Should a 12-year-old play Borderlands?
Borderlands is a popular first-person shooter game known for its over-the-top humor, intense violence, and gruesome content. While the game is designed for adults, some parents may wonder if it’s suitable for their 12-year-old child. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why Borderlands may not be the best choice for a 12-year-old and provide some guidance on how to make an informed decision.
Why Borderlands is not suitable for 12-year-olds
- Violence and gore: Borderlands features a high level of violence, including dismembered bodies, blood, and gore. The game’s cartoonish style may make it seem less intense, but it’s still not suitable for young children.
- Strong language: The game contains strong language, including profanity, which may not be suitable for children.
- Mature themes: Borderlands deals with mature themes, such as rape, drug use, and suggestive content, which may not be appropriate for young children.
- Complex gameplay: Borderlands has a complex gameplay system, which may be difficult for younger children to understand and navigate.
ESRB Rating and Parental Guidance
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates Borderlands as "M17" for Mature 17 and older, due to its intense violence, blood, and gore. However, this rating is based on the game’s original release, and the new Borderlands 3 game has some changes to its content.
Changes in Borderlands 3
- Censored gore: Borderlands 3 has toned down its gore, making it less intense than previous games.
- Stronger parental controls: The game allows parents to customize their child’s experience, including the ability to turn off gore and strong language.
What parents should consider
- Child’s maturity level: Children develop at different rates, and some may be more mature than others. Consider your child’s sensitivity to violence, language, and mature themes before making a decision.
- Other factors: Consider other factors, such as your child’s interest in the game, their ability to understand complex gameplay, and their overall maturity level.
Alternatives for 12-year-olds
- Other games: Consider other games that are designed for younger children, such as Lego games, Minecraft, or kid-friendly first-person shooters like Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
- Age restrictions: Set age restrictions on the game, limiting access to certain content or features.
Conclusion
Borderlands is a game designed for adults, and its content may not be suitable for 12-year-olds. While the game has made some changes to its content, it’s still important for parents to consider their child’s maturity level, sensitivity to violence and language, and overall maturity before making a decision. If you do decide to let your child play Borderlands, make sure to set age restrictions and monitor their progress.
Table: Borderlands Content
| Content | Description |
|---|---|
| Violence | High level of violence, including dismembered bodies, blood, and gore |
| Strong language | Profanity and strong language |
| Mature themes | Rape, drug use, and suggestive content |
| Complex gameplay | Complex gameplay system, including character customization and skill trees |
Bullet points: What parents should consider
• Child’s maturity level
• Other factors, such as interest in the game, ability to understand complex gameplay, and overall maturity level
• Setting age restrictions on the game
• Monitoring child’s progress and adjusting settings as needed