What about parents that let their young children play violent games that are T or M or even A rated games?

Question

I have a child who is 5 years old. I am now re-married and my ex-husband is still involved in my child’s life. My son plays x-box. He is not allowed to play any games other than E rated ones in my house. Although I now realize just because a game is E rated, it does not make it okay for a 5-year-old to play.

Anyways, my ex not only let my son play games all day long, he lets him play any kind of rating games. I am talking about mostly M rated games that are war games, like HALO or Call of Duty and stuff. He is now 5 and he has been playing these games since he is 3 years old.

He also let my son watch movies like Kill Bill 2 and etc. When I tell him not to let my son watch these games, his defense is "My son knows they are not real" and of course my son says "Yes mom I know" He once did not let my son play this one M rated game, instead he let him watch.

My son cannot think of anything other than games. I do not know how to put a stop to this. Any ideas as to what to do?

Thanks to you trying to help me out. Yes my whole point is not to let him play games. However, at this stage I don't think taking games from him an option. I feel the same way that I would have rathered that my son did not play at all, however I know that he has been playing games for awhile and I cannot just cut him off. I would like to just limit it, which is what I do at my house.

I do not have any control over what happens there. Yes I talk to my ex and try to explain him how it affects my son. See I get an answer like okay or alright, but nothing changes. People who have their Exs involved in their kids' lives will understand what I am going through.

I try my best to involve my son in activites. I do my best at least. He visits his father on the weekends so there is not much I can do for those two days.

Answer 1

I have 6 boys, so I feel your pain! I do not let the guys play during the week, only on weekends. My boys range in age from 19 to 3 years old, so I have rules about what games they can play.
My husband plays the games first, to see if they are o.k.

During vacations, we put an hour limit on the video games a day.
And their chores have to be done first.

You really need to sit down with your ex and let him know how inappropriate some games and movies are for young children. I know this is easier said than done, because I STILL go through this with my ex. I made him come with me to the doctor's office and my kid's doctor explained how bad this stuff is for children. If your ex won't listen to you, maybe he'll listen to a doctor.

There are tons of published articles out there on the effects of violence on kids. Send him some!

Good luck and don't give up on your son!

Answer 2

As long as you raised him right and that he knows that responding to violent games in a bad way is wrong, then do not worry about it. I've been playing Mortal Kombat (Rated M game) since I was five and I'm not violent at all because my parents raised me to know better. Same with the movies. And every gamer thinks about games all the time, but don't let it get out of control. The right disipline will get him to the right path.

Answer 3

First stop worrying so much. Kids will be kids. Just to let you know, I have be playing very violent video games since I was very little (I am 18 now). All through high school I had all A's and I never missed a day of school, or for that fact, never got a tardy in class. My boyfriend plays the same video games and he was valedictorian of my class. It is not video games and movies that make a kid bad, it is parenting. If you are a good parent, you will have a good kid.

Answer 4

I would suggest locking away the games that you do not want him playing, and give him a certain amount of time per day or week that he is allowed to play, or maybe buy him one of those leap-frog game things that are educational, that hook right up to your TV.
I have been playing games like Resident Evil since i was 5, and i am 14 now, I love video games, but i was encouraged, not forced, to get excercise, and now I dont spend very much time playing video games. I would suggest getting him a bike (if he already doesnt have one) and getting yourself one (if you dont already have one) and go bike riding with him sometimes or something, get him out to get some excercise.

Answer 5

i think he shouldn't play video games at all in the age of 5.
Can't you and your ex find some OTHER activities for your kid rather than teaching him/her to be a couch potato?
OMG.. i have nephews in 4th grade that still plays LEGO.

Just so you know, our brain is in the MOST INACTIVE mode when we watch TV and video game. In fact, when we are asleep, our BRAIN is still MORE active than when we are playing video game and watching TV.

It's not about letting your son knows whether the content of the game is real or not. It's about letting your son's brain to develop healthy and smart. engage your son in a more constructive interaction such as Drawing, Solving Puzzles, Sports, and etc..

Answer 6

You and your ex need to have a serious talk. It is imperative that you are in agreement with parenting issues and are consistent with rules between your two homes. Your 5 year old son should not be allowed to play violent videogames PERIOD. It is not appropriate, nor healthy for his emotional development. If your ex does not agree -- you may have to seek outside help from a mediator or the courts to intervene and mandate rules and guidelines for visitation. This is serious you must act for the emotional welfare of your son. If the father is allowing him to be exposed to this material at 5 what will he be exposed to as he gets older?

Answer 7

Your son will end up wearing women's clothing if you don't let him bond with his father.

My son grew up in the ghetto and I used games and whatever else I could find to keep him in the house instead of wandering the streets and he's ok, and alive, and free, thank you very much!

Answer 8

lol my kid was/is just like that hes 13 now and gets good grades I probablt wouldnt worry about it too much unless the games seem to be affecting who he is (if that makes sense) and get him interested in outdoor activities sports ect.. Ahh I really dont know either but my kid plays them alot to and he seems ok

Answer 9

Your kid is gonna end up a basement boi loser and living with you til you die if you don't get him off those games, and now.

Answer 10

I THINK THATS COOL BUT SINCE IM ONLY 12 U KNOW THATS HOW MY DAD IS TOO BUT WE HAVE LIMITS AND ONLY ON WEEKENDS WHEN IM DONE WITH HOMEWORK THATS THE ONLY TIME MABY TRY MORE LIMITS AND CHECK WHAT HE PLAYS B4 U BUY IT OR TALK TO YOUR HUSBAND