You Should Not Let Your Kids Play These Games

Kids can stumble into games that are built for adults or that bring risks you may not expect. Violent content, graphic themes, loot boxes, and open voice chat can expose younger players to things far beyond their age. Many of these titles carry mature ratings for good reasons that go beyond story and visuals. The picks below highlight why each game is a poor fit for children and what specific pitfalls parents should know about before anyone presses start.

Grand Theft Auto V

This game is rated M for intense violence, crime, and explicit themes throughout both story mode and the online component. The open world includes adult venues, strong language, and drug references that appear frequently. Grand Theft Auto Online adds unmoderated voice chat and user missions that can escalate the content. Real money purchases can pressure players to spend more to keep up with others.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rated M, this title features realistic gunplay, blood, and disturbing story moments involving torture and cruelty. Hunting and skinning animals are core mechanics that are shown in detail. Online play adds voice chat with strangers and competitive modes that can get heated. The long narrative also explores mature topics like abuse and substance use.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II

This shooter is rated M for graphic violence, realistic weapons, and strong language. Multiplayer includes fast matches with constant voice chat that is not always well moderated. Seasonal battle passes and cosmetic bundles push recurring spending. The game’s tone and scenarios include terrorism and morally complex missions that are intended for adults.

Call of Duty Warzone

Warzone is a large scale online shooter with realistic weapons and intense firefights and it is rated M. Open voice chat and proximity chat can expose kids to harassment and slurs. The game uses frequent events and limited time bundles to encourage ongoing purchases. Cross play places players of all ages together which raises moderation challenges.

Mortal Kombat 1

This fighting game is rated M for extreme graphic violence and detailed finishing moves. The camera focuses on gore during special attacks which are a core part of play. Online modes match players globally and include chat features. Some unlocks and seasonal passes promote repeated spending.

Manhunt

This game is rated M for strong and sustained violence with executions that are presented in explicit detail. The tone centers on stalking and killing which can be disturbing for younger audiences. The missions reward brutal methods rather than nonviolent approaches. It is widely cited as adult only content by many regional ratings bodies.

Postal 2

Postal 2 carries an M rating for crude humor, violence, and offensive material that appears across missions and side activities. Players can harm civilians and animals and the game treats shocking behavior as a joke. The language and content are intentionally provocative. This is not appropriate for children under any circumstance.

DOOM Eternal

This shooter is rated M for intense demon slaying action with heavy gore. The pace is relentless and the battles are visually graphic from start to finish. Online components add competitive pressure and chat exposure. The theme centers on hell imagery and may be unsettling for younger players.

Resident Evil Village

Rated M, this horror game features frightening enemies, blood, and disturbing scenes. The atmosphere is built to create fear with sudden attacks and graphic encounters. Puzzle solving often occurs around violent set pieces. Extra modes and downloadable content maintain the same adult tone.

The Last of Us Part II

This game is rated M for realistic violence, strong language, and heavy emotional themes. The story includes trauma, torture, and moral conflicts that are difficult even for some adults. Combat scenes show injuries and deaths in detail. The narrative is powerful but clearly designed for mature audiences.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is rated M for nudity, sexual content, strong language, and violence. The city includes adult clubs and advertisements that children should not see. Player choices can lead to graphic scenes and drug references. The game also offers cosmetic purchases that can tempt extra spending.

Outlast

Outlast is a first person horror game rated M that leans into shock scares and disturbing imagery. There is no combat which heightens the fear as players hide and run from threats. The asylum setting includes graphic content and intense audio design. Younger players may find the constant dread overwhelming.

Phasmophobia

This ghost hunting game focuses on fear and is rated for teens in some regions but functions like adult horror. Voice recognition draws player speech into the gameplay which can expose kids to strangers in public lobbies. Sessions encourage late night play and jump scares. User made lobbies are not always well moderated.

Dead by Daylight

Rated M, this asymmetrical multiplayer game revolves around one killer hunting survivors. Matches include blood effects, hooks, and violent themes. Open voice chat and text chat are common in group play. Frequent cosmetic releases and passes encourage ongoing purchases.

Rust

Rust is an online survival game known for harsh player interactions and it is rated M. Global chat and proximity voice can expose kids to harassment and explicit language. Players can be looted and attacked at any time which creates stressful situations. Some servers allow adult imagery on signs and skins.

Grand Theft Auto Online

This multiplayer mode extends the adult themes of Grand Theft Auto V into a live service world. Public lobbies include unfiltered voice chat and griefing behavior. The economy pushes players toward frequent purchases to access vehicles and missions quickly. Community created jobs vary widely in content and are not curated for children.

Saints Row

The series is rated M for over the top violence, sexual content, and crude humor. Customization can include explicit jokes and adult situations. Open world missions often reward destructive play. Younger players will encounter strong language throughout.

Hotline Miami

This pixel art game may look simple but it is rated M for high intensity violence and graphic scenes. Levels encourage fast killing sprees with blood that covers rooms. Story interludes include drug use and disturbing characters. The soundtrack and pace can be overwhelming for kids.

Fortnite

Fortnite is rated T but it includes open voice chat, friend invites, and public squads that can expose kids to strangers. The in game store updates daily with cosmetics and passes that push constant spending. Competitive events keep pressure on screen time. Parental controls exist but require careful setup to limit chat and purchases.

Roblox

Roblox hosts user generated games with wide quality and content ranges and it includes chat and private servers. While there are safety filters, inappropriate experiences and scams can still appear in searches. The platform uses a virtual currency that encourages frequent purchases. Parents need to lock down settings because new friends and groups can bypass household rules if left open.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

This game is rated M for frequent violence, blood, and mature themes tied to raids and executions. The open world includes alcohol use and ritual scenes that are not suitable for children. Side activities and optional content can reference adult topics. Online services add cosmetic purchases and community features that require careful parental settings.

Far Cry 6

Rated M, this shooter centers on guerrilla warfare with graphic combat and civilian distress. Missions often involve improvised weapons and explosive set pieces. Strong language and drug references appear in dialogue and collectibles. Microtransactions and seasonal events push ongoing spending.

Rainbow Six Siege

This title is rated M for realistic tactical combat and intense confrontations. Open voice chat and team text chat can expose kids to harassment during competitive matches. Seasonal passes and cosmetics add constant monetization pressure. Strategy demands quick reactions that encourage long play sessions.

Apex Legends

Rated T, this battle royale features fast paced gunfights and frequent voice chat with random teammates. Proximity to public squads can lead to exposure to trash talk and inappropriate language. The rotating store and battle pass promote recurring purchases. Cross play lobbies mix players of all ages with limited moderation.

PUBG Battlegrounds

This game focuses on realistic weapons and last player standing matches and it is rated T on most platforms. Voice chat in public teams is common and not always filtered. Cosmetic crates and limited time bundles encourage spending. The tension and sudden eliminations can be stressful for younger players.

Valorant

Rated T, this competitive shooter emphasizes precise headshots and round based objectives. Open chat and team comms can include slurs and pressure to perform. The game uses a rotating cosmetic shop and a battle pass that renews regularly. Ranked play can create strong social pressure and screen time spikes.

Counter Strike 2

This is a realistic shooter intended for mature audiences with frequent firearm combat and high pressure competition. Community voice and text chat can be hostile in public servers. Third party trading of cosmetic skins may expose kids to scams. Matches reward quick reflexes and can run late due to overtime.

Overwatch 2

Rated T, this hero shooter uses constant team voice chat and quick matchmaking that pairs strangers. The in game shop and battle pass rotate often and push cosmetic purchases. Events arrive on a tight schedule that encourages daily play. Competitive modes increase stress and can provoke toxic behavior.

League of Legends

This online game is rated T but its text and voice chat are frequently reported for harassment. Matches can last a long time which raises screen time concerns. Loot style cosmetics and event passes encourage spending. Player made lobbies and friend invites can bypass household limits if settings are not locked down.

Dota 2

Rated T, this strategy arena game has a steep learning curve and intense community pressure. All chat and team chat can expose kids to toxic language. Cosmetic chests and rotating bundles encourage microtransactions. Matches often run long and may encourage late night sessions.

Elden Ring

Rated M, this action RPG features graphic combat against disturbing creatures. The world includes bleak themes and frightening boss designs that can unsettle younger players. Online notes and invasions connect strangers inside a single player experience. Difficulty spikes can encourage excessive play time.

Dark Souls III

This title is rated M for strong fantasy violence and horror elements. Enemy designs and environmental storytelling include disturbing imagery. Online invasions and messages enable interactions with unknown players. The demanding difficulty can lead to frustration and extended sessions.

Bloodborne

Rated M, this game leans into gothic horror with intense combat and unsettling bosses. Atmosphere and lore include themes of illness and transformation. Online features allow co op and invasions with strangers. Visuals emphasize blood effects that are not suitable for children.

Diablo IV

This ARPG is rated M for violence, blood, and dark occult themes. Online only play means kids are always connected to strangers in towns and chat. Seasonal passes and rotating shops promote recurring purchases. Some quests and dungeons include disturbing imagery and audio.

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt

Rated M, this open world RPG includes nudity, sexual content, strong language, and graphic violence. Side quests frequently explore adult topics like abuse and war crimes. Gambling style mini games and a large economy can drive extra play time. The world also includes alcohol use and drug references.

Dead Space

Rated M, this horror shooter features dismemberment mechanics and heavy gore as core systems. Audio logs and scenes include disturbing content and strong language. The claustrophobic setting is designed to scare and shock. Younger players may find the sustained tension overwhelming.

Until Dawn

This narrative horror game is rated M for intense violence, blood, and sexual themes. Scenes are built around jump scares and graphic outcomes based on player choices. Characters use strong language and alcohol. The story encourages replaying to see outcomes which increases time spent.

Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach

Rated T, this stealth horror game relies on jump scares and loud audio that can be distressing. The setting puts kids against animatronics in dark spaces for extended periods. Some community content around the game includes unsettling theories and fan creations. Late night sessions are common due to its suspenseful pacing.

DayZ

Rated M, this survival game places players in large servers with proximity voice and global text chat. Encounters can involve robbery, ambushes, and harassment. Player made signs and bases may include inappropriate imagery. The permadeath style loop encourages long sessions to rebuild progress.

Escape from Tarkov

This hardcore shooter targets adults with realistic gunplay, graphic injury audio, and high stress raids. Global chat and third party trading can expose kids to scams and unmoderated conversations. Progression encourages grinding and late night play to avoid crowded hours. The game’s intensity and complex economy are not appropriate for children without strict supervision.

Share which games worry you most and what you want help locking down in the comments.