GTA3 - Safe for Kids?

**Jihforce** · 07-01-2002, 04:57 PM

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/D...mes020701.html

I think parents need to educate children the fine line between reality and fantasy.

Its kind of scary because at times, you would think that kids know better. Unfortunately, there are always those few that take it a little further that they should. (ie, the kid that die cuz he played too much EverQuest)

**~~DoPeY5007~~** · 07-01-2002, 05:01 PM

ok @ 13 I don't think the kid should play the game.

I love the game, and I do joke around about killing the hookers and calling them my "X" wife, but I know it is all a joke...

I hate everything being PC all the time, and this game breaks all the rules, that is why it is so fun...

but yeah the kid should know better, but also, the kid shouldn't be playing that game yet

**Memo** · 07-01-2002, 05:05 PM

13 years old is fine I think to play GTA3. I mean, parents really should just take care of their children. That's all there is to it.

**Burzhui** · 07-01-2002, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by UT Memo
13 years old is fine I think to play GTA3. I mean, parents really should just take care of their children. That's all there is to it.

i play it with my 14 year old bro and it's all good

**eSDee** · 07-01-2002, 09:57 PM

No offense Memo but the responsibility laying solely on the parents is a weak argument, in my opinion. Even if a parent don't let their kid play the game, he's gonna play that schitt over at his friends pad if he can. The 'rents never wanted me to see nudity when I was a little pendejo, but I used to check it out all the time because none of my friends parents disallowed them to see it. And I went to a friggin Catholic school!

But I do agree that parents need to take a stronger role in what their kids do and do not partake. I just think it's impossible to guide your kid unless you have cooperation from your community.

Great now I sound like Hilary Clinton

BTW I would not let my kid play GT3 at 13.

**ApltnHkyMutt** · 07-01-2002, 09:58 PM

so? i dont see what the problem is here. why cant people go out and shoot other people.. its not like there arent enough people out there anyways?

**Leon** · 07-01-2002, 10:00 PM

I've been playing violent games all my life and I've never had the overwhelming urge to club someone over the head. If a kid cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality, then the parent is responsible for that.

MJordanash · 07-01-2002, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by Leon
I've been playing violent games all my life and I've never had the overwhelming urge to club someone over the head. If a kid cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality, then the parent is responsible for that.

**Speedfreak** · 07-02-2002, 02:17 AM

"But a new book called Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Superheroes, and Make-believe Violence," makes a provocative argument. Author Gerard Jones argues that make-believe violence can actually benefit children."

That guy was on Screensavers last week.

**chrissy** · 07-02-2002, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Leon
I've been playing violent games all my life and I've never had the overwhelming urge to club someone over the head. If a kid cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality, then the parent is responsible for that.

Very much so. Audie at age 8 WATCHES Donnie play it and with the gore turned down she has played UT (since she was 6). We play with her and she understands, just like Bugs bunny, games (and cartoons) are fantasy and there isn't a place in RL for most things that happen in these games.

**Memo** · 07-02-2002, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by EsDeeLoco
No offense Memo but the responsibility laying solely on the parents is a weak argument, in my opinion. Even if a parent don't let their kid play the game, he's gonna play that schitt over at his friends pad if he can. The 'rents never wanted me to see nudity when I was a little pendejo, but I used to check it out all the time because none of my friends parents disallowed them to see it. And I went to a friggin Catholic school!

But I do agree that parents need to take a stronger role in what their kids do and do not partake. I just think it's impossible to guide your kid unless you have cooperation from your community.

Great now I sound like Hilary Clinton

BTW I would not let my kid play GT3 at 13.

The thing is, you KNEW it was wrong to. Eventhough you're going to do it you know what's right from wrong. Some of those other kids don't. If your parents teach you what is right and what is wrong and you do it anyways, you still know that you shouldn't be doing it and you're not going to go ape**** and steal a car and run over people and shoot them up. That's just what I believe. I am not sure if I'd buy the game for MY kid because I've never been a parent. But right now, I wouldn't have a problem letting lets say a cousin play it with me.

**molecularfire** · 07-02-2002, 10:59 AM

"Parents have to not check their parenting skills at the door just because it's a video game," he says. "When you see that you get extra points for shooting somebody in the head, as opposed to shooting them in the body — you have to wonder exactly what the values are that we are teaching our children."

Yeah. Body shots are much more reliable than head shots. Bigger target, and harder for a person to move their body out of the way by sheer stupid luck.

Seriously though, I think it's too easy for parents to blame video games and TV. I disagree with EsDeeLoco on this one. It's harder to guide your kids with all of the stuff that's out there, but not impossible. It's your kids, therefore your responsiblity... simple as that. My parents were very very strict with us on what we could and couldn't watch and play. My friends knew that if they played a certain game or watched a certain show on TV when I was arount, that I was either going to leave the room or go home. Simple as that.

**eSDee** · 07-02-2002, 10:55 PM

I guess I can see your points. I would just prefer alternate ways to teach my kid the difference between right and wrong. I just hope you don't give the kid too much credit already knowing what is right and wrong at age 13. I guess you'll find out if they end up off'ing their 8th grade class.

**Cheesypuff** · 07-02-2002, 11:00 PM

If at 13 the kid does not know the differene between games and reality...than that kid should be put on americas most wanted!

**eSDee** · 07-02-2002, 11:25 PM

Originally posted by Cheesypuff
If at 13 the kid does not know the differene between games and reality...than that kid should be put on americas most wanted!

Reality is subjective.