How Young is Too Young for Game of Thrones?
When you become a parent there are a million things to worry about. Many nights are spent lying awake debating whether or not it would be too dangerous to allow your six year old to play football or if your teenage daughter has a secret boyfriend she hasn’t told you about. One of the things parents tend to worry about the most is at what point is it time to start introducing the “difficult” topics (violence, sex, abuse, and drugs). While some parents wait until their child has reached puberty to begin discussing sex, others talk about it from the first moment a child asks a question. These difficult topics and the desperation to find the right time can often plague a parent’s mind for years before they sit their child down to have these conversations.
In 2013, parents have a whole new dilemma to deal with. In a generation where these topics seem to be the basis for most novels, movies, and television shows, the possibility of children learning about these things (in a way we might not wish them to) increases exponentially. The reality is undeniable. These topics have become a staple of our society. It’s almost impossible to find a “family friendly” television show that everyone enjoys.
While HBO has a wonderful family selection available for the customers with On Demand, debate has sparked about whether or not the major shows the network provides are appropriate for younger generations. This past week our Facebook page has practically imploded with people commenting about whether or not the ever-popular Game of Thrones falls into the “family friendly” category (though our comment here was meant to be tongue-in-cheek).
I’m looking at this from a parent’s perspective and with the understanding that not everyone might agree with my stance. The fact that I have pretty liberal views when it comes to parenting my daughter should also be noted. We’ve been regularly discussing those “difficult topics” since she was around four years old. I’ve always been a big believer in: if she’s old enough to wonder about it, it’s my responsibility to educate her.
That having been said, I don’t think I would be comfortable allowing her to watch a show with so many of these things at once until she reached an age where she had the maturity to fully understand what she was seeing. Personally, I love every single aspect of the show and obsessively watch it each week. And while I think it’s important to educate our children and to talk about things with them instead of brushing them under the rug, Game of Thrones just isn’t appropriate for younger children.
If one goes by the typical ratings given to shows on other channels or even the ones that are given to feature films, Game of Thrones would definitely score a rating of R or higher. That rating suggests an age of seventeen or older and often require a teenager to show identification proving their age or the presence of a parent. The show deals with incest, graphic sex scenes, extreme violence, betrayal, sexual abuse, drugs, rape, and drinking. While it has some amazing qualities such as brilliant writing, fantastic actors, a detailed history that mirrors reality, redemption and beautiful scenes, these things can easily be overshadowed by the harsh reality depicted on the show.
There is huge difference between discussing something with your child and having it shown on screen, which is one of the difficult lines that parents walk. I am a full supporter of having such talks and not leaving children in the dark about the realities of the world we live in. However, my daughter will not be enjoying the amazingness that is Game of Thrones until she is at least sixteen years old, which is one of the beauties provided to us buy [amazon_link id=”B00BIVHNNM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]DVD box-sets[/amazon_link].
So that’s how my family plays it. What about yours? We’re looking to hear from the Game of Thrones community today. At what age would you allow your child to enter the world of Westeros? What about the books? Is the age there any different? Leave us a comment below and send in your vote in the poll here:
[poll id=”23″]
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I’m 13 years old and I haven’t watched the seasons of Game of Thrones yet. My mother says it’s to “inappropriate,” but what really annoys me is that all that happens in this show is exactly what is happening today! Yes, it has sex, nudity, violence, violence towards women, etc., but this show is showing, historically, what happened back then! How people were treated! As a girl/woman myself, this show will hopefully teach me a lesson of how my gender was treated hundreds of years ago. When parents are banning us from not watching these types of shows, it annoys me. I mean, yes, it’s obvious you aren’t going to show a 5 year old GOT, but I think when puberty hits (12-13?) this could be a good time of allowing your child to possibly watch this. Don’t force them! Just, if they find out about this show. Talk with them. Make them understand what they are watching. None of it is real. Watch the movie with them! I mean, if both the child and you feel comfortable. I don’t really like watching movies/shows with sexual activity, etc., with my parents. Just my thoughts! Give me reasons to watch this show! It seems beautifully directed and written.
I’m 14 right now and I haven’t started the show, but I’m planning to. My mom is crazy controlling about what I watch, but my dad & stepmom don’t really care? My dad’s always told me that “if you think you’re mature enough for something, go for it”. And when I was 11, I always stuck to the rules. I didn’t play 12+ games my mom didn’t approve of. For a while I didn’t watch anything. No shows. I was too old for kid cartoons, but too squeamish for even something like the first Harry Potter movie. Luckily I’ve grown out of that. I think I agree with my dad. I was terrified of gore up until my 13th birthday, and between 13-14 i slowly learned to handle it. I’m glad I did, honestly. I know, as a person, what I am capable of watching. I do extensive research up front for the harder things, like when I spent two weeks doubting whether I should or shouldn’t watch Deadpool.
As for the sex, though, I really don’t care. I’m only ever uncomfortable with it around my parents. I haven’t cared about “ooh sex” since elementary school. Kids my age watch porn, and there are in fact a picture of both a naked man and a naked woman in my biology book, so it’s nothing I haven’t seen.
Just know your kid. If they’re mature enough, let them decide for themselves.
I am twelve and I watched all seasons but I skipped all the nude parts. It’s a really good show, but if you are squeamish or whatever then you should skip the nude parts. I totally agree with you. My dad isn’t home and my grandmother doesn’t pay attention to what I watch or the games I play. There are also lots of memorable characters that make up for the inappropriate scenes.
I’m 16. I’ve watched Season 1 (I’d have read the books first, but I tried that with the Hunger Games and it sucked) and now am on Season 2. I think Game of Thrones is awesome. Kids usually at my age do watch porn and stuff, so I really don’t think GoT is such a big deal. Parents, sorry to burst yoir bubble, but if you look under the covers at night, that’s what’s happening. That being said, GoT’s violence is part of reality-there are worse atrocities committed in real life-just because they don’t get that much news coverage, we choose to be ignorant. My father had no problem with GoT whatsoever-he knows it’s a great show. People, watch GoT if you’re mature and have the nerve. I know I’m mature- because I knew better than to cry at my grandfather’s death because I had to console someone else. 16 it is for me-what’s yours?
I am 33 and I watch the show. Not for the boobies, but for the story as I loved the booked. I wish the fat fuck finished the books , but they’ll do the show first and he’ll die from overeating .
For boobies and sex I don’t go to shows, I come here.
So if any of you want to show them hit me up
I’m 14 years old. It’s 2018. My sister and I have watched all of Game of Thrones, starting late last year. We had no idea what it was until someone finally told us to watch it. My sister is 10. We don’t let her watch the nudity or sex, but she knows why it’s there. I understand that some parents may tell me I’m a bad kid for seeing and my parents have no judgement, but honestly, it doesn’t matter, they still let me see it. I’m old enough. I’ve seen a lot of things worse than sex, nudity, blood, and guts. But a lot of people don’t understand that the sex and nudity is a part of life, and that this is what went on in those days. It still goes on now! People still have sex! I don’t think that there is anything wrong with it, as long as you know your kids maturity. I live in a very progressive household, I know a lot more than a kid “should” at my age, and for any parents, I’m pretty sure your kids know more than they let on. Just think on that. The era we live in revolves around dirty and illegal things.
Clear & simple….The fact that our brains aren’t developed until the mid 20s means that “legal adults” (those age 18+) are allowed to make adult decisions, without fully mature brains. Someone who is 18 may make riskier decisions than someone in their mid-20s in part due to lack of experience, but primarily due to an underdeveloped brain. All behaviors and experiences you endure until the age of 25 have potential to impact your developing brain. Maybe scientists and parents and other adults like some of us here just want allow you to be healthy teens and young adults rather than impacting you brain with all the drama GoT throws at you. Not that you aren’t smart enough to catch the plot. Not that you can’t handle the traumatic events or pain involved in the show. Just protect you heart and you mind…let it stay a healthy place to continue to it’s development.
I am sad to see most people think kids at 15 should watch GOT. Thats why the world is becoming so sick because people in their most vulnerable age watch such things. Shame on you parents with NO judgement whatsoever, you are making the world a worse place.
Agree!!!
shut up please, thank you
Oh Your poor children will be fucked up. Im sorry you have no sense.
Some people are letting 9 year olds (or younger!) watch this show. 15, in comparison, is much better in my mind. I cannot believe someone would let their elementary age kids watch this show religiously. i love the show, but a child that young should not be exposed to the kinds of things Ramsay Bolton is up to.
To be honest, I don’t think 9 year olds would understand the show.
The world is not becoming sick because of a show with sexual situations and nudity. People don’t shoot other people because they watched sex on tv. People don’t rob others because of gore and nude men/women.
Is it ironic to censor someone for pointing out censorship laws?
I hope not because here they are.
http://www.tvguidelines.org/ratings.htm
The parental ratings system is not up for debate.
http://www.tvguidelines.org/ratings.htm
Yes. Yes it is, you fascist.
Unfortunately the prevailing attitude these days is children should be exposed to sex at every turn. You have people advocating that children be allowed to watch Game of Thrones or the recent hardcore movie (which isn’t porn because it was made by a respected director instead of someone named Seymore Butts) Love 3D or Orange is the New Black. The sexually explicit and violent Jessica Jones was shown at a sci-fi convention in NYC with children in the audience apparently and no one cared. So I’ve thrown my hands up in surrender. The TV ratings should be eliminated and I’m looking forward to the release of “Baby’s First Porno” coming soon to a Toys R Us near you.
I can’t believe how prudish the commenters are! Sure, it’s obviously not for kids, but nowadays teens are so exposed to much worse content online and around them everyday that it doesn’t make much sense to forbid them from watching a show like this. Clearly you have to reach a certain level of maturity to understand and have a moral stance on the themes and explicitness of the show, but after 16 or so, most teens have that level of maturity. And if you feel your child doesn’t have it yet, then explain to him how to interpret what he is watching. Don’t forbid him, especially if the show is popular among his friends. It may sound stupid, but there’s nothing more important to a child than social acceptance and he would certainly feel pathetic if he couldn’t share the magical world of Westeros with his friends.
Also, it’s a really great show. Don’t spoil the experience for him just because it contains explicit content. Explain to him your stance on sexual relationships and whatever other matters concern you about the show. There’s just so much more to the story than the few moments of gratuitous sexual content in each episode.
As long as people are able to distinguish fantasy from reality then they can watch the show regardless of age.
At least that is what I think
I was 13 when I was allowed to watch Terminator 2, which had a lot of content pretty close to this…boy was I enthralled :) Any younger though…especially scenes like Oberyn’s head and Sansa’s rape.
not even close to this intensity…besides sarah getting licked when shes strapped down
Well, a lot of people got shot and stabbed though.
I watched Terminator as a child (by that I mean when I was 5 or so) and I was just fine. My mom looooves films like Terminator, Alien and so, and I’d always watch them with her as a child. We had so much fun.
I would have been absolutely terrified of the Terminator when I was five. Even Star Wars was too much for me :)
It’s a kids show.
I’m an age, and here’s my opinion.
Obviously the level of maturity of each single person should be taken into consideration and it is true that violence and sex are everywhere, but sex and violence are particularly visual in GOT and I wouldn’t allow my < 18-year-old children to watch it.
I’m almost 12 and I have watched the entire series and I loved it. I know other kids at my age would scream at the violence and look away at the sex scenes. My parents do not know I watch it but I consider myself mature enough to be able to cope with the adult themes. The sex and violence isn’t there for no reason, in reality, there are brothels and gore in places where there is war.
Haha … you’re just like me. XD I’m a bit older than you but I started watching when I was 12. Yes, I think that it depends on the individual and how mature they are; I just hope my parents don’t find out lol
If you have to hide something from your parents you don’t need to be doing it.
Couldn’t disagree more. Years ago when I was 16 I had to hide my watching of the Simpsons. You underestimate how retarded parents can be.
Many parents are absurdly controlling and limiting rubystars (just read all the other comments here). Of course teens are going to try to do these things anyway, that’s human nature. Allowing your kids to watch these shows with you (and openly discussing these issues) creates a much more honest and open relationship. You expect them to come talk to you about real life sex questions after you tell them this show is taboo? Or do you honestly believe your children are virgins until 18?
Ditto, I’m almost 13 and do the same… exempt I’m still on season one :p
I’m turning 19 now, but my sister (she just turned 13 this Monday) has been watching GOT since she turned 12. She loves the show and enjoys it. That said, she asked me to spoil her major violent scenes and such up until the end of season 5. If she thinks she’ll be fine she watches them, if she thinks she doesn’t then she’ll just watch them when she turns older.
I think it really depends on how mature the child is. I can tell that some of the youngsters commenting that they have watched it are mature enough. Especially since they are able to reflect to an age that they think they wouldn’t have been ready to watch it. I think a good rule of thumb if you want to make sure you are making the right choice as a parent is “if you can read the books you can watch the series” but come on. If your kid wants to watch it they will find a way to. I saw some things that I shouldn’t have at a young age (as I think everyone has) and we turn out fine. Just take to your kid about the mature themes.
I’m 17, and I truly enjoy the Game of Thrones. Had you shown me the show when I was say, 13, I would have flinched at the sex scenes, seeing as that’s a given, but other than that, I view myself as being mature enough to be able to watch such an intriguing show.
Cool story
the scenes caught way off guard especially when the scene changes so rapidly and girls start moaning.. I’m like OH SHIT!! I quickly lower the volume
I’m twelve years old and i have watched to episode 8!
UPDATE:I have now crossed into season 3 teritorry
Thanks for the update!
I would say most people today could watch it when they’re 16, I’ve seen the whole series this year and I’m 15. However, I am used to the violence so it wasn’t really a problem for me, I got to say though, the torture scene is disgusting and would’ve quit watching it if they showed “more detail.”
I’m 15 and could probably have watched this when I was 14 aswell (I do read he books aswell, so that does give me another picture of the series). My older brother who’s 38 (don’t ask me how that works) sometimes have problems with watching these kind of stuff (like, the goriest of the goriest), so it all comes down to how mature you are. Here in Sweden the highest age for watching certain movies and series is 15 years, but I always take the age rating with a pinch of salt. Violence and scary or disturbing content is what is taken the most serious, then sex and drug/alcohol use and bad language is last. Due to the violence the and sexual content the show still gets the highest rating here though. But off course I can’t apply this rating system on other countries, who all have their reasons for their rating system, which I understand, so let’s get back to the matter at hand. I think a mature kid at 14-ish, who can distinguish the difference between rality and fiction, and understand that most of the so called ”adult content” depicted in this amazing show would never occur in real life, should be fine with watching the series. It has a great plot and story. Keep in mind that most of the screen time is dedicated to the other parts of the story, like for example: political strife, propaganda, war tactics, magic, survival e.t.c. Altough the violence and sex is present, it does make up a minority of the show.
=)
I’m 12 old, and I read book. It’s realy cool actualy (I’m reading Clash of Kings now).
I’m 11 and i watch it, BOOBIES ; )
… Exactly the reason why you shouldn’t be watching it.
ffs, it’s just a show
Boobs are a natural thing lmao
I’m 17, i would of started watching Game Of Thrones earlier, at season 1, when i was 14, but i was caught up watching Breaking Bad, Dexter and The Sopranos on DVD, I think it’s ok for 12-13 > to watch it, if your mature. Sure it’s violent, i love violence in movies and TV, but that doesn’t mean i like violence in real life, i hate violence in real life, i hate watching the news when their taking about bombings and murders. I’m a big movie buff, and i love stuff like, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez (not including spy kids 4 or sharkboy and lavagirl which are shitty movies) Films, but it’s all stylized, as is game of thrones, it’s not liked gross out, fucked up shit like human centipede.
And the torture scene in season three wasn’t that bad, remember, it’s not real, it’s just a show. At least you didn’t see his dick get cut off
The sex and nudity in the show is “Very Nice” haha, my girlfriends and girlfriend watches it and they don’t find it shocking
If your not a psycho and know the difference between fiction and reality, then you should watch it, it’s soooooo AWESOME
18. Anything below is just wrong. If you spend your adolescence being exposed to such violence, I wonder what is left to look forward to in adulthood. At 15, I want to read and appreciate Harry Potter, The Hobbits and Chronicles of Narnia. Story meant for adolescences.
There is no reality in Game of Thrones, that reality was thousands of years ago. I don’t eat in KFC with the fear of a hound walking in, demanding for all the fucking chicken and then eventually fucking shit up. So please, the argument that GoT is realistic is invalid.
It’s a shame though, with all these technologies around, there is almost no point putting a restriction on it. Kids will find it, will enjoy it and eventually lose their beauty of innocence.
There is time for everything.
HP, Hobbit and Narnia are for 10-13 years old children
Early Harry Potter, the Hobbit and Narnia are aimed for ages 10-13.
Yeah
Uh I’ve been watching stuff similar to Game of Thrones since I was like 11? and I’ve turned just fine. Not everyone matures the same way.
We all watched things we weren’t supposed to as kids. I started GoT when I was 16. There’s no reason whatsoever that I should have waited either, honestly.
Well it’s sort of realistic (if you don’t count the dragons or wights or Night King) but sex or porn isn’t the only thing in the world. But people shouldn’t let the sex ruin the show, the plot itself if awesome and enthralling. I hated it at first. My sister begged me to watch it with her and I don’t regret it. But GoT also has some seriously bloody scenes, beheading and burning and cutting in half and guts and pouring molten gold onto one’s head. But all in all, I’d say GoT is a worthwhile show.