The Fuss about Video Games..and Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto IV. Big, bad, violent game. Also fun, with cool montages of city life. Not for kids under 17. And I repeat. Not for kids under 17. And some 17-year-olds should be playing it either. You just have to know your kid and make an informed, intelligent decision. In other words:

What is the hullabaloo all about?

Kids play games. Boys like violence.

Older boys like more violence .

If you let your kid play violent games does that make you a bad parent?

First off, the video game industry is not going away. Ever. So, type-a-moms, get used it it. But you'd be surprised how much control you wield over those little sticks of joy.

The most recent headline-gradbber is Grand Theft Auto IV. It's nasty. It's violent. The subject matter is simply evil. And that's why it's fun for the "kids" who play it. Except there SHOULDN'T be "kids" playing it.

'Cuz it's for "Mature" audiences. Meaning over 17--and some of thoe kids shouldn't be playing it either. But when it comes down to it, the arbitration you will be having over this diabolical (and fun!) thriller should have happened already. You need to be mindful of when these things "drop" (vernacular for "now available") because before you know it, those wizened little midgets of yours will have you all talked out before you can raise your final objections.

Yes, I've seen the game. Can't play it because I'm slow on the uptake, so to speak, and couldn't figure out the mechanics behind a joystick to save my life. So, I've been watching my "child", nay, adult, aged 23, play this non-stop. Why? Because it's his chosen profession and he needs to know what's out and popular. Yes, he helps create these suckers and loves doing it.

And it's fun for him. It's vulgar, crass, violent and vindictive. Exactly what the doctor ordered! Because it's helping him deal with frustration of being trapped with his parents while his foot heals from surgery. So better he should express his volatile anger by shooting bad duys on the little screen than slowly driving himself crazy thinking about doing such no-no things.

Plus, if you're diligent, have had all the special talks about reality and fantasy and how video games are the latter, not the former, your child/person should be able to navigate this tricky, nasty tale of vengence.

I'm not saying I approve of the subject matter, but you have to know your child (regardless of age) and trust him because if he can't make good reality-based decision at this point of his life, then your parenting skills need to be re-evaluated.

GTA is not a Disney game. It's not for girls (sorry, it just isn't, except for those two of you in the U.K.) and it's gory. But, here's one positive thing I can say: It's so well done, the game looks like a movie! A gritty, nasty, violent movie. With some occasional gratuitous sex, if you know where to find it. Most boys don't.

Perfect for 23-year-olds. Read the warning labels on boxes. If you have a child who's not yet 17 and is kinda shy or has problems at school, it might not be such a great gift Anyone with social problems, authority problems, whatever--then it should be verboten.

Besides, there's lots of other games out there. 

There's always Baby Mozart.