TL;DR: Your kid is likely hearing about M-rated games like Grand Theft Auto V and Call of Duty because they are the ultimate "cool" currency on the playground. While Content Warning is the latest viral trend involving "SpookTube" fame, the real risk often lies in the unmoderated voice chats rather than just the pixels. If you aren't ready for the "M" life, check out our guide to age-appropriate shooters or explore T-rated alternatives to GTA.
If you’ve been at a school pickup lately and heard a group of ten-year-olds discussing "heists," "loadouts," or "filming monsters for views," you aren’t losing your mind. You’re just witnessing the trickle-down effect of gaming culture.
Even if your kid is strictly a Minecraft or Roblox player, they are swimming in a sea of classmates who are playing—or at least watching YouTube streamers play—games designed for adults. The pressure to "play up" is real. Nobody wants to be the kid called "Ohio" (which, for the uninitiated, is currently shorthand for weird or cringe) because they’re the only one not allowed to play the big new release.
But before you cave to the "but everyone else is doing it" argument, let’s look at what’s actually happening on those screens.
Let’s be blunt: Grand Theft Auto V is not a "borderline" game. It is a full-throttle crime simulator. While kids mostly want to play the "Online" mode to customize cars and run around a massive city with friends, the world is inherently hyper-violent, features frequent drug use, and includes "interactive" strip clubs.
- The Verdict: If you’re an intentional parent, this is a hard "not yet" for the elementary and middle school crowd. It’s not just the violence; it’s the cynical, adult worldview.
- The Alternative: Burnout Paradise Remastered for the car culture or Lego City Undercover for the open-world exploration without the nihilism.
Whether it’s the latest Modern Warfare or the free-to-play Warzone, COD is the gold standard for social gaming in many circles. The "realistic" military violence is one thing, but the real danger is the lobby culture. Public voice chat in COD is a toxic wasteland of profanity and harassment that would make a sailor blush.
- The Verdict: If you allow it, the "Mute All" button is your best friend. The game itself is a high-octane sport, but the community is often bottom-of-the-barrel.
- The Alternative: Splatoon 3 offers the same competitive rush with zero toxicity, or Apex Legends for a slightly more "mature" feel that stays within the T-rating.
This is the new kid on the block. It’s a co-op horror game where the goal is to film scary things to get famous on "SpookTube." It’s incredibly popular because it perfectly mirrors the influencer culture kids see on YouTube and TikTok. It’s goofy, scary, and built for "clips."
- The Verdict: Compared to GTA, this is much milder. The "horror" is physics-based and often funny. The main concern is the online interaction with strangers.
- The Alternative: Lethal Company (similar vibe, slightly more intense) or Phasmophobia.
Ask our chatbot for a comparison of Content Warning vs. Lethal Company
Kids aren't necessarily "bloodthirsty." They are status-thirsty.
- Social Currency: Being able to talk about "The Gulag" in COD or a "five-star wanted level" in GTA makes them feel like they are part of the "in" crowd.
- Influencer Mimicry: They see their favorite YouTubers screaming and laughing while playing Content Warning and they want to replicate that joy with their own friends.
- The Forbidden Fruit: Let’s be real—anything with an "M" rating has an automatic +10 to its coolness factor.
If you feel the pressure but aren't ready to hand over a controller for Grand Theft Auto V, there are ways to navigate this without being the "no-tech" house.
1. The "T" Tier (Ages 11-13)
Transitioning from Minecraft to T-rated (Teen) games is a huge win for kids. Games like Destiny 2, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, or Apex Legends look and feel "mature" without the strip clubs and f-bombs.
2. The "Co-Op" Compromise
If your kid wants to play something edgy, suggest a co-op game where they only play with friends they know in real life. Helldivers 2 is rated M for "intense violence" and "blood and gore," but it’s a satirical, over-the-top sci-fi shooter. If played with a parent or a trusted group of friends with voice chat restricted to the party, it’s a very different experience than a public COD lobby.
3. Use the "Screenwise Method"
Before saying yes or no, walk through our survey to see how these games fit into your community. If 80% of your kid’s friend group is playing Fortnite (which is T-rated and generally fine with the right settings), that’s a very different conversation than if they are the only one asking for Grand Theft Auto V.
Learn more about how to set up parental controls for PlayStation 5
If you're on the fence about a game, the best move isn't reading a review—it's watching a "Let's Play" on YouTube. Search for "{Game Title} gameplay no commentary." Within five minutes, you’ll know if it’s a "hard no" or a "maybe with conditions."
Crucial tip: Don't just look at the graphics. Listen to the audio. Many "mature" games are actually pretty tame visually but have scripts that use the F-word as a comma.
When the "everyone else is playing it" argument starts, try this:
"I know it feels like everyone is playing Call of Duty, but that game is built for adults, and the people talking in those lobbies can be really toxic. I’m not okay with you being exposed to that yet. Let's look at Halo Infinite or Apex Legends instead. They’re just as competitive, but the community and content are a better fit for right now."
You aren't being a "hater"—you're being a curator.
The playground will always move faster than the ESRB ratings. Today it’s Content Warning, tomorrow it will be something else with a "Skibidi" twist. Your job isn't to block everything; it's to provide the context.
Grand Theft Auto V and Call of Duty aren't "evil," but they are designed for a level of maturity that most 10-year-olds simply don't have yet. It’s okay to be the parent who says "not yet." They’ll have plenty of time to be cynical adults later—for now, let them keep their "Ohio" innocence a little longer.
Next Steps:
- Check the Stats: Use Screenwise to see what percentage of kids in your child's grade are actually playing these games.
- Audit the Voice Chat: If you allow M-rated games, ensure "Public Voice Chat" is turned OFF.
- Explore Alternatives: Check out our list of best T-rated shooters for middle schoolers.
Ask our chatbot about the specific risks of GTA Online for kids