Dangers of mature video games

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An 11 year-old boy took his parent’s car for a joy-ride Saturday night, after playing the video game Grand Theft Auto.

Even though Grand Theft Auto is an extremely violent game, and it’s rated for people 17 and up to play a psychologist says it’s not normal for a kid that age to try to copy a video game.

The boy was seen driving erratically on Highway 400, north of Toronto. When police caught up to him he was driving towards Toronto at 120/km’s an hour.

“For a child on his own to do it, it says more about the child then the game itself.”

Psychologist Oren Amitay says a 17 year-old is more likely to act on impulse than an 11 year-old.

“An 11 year-old might not understand things as well, but the 17 year-old is more likely to act on impulse so it’s rare for the 11 year-old to do what he did.”

The Grand Theft Auto games are rated M for mature which means you should be at least 17 to play them. The games are full of violence, sexism, and car chases, and most parents won’t let their kids near the game, because they’re just not ready.

Grand Theft Auto is sure to be a hot seller this Christmas and Dr. Amitay says it can be okay for younger kids to play it, with supervision.

“If the 11 year-old is playing with a parent or sibling saying this isn’t real, it’s fantasy, you’re not supposed to do it. If it’s a bonding experience it’s not that bad.”

According to police, the boy took his parent’s car while they were sleeping, and because of his age he will not be charged.