Should video-game age ratings apply to physical age or mental age?
Should a mature-minded 13 year old be allowed to play a 16+ rated game?
by 
Omar Little
ANSWERS: 2
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Who decides someones maturity? Who enforces ratings? The parents. It's up to them and them alone what a child of any age is or is not allowed to play. As far as purchasing games goes, many retailers will not sell 16+ games to anyone under 16, in some areas this may be enforced by law. No amount of maturity helps here, it is not the retailers place to decide someone's maturity, all they can go on is chronological age.
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I think that is totally up to the parent to decide. As unwilling as many stupid people are to realize that the gaming industry is made up of primarily 18-30 yr old men, not children and games are not just for children (as well as cartoons), it is a fact. There of course should be M rated games to suit all tastes since people of all ages, sexes and backgrounds are gamers.. IT is not the job of the government or gaming industry to police or censor or protect our youth..it is the job of the parents. As long as there is a good ratings system in place, then it is up to the parents to be proactive, be aware of what their kids rent or buy or watch and only they can decide whether they feel their child is old enough to handle the content on a game, tv show or movie. PArental controls, ratings systems, and denial of sales to minors without a parent present/parent's consent is all the protection we need.....now it's time for parents to raise their own children and quit expecting everyone else to do it for them.
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