What age would you call your son able to play M for Mature Games?

Speaking from a purely personal perspective, I think that it really depends on the context that family puts into the environment. I know that I myself was playing games with gore or blood when I was in my teens, but I was steered away from things that may have been overtly sexual.

In the end, the big difference is the fact that there was someone there to discuss my games with me, to tell me what was true and what needed context. What was reality and fantasy.

It's the same theory behind what you let your child watch on TV or in the movies. If you're not comfortable with it there, don't be comfortable with it here.

And take an interest in what he's doing, talk to him about it, even if it bores you out of your skull. Just don't talk down to him (They hate that) and don't judge him if he just "killed a whole bunch of guys".

Good parenting and showing an interest goes a long way for a kid nowadays.

Typically the game itself will give you an age suggestion. But going off your own child is best. Most games have the ability to turn blood & gore off nowadays. Which thats not always the extent of the mature content. You can look a game up and see reviews for it and find out whats bad in the game. A lil research helps. Example. I'll let my cousin play Halo when he comes over with the blood turned off. But I won't let him play Grand Theft Auto.

It all depends on the overal mental stability of the child. A parents job is to study their child, and then deem what is appropriate for them. My mom always allowed me to play M rated games for as long as I can remember. But she doesn't let my nephew play them because she doesn't think that he should see the violence and hear the foul language.

I think that is the best approach. Just make sure that the child is able to separate fantasy from fiction. Same goes for R rated movies and music with explicit lyrics.

well i would base it on how mature your son acts im 13 and my grandma and mom have let me play "m" rated games since i waas about ten so if you think your son is mature enogh let him. things to consider that are in most of the "m" rated games is it is just mostly violence, blood & gore, and language. well i hope this helps.

T = PG-13

M = R

Would you let your son watch a rated R movie?

The ESRB should have just done that, so ignorant parents wouldn't be so confused.