Parents Scared of GTA More than Drugs

Riding on the GTA hate train, a press release by parent gaming resource What They Play notes that parents are more scared of their children playing Grand Theft Auto than drinking alcohol or watching pornography.

This was the result of a poll of over 1600 parents who were asked what they would be most concerned about their children doing while at a sleepover. While marijuana topped the poll, playing GTA came in at a close second, with porn and alcohol rounding out the list.

“Although these findings seem surprising at first, they hint at fears parents have about video games,” said Grand Theft Childhood co-author Cheryl K. Olson. “To some parents, video games are full of unknowable dangers… Of course, parents don’t want their children drinking alcohol, but that’s a more familiar risk.”

The Grand Theft Auto series has been a scapegoat for politicians and other groups for its so-called “objectionable” content. A recent murder of a Thai cab driver is also being linked back to the game.