Should kids play M rated video games? A tech expert explores the debate

As a lifelong gamer and tech enthusiast, I’ve seen the video game industry evolve to include more mature content. Popular M rated franchises like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto are blockbuster hits, despite being designated for ages 17 and up. But should our kids under 17 be playing these games made for adults? That debate continues to rage among parents and child development experts.

In this article, I’ll examine the M rating – what it means, concerns around violent or sexual content, and how parents can make informed decisions about these games. As a tech expert and gamer, I hope I can bring some nuance to this discussion as a parent myself. Let’s dive in!

What is the mysterious M rating?

You’ll see it branded on game boxes at the store – that enigmatic M rating. But what exactly does it signify?

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), founded in 1994, is a non-profit that assigns age and content ratings for video games in the US and Canada. Their goal is to provide guidance to parents and consumers on games’ suitability by age group.

The ESRB has four main age-based rating categories:

• EC – Early Childhood: Suitable for children ages 3 and older
• E – Everyone: Appropriate for players ages 6 and up
• E10+ – Everyone 10+: Suited for ages 10 and older
• T – Teen: Intended for players ages 13 and up
• M – Mature: Recommended for ages 17 and up
• AO – Adults Only: Suitable only for adults ages 18 and up

The M rating indicates the game has content appropriate for ages 17 and older. But what kind of mature content are we talking about?

Games can get an M rating for:

• Intense violence like blood, gore and graphic killing
• Strong sexual themes, full nudity or simulated sex
• Use of strong language with profanity and slurs
• References to or use of drugs and alcohol

So in a nutshell, the M rating exists to alert parents that a game’s content exceeds what would be suitable for children under 17.

Now you might be wondering – do teenagers actually play these M rated games intended for older players?

M rated games are extremely popular with underage players

Despite that ominous M rating, many of the top-selling video game franchises carry this designation. These include:

• Call of Duty
• Grand Theft Auto
• God of War
• Halo
• Resident Evil
• Mortal Kombat

In fact, a recent report by the National Purchase Diary found Call of Duty to be the most popular video game among teenagers in the US.

According to surveys, a majority of teens play M rated games, whether with parental permission or without:

• 72% of teenagers ages 13-16 reported playing M rated games with at least one parent’s consent.
• 26% of parents set rules around mature content for the M rated games their teenagers play.
• 36% of parents are unsure if their child plays M rated games.

Clearly these adult-oriented games end up in the hands of adolescent players through lax enforcement and peer pressure.

But should our kids be playing these games with strong violence, gore, profanity and sexual imagery? Do M rated games harm teenagers in some way? Let’s explore some of the common concerns parents have.

Concerns around kids playing M rated video games

Many child development experts caution against excessive exposure to graphic content at too young an age. Here are the primary worries around teenagers playing Mature rated games:

Exposure to violence may encourage aggression

The first issue often raised is the level of graphic violence in many M rated games. Studies offer conflicting evidence on whether virtual violence in games promotes real world aggression.

Several research reviews conclude a link exists:

• A 2010 meta-analysis found exposure to violent video games is associated with aggressive thoughts and behaviors.
• The APA in 2020 again confirmed a consistent relation between violent game use and aggression in youth.

However, other researchers claim the effects are minimal:

• A 2015 study by Christopher Ferguson found video game violence alone is not a risk factor for youth violence.
• Impacts likely depend on the individual child and their susceptibility.

So while the jury is still out, parents often prefer to err on the side of caution and limit exposure to graphic virtual violence.

Sexual content may encourage early promiscuity

Some M rated games portray nudity, sexual interactions or strong sexual themes. Parents worry their teenagers may mimic risky behaviors seen virtually in mature games.

Titles like Grand Theft Auto often glamorize criminal activity as well, which raises concerns. Kids may get the wrong ideas about violence and sex through a game‘s lens.

Online interactions expose kids to strangers‘ behaviors

Multiplayer M rated games allow teenagers to chat and interact with random strangers online. This introduces the risk of harassment, cyberbullying or exposure to inappropriate discussions.

Young gamers may hear offensive language or encounter toxic behavior from anonymous players that parents would rather shield them from.

Addictive elements like loot boxes hook impressionable teens

Many popular M rated games incorporate addictive elements like loot boxes, microtransactions or other hooks to extend playtime. Teenagers can be vulnerable to compulsive gaming or gambling-like mechanisms.

As you can see, reasonable concerns exist around mature content, online interactions and exploitative mechanics. But does that mean parents should ban all M rated games outright? That‘s where opinions diverge.

How major retailers restrict selling M rated games

Recognizing the risks of selling adult games to minors, most major retailers have policies limiting M rated sales:

• GameStop prohibits direct sales of M rated games to any customers under age 17. They also refuse returns of new M rated products in order to block straw purchases by parents on a child‘s behalf.

• Walmart instructs staff to verify a photo ID for customers appearing under age 40 attempting to buy mature games.

• Target has registers prompt for ID checks on M rated sales. They also keep many M rated titles locked behind glass cabinets rather than on sales floors.

• BestBuy trains cashiers to request age verification for M rated purchases. They claim to regularly shop their own stores to ensure compliance.

Unfortunately, while these policies look robust on paper, real world enforcement remains inconsistent. Employees may skip ID checks or allow teens to buy with irresponsible parents‘ consent. The onus falls heavily on parents to police their own children, but guidance is often lacking.

What parents can do about mature rated video games

Rather than sticking our heads in the sand or imposing blanket bans, parents can take a nuanced approach to managing M rated games. With education and active involvement, gaming can become a healthy pastime. Here are some wise strategies:

• Research games‘ content. Review rating summaries and parental guides to understand why a game got an M. See what objectionable material it contains.

• Experience it together. Play new games with your teen to judge appropriateness. Discuss concerning content and your values.

• Set clear limitations. Define limits around M rated play for your child based on their maturity. Prohibit certain genres like sexually explicit games.

• Use console controls. Block inappropriate games by rating using built-in parental controls on gaming platforms.

• Foster open conversations. Ask teens their thoughts on topics raised in mature games. Interpret themes positively as teaching moments.

• Find alternatives. Substitute more age appropriate games in sports, racing, platformer, puzzle or educational genres. Titles rated E10+ tend to be suitable.

• Model balanced habits. Demonstrate a healthy relationship with gaming yourself. Prioritize real world relationships and physical activity.

Banning things breeds secrecy and rebellion. With patience and honest conversations, we can guide our teens through the treacherous waters of modern gaming. They‘ll build self-discipline and perspective.

Now let‘s explore rating systems globally to see how various countries tackle game age recommendations.

Comparing age rating systems for video games worldwide

Several rating systems exist worldwide to direct game content towards appropriate age groups. Let‘s look at some major examples:

Rating System	Used in	Adult Rating	Sample Factors
ESRB	United States, Canada	Mature 17+	Violence, sex, drugs, profanity
PEGI	Europe, Israel	18+	Violence, sex, drugs, fear
CERO	Japan	D 17+	Violence, sex, crime, horror
CBFC	India	A 18+	Violence, sex, language, drugs
OFLC	Australia	R 18+	High impact violence, sex, drugs

While ratings criteria differ, most aim to limit youth exposure to extreme violence, sexual material, criminal activity and substance use modeled in games. Adult ratings usually reserve certain games for ages 17-18 and up.

Of course, robust parental involvement and value-based guidance remain paramount. Ratings merely offer a starting point for making wise choices as families.

Now that we‘ve explored the M rating philosophy, let‘s turn to selecting some healthy, engaging games for teenagers under 17.

Great video game alternatives to M rated titles

Mature games with blood, gore and nudity are far from the only option. Amazing games exist for adolescents across all genres minus the adult elements.

Here are some of my top picks for teens:

Action/Adventure

• Legend of Zelda (T)
• Ratchet and Clank (E10+)
• Psychonauts (T)
• Untitled Goose Game (E)

Platformers

• Mario Odyssey (E)
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land (E)
• Ori and the Blind Forest (E10+)
• Shovel Knight (E10+)

Sports/Racing

• Mario Kart 8 (E)
• NBA 2K series (E10+)
• FIFA series (E)
• Forza Horizon 5 (E10+)

Shooters

• Splatoon 2 (E10+)
• Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville (E10+)
• Portal 2 (E10+)
• Overwatch (T)

Sandbox/Creative

• Minecraft (E10+)
• Dragon Quest Builders 2 (E10+)
• Sims 4 (T)
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons (E)

This list just scratches the surface of family-friendly options spanning different interests and play styles. Try going to gaming sites and searching by "E10+" or "Teen" ratings to find more hidden gems.

As a fellow gamer parent, I encourage you to keep an open mind! With real conversations and limits, video games can enhance our kids‘ lives rather than detract from them.

My own experiences with M rated games as a teen

To wrap up this epic saga, I thought I‘d share a bit of my own personal history dealing with mature games as a teenager back in the 90s.

Like many rebellious youths, I found ways around parental bans to play violent arcade beat-em-ups like Mortal Kombat. I justified this by arguing it was totally fictional "cartoon" violence. But looking back now as an adult, I see my parents had legitimate cause for concern.

Exposure to those hyperviolent fatalities at too young an imprintable age probably impacted me negatively. And I didn‘t have the maturity then to handle those experiences responsibly or keep them in healthy perspective.

Later as a high schooler, when controversial Grand Theft Auto 3 released, it became a status symbol among my friends to play this forbidden adult game. We‘d swap tips on shocking gameplay moments involving prostitutes and drugs.

Of course all this just strengthened the allure of this taboo interactive world we could finally explore. But frankly, I wasn‘t equipped to process a lot of what I saw.

Anyway, those anecdotes from my wild teen years might resonate if you have a rebellious young gamer at home yourself!

My advice is to stay honest, involved and caring – that makes all the difference. Times change, but our job as parents remains guiding our youth wisely.

So in closing, I hope this inside tour through the complex world of mature gaming gave you some food for thought! If you made it this far reading, thanks for sticking with me. Stay safe out there fellow gaming parents – and game on!