'Grand Theft Auto' Credited With Saving Family's Lives

Nice to see a story about gaming with a positive outlook. Yes, I know the violence in games is outrageous at times, but come on, unless your children are sheltered, they are going to see worse in the news. I have not had to censor many games for any of my kids, and you know what? They know those games are not real, they know to not judge real life by them, and they are also very well behaved children and well adjusted. I believe that if children or adults are affected by those games in a way that they cannot distinguish reality from tv, then there is an issue that needs to be addressed with a psychiatrist. I think those people need to be supervised in more than just their gaming time.
Robin momma of 5 cool kids...
Great job to that 11 year old girl for her help with her family, what a cool young lady!!!!

but robin, why would you want your cool children to play violent video games anyway even if they can distinguish real from not real? that just doesn't sound real to me....

Psst...An 11-year-old girl is not a teenager.

Why was an 11-year-old allowed to play Grand Theft Auto anyway?

OK, anybody that can sit and defend a child playing Grand Theft Auto is simply as warped as this game is. My brother allows my nephew to play it so I have had the opportunity to watch the entire game, and I have to admit that it is down right offensive and disgusting, and it takes quit a bit to offend me. If such violence is your idea of entertainment I would have to question your values. So it kills me how people will say that they let their kids play it and how well adjusted they are, that remains to be seen...

Um, is an 11 y/o really considered a teenager these days? *grin*

Great story, tho.

Streator is in Illinois, not Ontario!

Hey, ever think she might have learned that by watching an older family member play the game?

First off, GTA is a disgusting game, in my opinion, but only for the sleazy actions and options. There's nothing wrong with violence. It's actually a wonderful way to relieve stress. If you play just to use a rocket launcher, or perhaps a flame thrower, I'm all for it.

For another thing, children are growing up a lot faster these days. It's no big deal that an 11 year old plays GTA. Games, movies, music. All just entertainment, something to enjoy. I have my opinions about what's good entertainment and what isn't, just like anyone else, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just because their opinion is different from yours is no reason to shoot them down, or belittle them.

Uh, not to bring down the positive mood, but my sister is much younger than 11, and haven't we all been "taught" in a sense from movies and media that ANY vehicle after a serious accident can possibly catch fire and explode? I've never even touched GTA, but I know this too.

Personally I think it's silly to tie the two together since it seems like such a common-sense tidbit. I was half expecting the article to say something along the lines of how she was OUTSIDE the car and needed to break in to save her family... then that might make more sense if it was tied to GTA, haha.

nag nag nag, be glad every ones alright! go gta! if your a gamer you can understand it, if not, dont try to, you just need to get into the games to appreciate them.

I have a 4 children 17-22.The eldest is a boy.They grew up playing cowboy and indians.My son was a fan of horror movies Chuckie,Texas Chainsaw.(they are considered comedy)They played grand theft auto.Two are in college.The eldest works fulltime and is a fully functional healthy young man with one girlfriend.I am not a grandmother I have never had to bail a child out of jail.Only one time have I recieved a call of come get me mom Ive been drinking.(a prom night)My children are well liked and respected by adults and peers alike.On the other hand I have a sister who's kids were protected from everything (LIFE) they are lost.So you folks can miss me me with all the judgement.

Thought, I don't believe for a second that game was the reason she saved her family, the point is, she did. Even as I am typing this, I must say. I find it hilarious in a very...sick way.... that we "americans", you know..the ones suppossed to stand together, pick something like this, of all things, just to fight over. We can talk about games, clothes, music etc.. being the cause of problems today. But, my friends, think again. Of all the positive things to be doing, we are all going in search of a fight.

Honestly, people. Don't you have anything better to do than criticize someone's parenting over a video game? How their family works and is run is really no one's business but theirs. I believe the point of this article was to praise a child for remembering something important and using it to save her family. Who cares where she learned it?

GTA Is a terrible game for adults exspecially an 11 year old.. I am sure something she saw on t.v. saved her family. I woud not give that game so much credit.. Good job little girl good job....But throw the game away.... God bless you and your family....
Teresa

I'm an old geezer. We didn't have video games when I was a kid so we played Army. We shot the hell out of each other, threw bombs etc. Sure, it wasn't as realistic as todays games but our mindset was the same, and todays kids DO know that they are playing a GAME!

I have to agree with Robin. I have 2 boys ages 16 (almost 17) and 11 and the game of the moment is World of Warcraft. Sometimes they play stuff that is more violent but they know it's just for play. My kids are not violent and my older son is not out getting drunk every weekend. They don't like to hear about "real life" violence - it's scary for them.

Whether it was the game or not, whether playing the game enabled her to put herself into character and go through the motions, she did a great job!