Computer Games & Age Limits
Hi, my name's the gamer.
I'm complaining about the age restrictions on the covers of computers games. Why do they put ages on games?
When kids can get them lots of ways (via downloads etc.) the only thing the warnings are going to do is delay the kids from getting the game.
Someone aged 16 can move out and live alone but still can't get 18+ games.
Plus, kids can get someone else to get the game for them and the authorities will be none the wiser.
Before I went to a game shop with my dad and they wouldn't let me buy a game, so I gave it to my dad and he bought it for me - but the man in the shop saw I was with my dad, so why did he let my dad buy it for me?
Kids will always get the game whatever the age limit. Some say the age limit is there to stop us from re-enacting violence we see in the game, but I don't think that is right. I play shooting games, but I don't want to go out shooting people.
I think anyone who goes out and commits violence would do it anyway, so I hate the way everyone always blames computer games for affecting young people, it's not right!
So I want to hear what you all think about computer game age restrictions. Are they a good thing or are they a bad thing?
IMAGE: Hindu by Nino.Modugno
3 Comments – Post a comment
Sam Sprout (Editor)
Commented 61 months ago - 18th April 2011 - 12:04pm
SamuelPatterson
Commented 61 months ago - 18th April 2011 - 12:46pm
Firstly, Sam, nice reference =)
Secondly, sorry Gamer, but I have to disagree with you. I think game ratings are necessary. If anything, they're not regulated enough. It's all well and good to say "parents will buy it so why bother", but ultimately it's up to the parents. I would hope that a parent wouldn't buy their 13 year old son an 18-rated game like Black Ops. As an 18-year old I can pretty much do anythign I like now in the eyes of the law, so I had a go on Black Ops, and tbh, it repulsed me. And I certainly wouldn't want either of my nephews to be playing it.
When they reach an older age, they can make their own decisions. But young children don't always know what's best for them, and personally, I think seeing those kind of things at such a young age is dangerous and unhealthy.
P.S. I know you didn't make reference to Black Ops, I'm just using it as an example =)
neilramsden
Commented 61 months ago - 18th April 2011 - 15:19pm
I think that age restrictions are needed, and have to agree with Stormer in that they should probably be watched more carefully. I've been in Game before and the guy serving refused to sell a game to a kid, who then came with his bigger, angrier brother, and to his credit the shop assistant still said no for the obvious reasons. What baffles me is that Play and Amazon have no way of proving the age of people who are buying things from them. Things like games and films are rated for a reason, and are often rated really fairly- the fact that games like Manhunter weren't banned is a testament to the ratings people trying to be fair.
I know kids are going to play them if they really want, in the same way that they'll watch films if they really want to, but I don't think that means it shouldn't be made difficult.