A parent of two young boys has expressed concern that GTA 6's ultra-realistic graphics, violence, and nudity will reach children despite its adult rating, particularly at friends' homes and online. The reader, writing in a Reader's Feature for GameCentral, said they will buy and play the game themselves but will be very careful to ensure their seven- and eight-year-old sons never see it.
Parent's changing perspective on violent media
The reader explained that becoming a parent changed their attitude towards violent films and games. They used to be a big Call Of Duty player and enjoyed horror movies and games, but no longer have the time and find the idea of watching people being dismembered and shot less appealing now that they have young children. They still engage with such content when they have a spare night alone, but far less than before.
They noted that some people have complained about the lack of gore in GTA 6, but argued that this is not really relevant, pointing to the tons of violence, constant swearing, and what looks like far more nudity than normally seen in a video game.
Worry about other parents and online exposure
While their own boys will not see or play the game at home, the reader is worried they will encounter it online or at friends' houses. They expressed shock at how little some other parents care about what films and games their children are watching, often hearing the phrase 'It didn't do me any harm' when questioning them.
The reader said they do not want games like GTA 6 to be banned, but also do not want impressionable children playing them. They acknowledged that games do have an effect on emotions and thoughts, otherwise people would not play them.
Impact of increasingly realistic graphics
The reader said this sort of thing had never bothered them until now, partly because their boys were too young for proper video games and partly because graphics have never been as good as GTA 6. With violence and nudity now ultra realistic, they believe it is even more likely to have a negative effect. They dismissed the argument that children can already access porn and worse, saying that is awful too, although at least it is not interactive.
The reader suggested that when graphics were low tech, the level of violence mattered less because it never looked real. They questioned when limits should be placed on what can be done in a game that looks almost completely like real life, noting that saying it is only meant for adults is pointless when such content is like catnip to teenagers and younger. They concluded that the problem has been getting worse over this generation and nothing has been done about it, worrying not just about GTA 6 but everything that comes after.
