Is Destiny 2 Okay for 12 Year Olds?
Yes, I believe Destiny 2 can be an appropriate game for many 12 year olds when played responsibly and balanced with other activities, but parents and guardians should thoughtfully consider several factors first.
Game Rating Overview
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates Destiny 2 Teen (T) for a more mature 13+ audience based on fantasy violence, mild blood, and infrequent language as summarized below:
| Violence | Frequent battle with fictional aliens using sci-fi weapons/abilities . Not graphic. |
| Blood/Gore | Minor colored splashes during combat. No graphic content. |
| Language | Infrequent mild terms like "damn"; nothing excessive. |
So Destiny 2 is quite tame compared to many other shooter games. But parental caution is still advised as I analyze in depth below.
Multiplayer Communication Considerations
Destiny 2 has online multiplayer environments with unmoderated voice/text chat communication between random players. This poses risks of potential exposure to inappropriate language or behavior that parents may deem unsuitable for a 12 year old not emotionally equipped to handle strangers over the internet.
- I strongly advise setting up parental controls through the console system or 3rd party apps to limit/monitor social functionality. Most communication is non-essential.
- Establish pre-approved friend/clan rosters for team cooperative play. Get to know teammates and oversight is easier.
Recommended Gameplay Time Limits
As with any activity, compulsive gameplay has risks developing unhealthy habits. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no more than 1 hour daily of entertainment screen time for teens ages 12-18. Some general expert gaming guidelines:
- Weekdays/School Days: 30-60 minutes
- Weekends/Breaks: 1-3 hours max per day
- Regular gaming breaks help prevent burnout.
Set reasonable limits based on your child’s needs and capacities. Gaming should not dominate life.
Age Appropriate Content Considerations
Importantly, Destiny 2 was specifically designed from the ground up to provide an action-packed shared world shooter experience appropriate for "everyone 10+". Compared to other similar franchises, it purposefully avoids graphic violence/horror imagery and instead focuses heavily on teamwork, exploration and customization.
To provide context around the multiplayer community:
| Average Reported Age | 25 years old |
| Minimum Reported Age | 8 years old |
So many pre-teens clearly demonstrate the capacity to play skillfully and the fanbase skews older. But emotional maturity varies by individual.
Guidance Still Recommended
- Destiny 2 has complex narratives dealing with war morality, mortality, sacrifice, defending humanity etc. that require emotional perspective. Maintain open conversations.
- Cooperative play incentivizes good sportsmanship. Positively reinforcing developmental relationship skills is encouraged.
- The game allows creative avenues of customization which can be great outlets for kids.
In summary, engaged and informed parenting makes all the difference here. Carefully evaluate your child‘s individual level of maturity and mental/emotional ability to handle intensity levels appropriately while still balancing real-world responsibilities. Maintain awareness of play habits and communications to guide development forward positively. With purposeful mindfulness and reasonable oversight, Destiny 2 truly can be a very enriching gaming experience for many children age 12+.
