In need a little help please - limiting time on minecraft

merlot123

My teenage son plays a little too much Minecraft and I would like to put a limit on it during the day. I do have a block on the internet from 11.00pm to 7am using talk talk homesafe programme.

How do I put a block on Minecraft?

Thanks in advance.

merlot123

neilwoods

Tell him he can't play it.

merlot123

neilwoods wrote: »

Tell him he can't play it.

Thanks for that!

Have you never done anything you have been told you can't do.

It's not a major problem at this moment, but I would like to know how i can prevent it from being one as a responsible parent.

Darksun

Take the computer off him when he's played enough?

There are technical ways to restrict programs being run, but they're all circumventable if your son is determined enough (minecraft could be played in a bootable linux environment so even locking down the OS wouldn't be that helpful). The best way is to physically stop him using the computer

Timalay

How does he play it, on a laptop? If so take the laptop away from him during those hours. Or disconnect the internet.

Also try turning of off the power at the electric meter (joke).

merlot123

Thank you for your replies.

He is allowed the laptop to do his studying although I suspect he may be playing Minecraft at the same time, I will not take his laptop off him, he needs it for his homework, I will however limit his time on Minecraft if I can find a way.

I will look to Google for further help.

merlot123

patman99

You can buy some pretty advanced routers these days. I'm sure it is possible to buy one that allows you to restrict access to individual websites at given times. That way it would be impossible for him to bypass.

Just for info., it has been recognized that some computer games can be as addictive as heroin and attempts to prevent the player accessing the game can lead to severe mood swings and outbursts of aggression.

DaveLy

Maybe your looking at this the wrong way.

I'm the product of someone that spent far too much time on a computer :P I setup my first ltd. company at 15 and earnt over £5k playing computer games.

It begs the question, if hes not playing minecraft, a clear passion of his, what else would he be doing? Certainly a more productive activity (and a learning/discovering one too) in my eyes than say, smoking cannabis or girlfriend trouble - both of which damage studying far more from personal experience.

Rather, let him play what he wants and do what he wants as long as its legal and as long as his chores and his responsibilites are prioritized. Isn't this exactly what life is all about anyway, and as a responsible parent you'll simply be teaching them the real world.

Alternatively, you could try and do the opposite, being restrictive and all that, but you'll get far less respect, your teenager wont listen and will likely just rebel.

hemophobic

I spent 3+ years addicted to Runescape & Counter Strike Source and except from taking his laptop away, he can most likely get around any restrictions you place. Trust me.

getmore4less

merlot123 wrote: »

Thanks for that!

Have you never done anything you have been told you can't do.

It's not a major problem at this moment, but I would like to know how i can prevent it from being one as a responsible parent.

how technical can you get?

timed web site and/or port blocking in the router will probably be the way to do it if your router supports it.

Darksun

Minecraft can be played offline though, so all these suggestions of blocking ports on the router aren't going to help much unless he only ever plays multiplayer.

If it's a concern then why not make him study in a family area where you can keep an eye on him?