The age of kids doing things such as watching R-rated movies have been getting younger, even in the games department. This study shows that kids 3-4 years away from their actual right to purchase and play M-rated games, are getting a hold of them.

Forbidden fruit.

It’s almost common sense: if you can’t have it, you suddenly want it.

So it should be no surprise that a recent survey in the July issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health found that many boys and girls aged 12-14 played games rated M, intended for those 17 & older.

The always controversial Grand Theft Auto series made it into the top three games for both boys and girls, with Halo being popular only with boys. The survey didn’t address how the kids got hold of M-rated games in the first place.

Ars Technica looks at the survey, which examined over 1,200 students in Pennsylvania and South Carolina in 2004. Data was collected by the Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Michigan State University, and looked into the spread of violent video games among America’s youth.

As well as mature-themed games, the survey also asked whether kids liked games “with guns and weapons,” (a resounding “yes” for boys), and whether they played electronic games because there was “nothing else to do,” (”yes” for 60% of both boys and girls).

CM: The resounding “because I’m bored” answer to “why” should be an indicator to parents worried about their kids whom they think game too much (hint: give them another activity).

Storm via gamepolitics.com »