Debate: At what age should kids be allowed to play Mature level games? Page 2

Started by Atmageth January 9th, 2014 3:28 PM
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  • 55 replies
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At what age do you think kids should be allowed to play Mature level games?

Male
USA
Seen December 27th, 2021
Posted July 4th, 2014
322 posts
9.8 Years
I say 17 or at least 18, nothing more annoying than hearing a 5 year old kid screaming at you.
18+ is for "Adult Only" (AO) games! There's only a handful of games that hold the rating, but a few of them were edited to receive an M rating so that they could be on PlayStation, Xbox, and Wii (AO games are only allowed on computers) such as GTA: San Andreas and Manhunt 2.
I don't use "uber" Pokémon, I don't calculate stat values, I don't use cheating devices, I don't breed my way to perfection, and I don't care about natures. I catch my Pokemon the way they are, and treat them like individuals instead of brainless drones. If you use this philosophy, copy & paste this into your signature.

AsuraMachina

Who Am I?

Male
UK Manchester
Seen February 26th, 2014
Posted February 22nd, 2014
31 posts
9.4 Years
Honestly i'm like most people. I dont mind as long as it is not to influential. You know.
Cant have a 6 year old playing something like Dead Space or Lollipop Chainsaw.
Think and im sure you agree is when you play a war game or any other game in honesty you really and i can not stress the word Really enough, Really do not want a kid whose not even Ten yet Screaming down his mic at people.
The most common game you get that?
Call of duty.
And these are some of the most foul mouthed little brats you will ever lend your ear too!
If i have kids one day you can bet your bottom dollar they wont be getting to play the games i got to play.

Mana

Age 31
Male
UK
Seen March 25th, 2023
Posted August 18th, 2021
10,075 posts
14.4 Years
If something is rated M (or 18 branded, as we get sometimes) then that should be around the age they play it. There's some lee-way, depending on the child, so I'd say 14/15+.

It is ridiculous the amount of parents who don't look at what they're buying their 10-12 year old kids. >< Parents really need to be warned more.

Homura Akemi

time is f o r e v e r~

Age 24
Female
'Straya
Seen April 1st, 2014
Posted April 1st, 2014
404 posts
9.6 Years
I'm saying around 14/15..that's usually when your mind starts to alter, to mature...at least, that's how I feel about it.

It's also around this age that such themes like violence among other things stop worrying you, or you feel less bad about them. It's also down to how parents raise their children. Are they lenient with such things? Or do they teach their children that such games are wrong?

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I'm saying around 14/15..that's usually when your mind starts to alter, to mature...at least, that's how I feel about it.

It's also around this age that such themes like violence among other things stop worrying you, or you feel less bad about them. It's also down to how parents raise their children. Are they lenient with such things? Or do they teach their children that such games are wrong?
It depends per person when their mind changes... For instance mine already did when i was 9 (or im weird, that can be aswell). But what i kind-of agree with is the age, but you have to prove you are indeed 14/15 for a mature game, which is a system we handle here. We dont sell mature games to people under the 16 and who is 16 or older has to prove it by showing their ID.
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted February 5th, 2017
6,779 posts
15.5 Years
In terms of maturity, there shouldn't be a restriction as long as the children know that the events happening onscreen are fictional. However, I don't think children should be playing video games at all; childhood is really important in terms of brain development and social, and a child shouldn't be cooped up playing grindy, fanservicey SRPG #372 during such a crucial stage.

Hyzenthlay

running with the wolves tonight

Age 23
Rito Village
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted 6 Days Ago
7,802 posts
10.5 Years
Well I've been playing games like GTA since I was a little kid and never did mind the violence and it had no affect on me. I don't bully anyone in real life or fantasize about running people on motorbikes over in my Comet. xD

But these days you do hear of teenagers doing violent things that would make you think of certain video games, so I'd say 15+, as it usually is here.
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Male
Seen November 11th, 2022
Posted November 2nd, 2014
113 posts
9.7 Years
In terms of maturity, there shouldn't be a restriction as long as the children know that the events happening onscreen are fictional. However, I don't think children should be playing video games at all; childhood is really important in terms of brain development and social, and a child shouldn't be cooped up playing grindy, fanservicey SRPG #372 during such a crucial stage.
OK, im gonna make a slight disagreement there. I actually think age appropriate games are good for children. For example, as a child a grew up on Pokemon. not only was it something i greatly enjoyed playing as a kid, but it also helped me make a lot of friends, most of which i'm still friends with today. Pokemon, among other text based games, largely improved my reading level.It also introduced me to rpgs and by extension strategy games, which i personally believe are beneficial for the brain due to the required thinking needed to play them. With that said though I by no means think that kids should be playing clearly adult games.
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acatfrommars

Male
Seen February 5th, 2023
Posted January 9th, 2023
3,870 posts
9.6 Years
It honestly depends on the game. If it's a Mature game like Halo then I'd let my child play it at 11 onward. Hell, even a game like Crysis, Bioshock or RE I'd let my child play at 13 or older. Now a game like GTA which is a little more "Mature" than other games, I would make them wait until the age of 15 or 16 at least. I believe the later in life you expose a child to a game, the less it will effect them psychologically. However, I don't want to censor too much from my child, but there is a fine line as well.
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted February 5th, 2017
6,779 posts
15.5 Years
OK, im gonna make a slight disagreement there. I actually think age appropriate games are good for children. For example, as a child a grew up on Pokemon. not only was it something i greatly enjoyed playing as a kid, but it also helped me make a lot of friends, most of which i'm still friends with today. Pokemon, among other text based games, largely improved my reading level.It also introduced me to rpgs and by extension strategy games, which i personally believe are beneficial for the brain due to the required thinking needed to play them. With that said though I by no means think that kids should be playing clearly adult games.
Video games encourage a sedentary lifestyle, and being sedentary is one of the worst things you can do to your body. If an adult wants to do that, then it's their right, but encouraging video games from a young age is unhealthy on a physical level and a social level(depending on the games). Pokemon is the exception rather than the rule, but the popularity of online multiplayer and the elimination of split screen/co-op makes real-life interaction much rarer.

What's wrong if a child plays adult games? Every normal child recognizes that what's happening on the screen is fictional and doesn't suggest anything at all. There's virtually no difference between a child playing a regular video game and an adult video game.
Male
USA
Seen December 27th, 2021
Posted July 4th, 2014
322 posts
9.8 Years
What's wrong if a child plays adult games? Every normal child recognizes that what's happening on the screen is fictional and doesn't suggest anything at all. There's virtually no difference between a child playing a regular video game and an adult video game.
Do you feel the same way about movies? Everything that happens in movies is completely fictional as well.
I don't use "uber" Pokémon, I don't calculate stat values, I don't use cheating devices, I don't breed my way to perfection, and I don't care about natures. I catch my Pokemon the way they are, and treat them like individuals instead of brainless drones. If you use this philosophy, copy & paste this into your signature.
Male
Seen November 11th, 2022
Posted November 2nd, 2014
113 posts
9.7 Years
Video games encourage a sedentary lifestyle, and being sedentary is one of the worst things you can do to your body. If an adult wants to do that, then it's their right, but encouraging video games from a young age is unhealthy on a physical level and a social level(depending on the games). Pokemon is the exception rather than the rule, but the popularity of online multiplayer and the elimination of split screen/co-op makes real-life interaction much rarer.

What's wrong if a child plays adult games? Every normal child recognizes that what's happening on the screen is fictional and doesn't suggest anything at all. There's virtually no difference between a child playing a regular video game and an adult video game.
ok i think i should have worded myself a bit better, i think a balance of physical games outside and video games are good for children, and obviously as they get older they can adjust more to their liking, by i think part of the issue is that the main games kids are playing is rated m games like call of duty and assassins creed, which dont encourage any interaction. I think that one of the greatest things about "Pokemania" was that it brought together so many different types of people. I think a game like that is what we really need now.
"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed" -Nyx Avatar

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SoulSilver(8/16)
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted February 5th, 2017
6,779 posts
15.5 Years
Do you feel the same way about movies? Everything that happens in movies is completely fictional as well.
I don't see why I wouldn't. Using age as an all-encompassing measure for maturity is nothing more than a lazy solution.

ok i think i should have worded myself a bit better, i think a balance of physical games outside and video games are good for children, and obviously as they get older they can adjust more to their liking, by i think part of the issue is that the main games kids are playing is rated m games like call of duty and assassins creed, which dont encourage any interaction. I think that one of the greatest things about "Pokemania" was that it brought together so many different types of people. I think a game like that is what we really need now.
Oh, well I definitely agree then.
Male
USA
Seen December 27th, 2021
Posted July 4th, 2014
322 posts
9.8 Years
I don't see why I wouldn't. Using age as an all-encompassing measure for maturity is nothing more than a lazy solution.
I agree with you although age does play a part. You can be extremely mature at a young age, however I personally feel that no matter how old you are, if you don't even have any real previous knowledge of a certain subject i.e. sex, you shouldn't first hear/learn/see about it in a movie or video game that will most likely portray it inappropriately and unrealistically.
I don't use "uber" Pokémon, I don't calculate stat values, I don't use cheating devices, I don't breed my way to perfection, and I don't care about natures. I catch my Pokemon the way they are, and treat them like individuals instead of brainless drones. If you use this philosophy, copy & paste this into your signature.
Male
Seen November 11th, 2022
Posted November 2nd, 2014
113 posts
9.7 Years
however I personally feel that no matter how old you are, if you don't even have any real previous knowledge of a certain subject i.e. sex, you shouldn't first hear/learn/see about it in a movie or video game that will most likely portray it inappropriately and unrealistically.
This right here, this is exactly how it should be determined, well done pokemasta92.
"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed" -Nyx Avatar

Ongoing Challenges:

SoulSilver(8/16)
Seen September 18th, 2020
Posted February 18th, 2018
7,741 posts
16.6 Years
I don't believe in a theory that you get mature magically overnight and can now play mature games.
I don't think anyone does. The purpose of such an age limit is to be at an ideal point where one can be sure that 'everyone who views this won't find it disturbting'... and I think that's what a lot of people are forgetting here.

So, to all: these limits aren't about the extreme cases of children actually shooting people because they did it in a game, rather it's about them being upset in some way by content (although from that stems the debate of how excessively sheltered First World children are, I won't get into that). I even find content warnings useful as an adult buying for myself; for what they're worth, I like that these ratings exist as guidelines to provide some extent of 'this is what you're buying' type information. I suppose that's not necessarily relevant in today's video-filled Internet, though.
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted February 5th, 2017
6,779 posts
15.5 Years
I agree with you although age does play a part. You can be extremely mature at a young age, however I personally feel that no matter how old you are, if you don't even have any real previous knowledge of a certain subject i.e. sex, you shouldn't first hear/learn/see about it in a movie or video game that will most likely portray it inappropriately and unrealistically.
I understand what you're saying but I'd say it wouldn't matter as long as the child understands it's fictional. Knowledge of the subject or not, they should know that it doesn't necessarily reflect reality.
Male
USA
Seen December 27th, 2021
Posted July 4th, 2014
322 posts
9.8 Years
I understand what you're saying but I'd say it wouldn't matter as long as the child understands it's fictional. Knowledge of the subject or not, they should know that it doesn't necessarily reflect reality.
I understand what you're saying too, but I still feel it matters. For example, in my opinion if a kid hasn't even gone through puberty, he/she shouldn't be playing video games that show something he/she is truly not mature enough to be doing personally. If I had a prepubescent child that hadn't already been properly educated about sex and what's right and wrong, I wouldn't want him/her "rocking around" in a vehicle with a prostitute from GTA! You can't fully understand something is fictional unless you know the facts.
I don't use "uber" Pokémon, I don't calculate stat values, I don't use cheating devices, I don't breed my way to perfection, and I don't care about natures. I catch my Pokemon the way they are, and treat them like individuals instead of brainless drones. If you use this philosophy, copy & paste this into your signature.

Raine

Age 29
Female
Ontario, Canada
Seen December 16th, 2017
Posted October 5th, 2017
3,722 posts
9.3 Years
Personally, if there's a mature rating given to a game from an organization that regulates warnings for content, that's more than enough reason for the child not to play, no matter how responsible they are. There's a reason they gave that rating out in the first place.

pastel_fallout

Sayounara

Age 23
Female
Glitch City
Seen March 16th, 2016
Posted May 13th, 2015
164 posts
9.3 Years
I'd say around 13 or 14 if they're mature enough, for that's when I started playing those types of games.
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