Today is the unfortunate release date of the very explicit Grand Theft Auto 4. Both my husband and my 2 sons are video game lovers. So, when a new game comes onto the market, our ears perk up. But, the Grand Theft games have never been allowed into our home. And for very good reason. They contain explicit foul language, drug use, alcohol abuse, sex, soliciting of prostitutes, drunk driving, rewards for criminal activity, such as car theft and violent acts toward others...and overall, they just encourage a very anti-social behavior that we don't want our family viewing! It seems that each new installation of the game has become worse and worse. And this final version pushes the envelope like never before.
We have recently been having conversations with our 9yr-old, Mark, about why we don't allow him to play certain video games or watch certain movies that his friends are able to view. He gets frustrated with us when the answer is an unwavering NO. And, I understand his frustration. At this time in his life, he is desperately trying to shed the 'little boy' image and be a cool, big, tough guy among his peers. But that doesn't change our stance on the issue. Luckily, he has not asked for us to purchase this Grand Theft game. He understands that it is 'bad.' And he is concerned that a couple of his friends have permission from their parents to buy this new game today. Yes...those are Christian School friends.
Something pretty cool happened yesterday. As we were driving home from school, we were listening to a Christian radio station. And the topic of this particular game was being discussed with a video game critic. They reiterated the specific ways the themes in the Grand Theft games break God's standards and are dangerous to the minds of children in particular. Mark was visibly interested in all they had to say, and it was at that point he became very concerned for his friends who planned to purchase this game. We took it as an open door for us to pray for his friends, and I felt it equipped Mark to talk to his friends about why this game isn't a good choice. It also showed him that when we say NO to a game or movie, it is with good reason. There is so much garbage out there that Ryan and I want to shield our kids from. And I appreciate Christian radio for opening the dialog about these issues, so parents can also be equipped.
What angers me now is that games like this are not meant for children (with the Mature rating), but are clearly marketed toward them. Their posters are plastered all over Blockbuster store windows, toy stores, etc...and they are on shelves right at eye level for a kid to come by and view. If we won't display mature magazines like this, then why display mature games?? This angers me greatly. Many parents, even Christian ones, will blindly purchase the game for their kids. Because it's a game, right?? Wrong!! It's a dangerous tool that I strongly feel has no place among kids' playtime. And, even tho Ryan and I refuse to allow games like this in our home, we still have to deal with instances when Mark goes to a friends' house, because he's always having to call us up and ask our permission for every Teen or Mature rated game that his friends suggest, and we're having to say no to most. The battle continues even outside our home! Hopefully our firm stance will encourage other parents to tighten up on their own rules.
