Children playing video games that are rated higher than their age?

No, I don't think you are overreacting. Games have ratings just like Movies and TV shows for a reason. Kids need to develop a healthy mind and learn things when they are at the right age. I don't have any kids but for sure I wouldn't want my 7 year old watching or playing a game that is rated M.

I think it depends entirely on the child. I have a nine year old child who has played some games that are rated teen, but none that are rated M. I think it depends too on whether or not he would be playing them alone or with an adult who could monitor the games and perhaps use them to start discussions etc. I find the rating system a little odd actually for games and movies. When my son was younger, for instance there were some G movies that gave him nightmares. No matter what though, I would be angry at family members trying to slip some by you.

I think it probably depends on the game. Sometimes the ratings are set high just because of violence...but it might not be a type of violence that your son could recreate anyways. I would say go on a game by game basis. Maybe rent it first and see what it is like before you buy it for him. You are the best judge of what you want your child exposed to.

I think that you are his mother and it is your decission what you want him to play and what you don't want him to play. As mothers we do what is best for our kids. My daughter is three and our rule is NO soda, we have had some ask why and I tell them and they push it I had her and I will decide. I also don't let my daughter watch live TV to often as if I am not sure what a show is I won't let her watch it until I have seen it. I have put my foot down with a few things and family members know I won't budge any more. So it is your son and if you don't want him playing some of the games then say NO. I know I have even asked my husband not to play some games while our daughter is up. Some games have a lot of voilence in them and blood, kids need to have a chance to be kids and not desisntized so early.

I don't want to sound patronising but some games are rated too high in today's modern society I myself was an avid fan of video games and I always found some games ratings ridiculous. There are some which are rated too highly and others which you question there actual rating. There's only one way to find out how high the game should be rated and that's through either playing parts of the game or try doing a search looking at a review may help you see why a game is given it's rating. I'm sure there's probably a forum out there called mums worry about games ratings or something along them lines. If there isn't then I myself might just make one because I think this is a good idea, a community of mums questioning whether a game is suitable for the kids age.

i don't know since most games i play and i only play games like kingdom hearts, wild arm, final fantasy, and the mana's games(dawn of mana, sword of mana, and such.) My sister plays it too and she's 11. So i guess that would be a no for me.