watching a violent movie or sneaking a look at some porn on the Internet.
  ... or from hunting deer, or slaughtering their own food, or gutting a chicken, or seeing everyone running around nude in Africa.
  It's interesting isn't it? A 3rd world child knows more about reality from merely existing than a child in the USA. You laugh when the 6 year old child thinks women have penises too, or that men don't have them... You fumble for words to describe the cycle of life and death as if such simple things aren't known to any who helps cook meals... Then you wonder why as they grow older they have severe relationship issues, teen pregnancy, and haven't a care in the world about politics, or their nation's killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians in blame shifted retaliation for a terrorist attack that killed a few thousand.
  If you ask me, we should be showing the kids even more "violent" video games. Let's have 3rd grade curriculum require playing a Hiroshima survivor simulator... Or at least watch the cartoon. That's how your war budget could get redirected to NASA instead: Stop raising vapid ignoramuses.
13. Re: Some people... by SCPRedMage · 2013-09-24 09:16 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  I think the harder part for you is realizing the fact that evidence the people held these beliefs in the past is not the same as evidence of truth of these beliefs.
  
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14. Re:Some people... by dcollins · 2013-09-24 10:09 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  "Most religions really have the same message. Be good to each other. The details and names are different. But that's really what it boils down to."
  That's, like, deliberate ignorance. Take a course on comparative religion or something.
  
  --
  We know where leadership by an anti-intellectual "strongman" who scapegoats minorities and likes boisterous rallies goes
15. Re:Some people... by Kjella · 2013-09-24 10:10 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Most religions really have the same message. Be good to each other. The details and names are different. But that's really what it boils down to. I'm sure there will be replays talking about all of the bad things that religion has caused over the years. But most of those have to do with power mad people twisting the main message to meet their own perverse goals
  In summary, you've never actually read the texts but imagined what it is you would like them to say. Religions aren't egalitarian and universally generous, they're highly exclusive and competitive. My religion is right, everyone else's is wrong. Good things will happen to you if you follow my religion, bad things will happen to you if you don't. Spread my truths and stop the unbelievers from spreading their lies. It's all different versions of carrot and stick, not just carrots and not for everyone. They all sell you on a similar story whether it's Heaven, Jannah (Islamic Heaven), Nirvana (Buddhism) or Vaikuntha (Hinduism) but while you don't care which religion, the religions do. If you don't accept Jesus Christ as your savior you're still going to hell and that's not really open for interpretation. We just like to quietly ignore those parts that aren't palatable in a multicultural world.
  
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16. Re:Some people... by mevets · 2013-09-24 10:16 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  That is an odd phenomena you are experiencing. It is almost as if the more you detest something, the more attractive it becomes to your child. If only somebody else had experienced this.
Different Parents by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-24 05:58 · Score: 5, Insightful

"With one breath, many parents criticize video games for being so violent, and with the next, they're saying 'thanks' at the counter after picking up these very games for their kids."

Maybe these are two different groups of parents...
1. Re:Different Parents by MickyTheIdiot · 2013-09-24 06:01 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Well.. this and the U.S. still has this puritan crap going on in the background that makes general violence and minimal amount of gore FINE but that showing too much of a boob (or anything slightly sexual) will TOTALLY CORRUPT MY BABY!
  Seriously... killing people is fine but something that makes you feel good and is a gift to mankind.. NO WAY. OMG!!
2. Re:Different Parents by houghi · 2013-09-24 06:36 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  but that showing too much of a boob (or anything slightly sexual) will TOTALLY CORRUPT MY BABY!
  Well, obviously. Boobs and nipples especially are not intended for babies.
  
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Don't worry mom, it's okay by TWiTfan · 2013-09-24 05:59 · Score: 4, Funny

No mom, this isn't one of those bad videogames. Trust me.

--
The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
Take away their licenses by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-24 06:00 · Score: 5, Funny

This type of irresponsible behaviour shouldn't be tolerated.
These so-called "parents" should have their parenting licenses revoked, and their children impounded and/or destroyed.
I can't believe I have to mention this by Ralph+Wiggam · 2013-09-24 06:01 · Score: 5, Insightful

"With one breath, many parents criticize video games for being so violent, and with the next, they're saying 'thanks' at the counter after picking up these very games for their kids."
Are the same people saying both of these things? Or is it possible that "parents" includes millions of different people who feel differently about many things.
1. Re:I can't believe I have to mention this by SeaFox · 2013-09-24 06:09 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Also, it can't be possible these "parents buying the game with kids on tow" are buying the game for themselves never intending to let their child play it, too.
  Just like when a family is at the store and buys beer as part of their weekly grocery shopping -- they must be letting their children drink.
2. Re:I can't believe I have to mention this by cdrudge · 2013-09-24 06:27 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Logic and reasonable explanations have absolutely nothing to do with this knee jerk reactionary story. Please don't ever bring up these types of things again.
Logical fallacy by Xtifr · 2013-09-24 06:03 · Score: 5, Informative

The fact that someone bought the game while accompanied by a child does not mean they're buying it for the child. My brother often takes his kids to the game store, and and may buy game for himself or for his kids. Or, frequently, both.
That said, yes, there probably a lot of people too clueless to realize that the one game that is probably the most famous of all games in the world for not being for kids isn't for kids. But trying to estimate the number of people in that category by counting the number of people who happen to buy it while having a child in tow is just as clueless, in quite another way.
This is an outrage. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-09-24 06:04 · Score: 5, Funny

What we need is a law forcing parents to raise their kids the way I think they should be raised.
Re:I wouldn't be so sure. by MickyTheIdiot · 2013-09-24 06:39 · Score: 4, Funny

And BOY do they get mad if they happen to see something like "High School of the Dead" or "Queen's Blade".