Last week was a busy week for us at the Institute with the release of the video game Grand Theft Auto IV (rated M – mature).  While there is much about the graphics and the way the game plays that gamers enjoy, we urge parents to give this game a resounding “no” for their kids.  It is rated M with graphic violence and sexual content, intense language, partial nudity, blood, and use of alcohol and drugs.  Major retailers will not sell this game to anyone under 17 years of age and they are asking for IDs to prove it.  Unfortunately this game is hugely popular with teens and even pre-teens.  Now is the time to talk to your kids, let them know what you don’t like about this content.  It’s out there, they’ll see it, they might play it – help them to start thinking critically about the content and what they are putting into their brains.  Kids will say that they know the game is fantasy and that they know the difference between reality and fantasy, but that’s their thinking brains speaking.  Their emotional brains do not know the difference and wiring with graphic sex and violence has an impact.

Note - Someone alerted me to a great deal on Amazon.com.  Limited quantities of the hardcover version of No are available for $6.99 at http://www.amazon.com/NO-Kids-Ages-Need-Hear-Parents/dp/B000WPMMO0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210000819&sr=8-1

David Walsh