Is TSTO appropriate for a 9 year old?

neuroheart wrote:
I think it really depends on individual maturity level. Some nine year olds probably shouldn't play tapped out. Not that it would be traumatizing or anything, but certain things might upset them, particularly Halloween events and such. Most nine year olds would probably be fine, but it does depend. Sounds like your niece probably wouldn't be upset by such things, though.

Much of the more adult content I can think of is tied to premium characters (Otto, Dr Nick, Princess Kashmir) so if that's a strong concern, it's easy to keep out of her game by simply not buying her donuts. Yes, there's a free stripper as well, so I know that's something to think about.

One thing to consider is that this might actually be a good way to start a dialogue with her about important life issues if it makes her curious. Maybe she'll ask about strippers if she gets that far, and her parents can tell her that some women do this for a living, and discuss life choices and so on. Just a thought. Probably a better way to go than her stumbling across it on some dark corner of the internet in a year or two.

This is a valid point and seems to keep popping up in one form or another. It is definitely something I will mention to her parents - it would give them the chance to discuss this on their terms with her (paraphrasing from what both you and other contributors to this discussion have said). I'm glad that things like this are being brought up - it sheds light on some of the larger issues at hand (maturity, understanding issues that she may or may not already be aware of...).

Everyone has brought up valuable points, whether they have voted yes, no or not sure. At the end I think I'll print this discussion out for her parents to read and have complete access to. It's definitely an engaging topic, and they may want to discuss this with other parents - in the context of gaming or even just in the context of growing up in general.

EDIT: and I'm also glad you mentioned that most of the more "controversial" (for lack of a better term) characters are premium... It is a way to sort of control her in game exposure to at least some of the things I'm concerned about. Your counterpoint of opening up a discussion with her is really resonating with me, though. But I'm not sure if it will resonate with her mom and dad as much as it does with me.

annettemarc wrote:
If it helps, if you google "tapped out level quests", the top listing is a site called simpsonswiki. On the page that comes up is a list of all the levels, which then take you to a list of the quests for that level ... clicking on each quest, takes you to the full dialogue.

Just in case you wanted to pre-screen a level (?) ... if you find one that you'd like her to skip, you can just complete that level yourself when she's not around, and then when she starts playing again, that dialogue is no longer available to her.

Might be a little cumbersome, but ... what the heck. :)

Another good way of controlling her exposure to in game stuff I'm concerned about - this is a good idea, but I'm not sure that it would work - she would be independently playing the game (as she would have it on her own device, it limits the amount of supervision).

Would you let her watch The Simpsons? If so, I see no reason for her not to play the game. I have a 7 year old as a neighbour. Her Dad asked for people to add her in the forum when I first started playing and she was 6 back then. I have never had the heart to unfriend her, even though her progress is slow and she rarely visits. :D

Jax001100 wrote:
Would you let her watch The Simpsons? If so, I see no reason for her not to play the game. I have a 7 year old as a neighbour. Her Dad asked for people to add her in the forum when I first started playing and she was 6 back then. I have never had the heart to unfriend her, even though her progress is slow and she rarely visits. :D

My daughter is 7 years old, and I would never, never,

EVER

dream of unfriending her. No matter how infrequently she plays. She earned a $10 donut purchase about 8 months ago by a beautiful act of kindness, and she still has most of them. She's moving very slowly, but Molzpink and I decided that with as much time as she sees, AND hears us Tapping, that she should be able to as well.

She watches The Simpsons and Bob's Burgers with us (but never Family Guy or American Dad, for obvious reasons). Also, as rosesgirlnz posted, she is not allowed to read the forums (too boring for her, no need to worry there), or have any Neighborinos besides Mom, Dad, and Other Springfield.

I don't think it's an issue unless the child doesn't have a filter between what is heard and what is said. Our girl has heard things that would make a sailor blush, but knows that it's not to come out of her mouth (we'll see about that when she's a teen, however). But above all, since it's your niece, just make sure her parents know about the game, trusting your judgement or not. The last thing you want is for her to tell daddy that her "imaginary friend thinks you're stupid."

Ya in my opinion its fine for a 9 year old. My sister is the one who got me into this game and at the time she was 8 lol. The only dialogue I think could be inappropriate is the level with Nelson's mom but she probably wont get that far and even if she does its not that bad. Plus she most likely wont get that far in the first place. Also the game is not as inappropriate as the show and I personally think the show is appropriate enough to watch once you turn 8. Since all the "adult" jokes go over your head but you can still appreciate the comedy. Also some shows on Nick and Cartoon network makes some pretty dirty jokes including Spongebob cursing, Spongebob making a prison * joke, and an Easter egg in Invader Zim indirectly telling people to do drugs. So ya just my opinions but in the end its up to you and what you think is right.

Let's be real. What we thought was a big deal when we were that age is in some instances the complete opposite with this generation. I see kids that are 8-9 years old talk about things I only found out when I was 13-14 so hiding things from them seems pointless. They'll get exposed to things regardless of how much we try shielding them. The best thing to do is moderate how much they know, or try to figure out and when they ask, just explain it respectfully without making the kid feel stupid or "too young"

It's always a good idea to be proactive about teaching things and exposing things to kids instead of pushing it off until you feel it's the right age. You need keep in mind the generational gap, and the fact that we live in a very open society. That's why I'm of the mindset of teaching the child something on my terms, rather then them hearing it from people who won't be is proper about certain things.

Of course every child needs his/her own approach depending on their sensitivity, matureness, and sometimes even age.

Just use your better judgement, and always assume they've heard worse, because chances are they did.

Also, she's your niece. It's your duty to corrupt her! If you don't do it, someone else will, and then they'll be the cool one.

Be the cool one now, and then you'll be the one to guide her through real moral dilemmas later.

I voted yes as I've recently been working with a drama group of kids around that age. I don't think that the content of TSTO is problematic - there is no really bad language (like you would find on television) or disturbing stuff like you would find in a newspaper (or on the internet).

I'd rather that kids of that age found more beneficial pastimes than gaming, but if they are going to waste their time gaming it is better to play TSTO than those death, blood, gore and horror kill-fests that the kids I know like.

I voted no, only because I'm pretty sure when you start a new account it asks for your age.

I don't know what the age restriction is though and I go along with people that have said if she watches the show then she would be fine with the game.

I've just checked, it's 12+

I realize that this may be a bit vague, but this is how I see it: Would you let someone that young watch the TV show? If yes, you can let them play the game. If no, then no to the game.