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An online poll caught our attention. It asks, what would you fear most if your 17-year-old was sleeping over at a friend's house -- smoking pot, drinking beer, watching porn or playing Grand Theft Auto? We were surprised with the results.
When the latest Grand Theft Auto game came out earlier this year, it was slammed by critics. The game involves bloody killings and images of strippers and hookers. It's disturbing for many parents, but where would playing GTA rank in the worry factor if your 17 year old was sleeping over at a friend's house?
A recent online poll on whattheyplay.com asked parents that question. We asked some parents what they think.
"Probably smoking pot and drinking beer."
"I guess it would be smoking pot or the alcohol one."
"Smoking pot and drinking beer. Just because they don't know how to control it at that age."
The parents we asked were right on with marijuana as the worst worry, but look what finished in second -- Grand Theft Auto. More parents in the online poll appear to be worried that their 17-year-old is playing the violent video game than watching porn or drinking beer. We needed a psychologist to explain that one.
"I think they have prepared themselves to some extent that their 17-year-old is probably going to experiment with those other things and they did too," says Dr. Julie Powell-Thomas. "And that is a more familiar risk to them. These video games we still don't know what the risks are."
One parent we spoke with has played the game in question.
"I've played the game. It's not a good game to play. Just period."
But, many other parents haven't played it, and have no idea what's in Grand Theft Auto. And this poll may be an indication that, for them, its the fear of the unknown.
On The Net:
www.whattheyplay.com
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