Electronic and video game rules

[Anonymous]

I have a 15 year old and 13 year old and they love their electronics and gaming. Please be gentle. I recognize the issue and I’m hoping I can really reign them in. How do I limit the electronics when it’s everywhere. I am curious to know some of your rules for electronics use and gaming. Such as phone and Xbox or even laptop use.

[Anonymous]

Well, we started out with rules like no gaming during the school week when he was 6th and 7th grade. 8th grade now and no rules except that if he doesn’t get As, the computer is gone except for school work until he brings it back up. DS is easily capable of As, but if I had a different kid where grades were harder and they were trying, I would set the bar differently, like Bs, etc. It’s his incentive to get everything done quickly and correctly. It’s been a great motivator this year. He even plans ahead and does extra homework on certain days (even a week ahead of schedule) so he has free time to game when something new is coming out in one of his games. He also does a travel sport so that keeps him active and cuts down on some of the gaming. Works for us - no arguing or fighting over limits- but may not work for everyone.

[Anonymous]

PP here - forgot to add that DS no longer does Xbox or PlayStation. He has a serious computer gaming set up that he paid 1/2 for with his own money. He doesn’t watch TV, but has an iPad and iPhone. Rarely uses the phone except a very little texting. Watches you tube on iPad instead of TV.

[Anonymous]

OP here. They get straight As and I was thinking to let them do what they have been doing. But I can see that the addiction to electronics is high. It just feels like a battle I’m not going to win.

[Anonymous]

Could you talk it out as a family to decide rules or guidelines? Chances are, they’ve noticed addictive phone behavior in mom or dad. They’re old enough to see how that affects family life and other activities. Can you prioritize those things first? Like before you can do gaming, play outside, do a chore, and spend 15 minutes hanging out with a family member. Or whatever it is they value (or maybe If they have a goal like running a 5k or solving a rubies cube or something they can use this to set aside practice time). Then you can play electronics. That way it isn’t an edict about limiting the games, but a tool for them to learn to prioritize their time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you talk it out as a family to decide rules or guidelines? Chances are, they’ve noticed addictive phone behavior in mom or dad. They’re old enough to see how that affects family life and other activities. Can you prioritize those things first? Like before you can do gaming, play outside, do a chore, and spend 15 minutes hanging out with a family member. Or whatever it is they value (or maybe If they have a goal like running a 5k or solving a rubies cube or something they can use this to set aside practice time). Then you can play electronics. That way it isn’t an edict about limiting the games, but a tool for them to learn to prioritize their time.

(I wasn’t blaming phone behavior on you. Just pointing out that most adults experience the screen addiction thing from time to time, not you specifically!)