How to get Teens off Gaming

trixie73

My son,now 23, was just the same at that age. I was forever on at him to get off the games and go out with mates. He would for a short while then it was back on the games. In the end I just left him to it,as I realised THIS was his hobby. He just about managed to scrape the 5 GCSEs at grade c which he needed to get on the college course that he'd picked, which was digital design. It was here where he really excelled. He loved it. He then went on to uni doing the same and got himself a degree. He now has a job in design with a very good salary. He says its the 'gaming' that made him want to do it.

heartbreak_star

trixie73 wrote: »

He says its the 'gaming' that made him want to do it.

I probably wouldn't have gone into STEM if it wasn't for gaming.

HBS x

Lbuk

I used to have a gaming addiction back in the day before such a thing existed and it ruined my education.

Sort out the wifi and get someone else to choose the password.

4-8pm Mon to Fri is more than enough. Then Saturday 10-10pm and Sunday no wifi.

I get that you are impacted when he has a tantrum but if you give in to him you are giving up on him. He needs you to be strong and once he realises it's not going to change anything then his behaviour should improve. Do not undermine yourself.

Dird

heartbreak_star wrote: »

I probably wouldn't have gone into STEM if it wasn't for gaming

and you've regretted it ever since, amirite

AshleyBurf

I did see one parent (on youtube) walk into his son's room and smash the TV and computer with a sledge hammer.

Scarred for life I think.

Best thing to do would be offer a reward system or get them into sports. The most sports they play, the more they can game.

YORKSHIRELASS

I have a 15 year old who spends more time gaming than I would probably like but he does have other hobbies and interests. I think the key is whether you are concerned about him and you obviously are. It may just be a passing phase, I know a lot of 18/19 year olds who went through this and grew out of it when they were old enough to go to pubs and clubs - and this brings other worries of course.

As with all things with teenagers you have to decide whether you really want to battle over this and if you do then you need to think carefully how you will do it. Dont underestimate how important gaming will be to him and how big a part of his life it is. Trying to get him to cut down a little is probably your best option.

If it reassures you at all my big brother got a Sega Megadrive when he was about 17. He didnt leave his room on weekends or evenings for months and it drove my parents mad. He is now happy and successful with a family of his own and a good career in finance and wouldnt know one end of an xbox or playstation from the other.

heartbreak_star

Dird wrote: »

and you've regretted it ever since, amirite

Nope, I love it

HBS x