Just for fun, I'm curious to know how long everyone has been playing :) I got into Sims 2 aged 10ish and I've had long periods (years) not playing but now in my mid-30s I'm still playing Sims 3 lol...
2011, when I got my own laptop and started hiding things from my parents (like being gay or eating gluten). I played TS1 & 2 with friends who were allowed to buy T-rated games though, and made sure no one was watching.