Top Fears of Parents

A survey was conducted with 1,266 participants in April 2008. Parents were to select from a list of choices which item they find most offensive in a video game.

These were the response:

• man and woman having sex - 37%
• two men kissing - 27%
• graphically severed head - 25%
• multiple use of the F-word - 9%

A second survey took place in August 2008 and 1,600 parents participated on what they would be most concerned about their 17-year old child doing at a sleepover.

• smoking marijuana - 49%
• playing video game Grand Theft Auto - 19%
• watching pornography - 16%
• drinking beer - 14%

Here are some of the Comments from respondents:

• “this is nothing more than just parents forcing their assumptions of a near-futured failure in their children because of video games, when really it is the fault of the parents for not at least talking to their kids about the content of such games and telling them why and why noy you shouldn’t do such things. I’m 16 and I’ve played more violent games than a little, yet am I in jail? Do I do drugs? Am I a killer? Hardly.”

• “Where’s your moral standards? Just as we have lost God in our schools, He seems to be missing from our homes too. Would you rent an x-rated movie/video for your teenage/under-aged kids? My girlfriend’s 14 year old grandson just tried to commit suicide with an overdose of some prescription drug! Parents…take responsibility. You gave birth to them, now raise them!!”

• Hello, I’d like to start off by pointing out that I am a 16 year old. I am an avid gamer as well. And also, I’d like to point out that you, Casim, had a very good point. Actually, you had several. Basically, it all boils down to what you are teaching your children, how well you discipline them and how well you monitor them. Now, I’d like to point out something to all you parents who have been burying their heads in the sand that no matter what they do, if said child is determined to view/play that crap, they will. If they want to smoke marijuana and kill all thier brain cells they will and if they wanna drink until they get wasted - they will. IF you have not taught them morals. You know, right from wrong. REMEMBER THAT? Some parents just aren’t as concerned as others and other teens, unlike myself, just don’t give a damn. My parents brought me up right. I’ve seen the damage drugs and liquor can do first hand though my friends and other family memebers. And while I do like the gory and violent stuff you see in some games, I’m no serial killer, so no harm done. Then again, some children are more easily influenced…. As for the whole in-game sex thing, Casim is right - CHECK THE RATING BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!! It’s ridiculous for you to be blaming the game you bought for the child! Ok, I have to admit that some teens just go out and do what they really want to do sometimes, even IF their parents HAD tried to instill some values and morals. It’s a two-way thing. It’s not just teaching them right from wrong, its following the process up as well. Be a parent and pay more attention to what they’re doing. We may hate it now, but we’ll thank you later”.

• And this is what pisses me off. Parents “CLAIM” they don’t want their kids dealing with this crap in video games. Then why do they go out and buy their little kiddies these games? Bunch of idiotic half-brained (well maybe no-brained) parents (if you can even call them that)”.

What are your Top 10 fears, Parents?

Share some of your top fears with us here by leaving us some Comments below.