Computer use for pre-teens...

[BC-MAV]

I am just curious about what others do. We have really put our foot down about using the compute to play games or doing Wii or Nintendo DS during the school week. Yep, older DS is 11 and finishing up 5th grade and gets all A's and often doesn't have to study much but we just don't feel like it's something he needs to be doing every day during the school week. Occasionally we give him 30 minutes 1 or 2 evening if he has done all his homework and doesn't have a big project due in the future. Fridays and Saturdays we let DS and his friends play and usually on Sundays we are doing stuff as a family.

Now my question is how long do you let your kids play on week-ends? I think 2 hours max is plenty and to do any more is ridiculous because you need to balance indoor and outdoor time. Even if it is raining I would not have the kids play computers for more than 2 hours. I send the kids outside to play ping pong in the covered car port or to ride scooters around in the small area or we have them play air hockey in the study.

It just got me thinking about computer use during the week-end because the other day DS went to a friend's house and they played computer games for most of the 4 hours and the computer heated up a lot and DS did not eat lunch over there even though it was a 10:30 am to 3 pm playdate... So do you have unlimited time with the computer for your kids on week-ends?

[peako]

I never really limited screen time

[peako]

I never really limited screen time

[Mrs.H]

We never allow more than 30 minutes for each child. However, sometimes they'll take their turn one right after the other and end up on the computer for an hour and 1/2.

[Adrienne]

It varies. Sometimes he has been on the xbox way too long so we had to reel things back and talk with him about a balance. I'm ok with longer than 2 hours on the weekend if it is broken up by outdoor activity, chores being done, reading a book and that sort of thing.

[RobinL]

I really don't pay much attention to the length of time, because it hasn't been a problem. They rarely play anything longer than 30 minutes and usually it's Just Dance and I'm happy to see them moving and dancing.

[BC-MAV]

I think when the computer heats up so much that's its too hot to touch, that should have told DS to say something to his friend. I'm curious what others do.

[peako]

If the computer got that hot they have a bigger problem.

My son is 17 and he does 90% of his social interaction on the computer. Recently he had friends over and they ended up on the computer with another group of friends, talking, playing games, watching the same weird stuff on youtube etc. A few weeks ago they all some how watched the same movie together in separate homes.

[Adrienne]

is it the computer overheating or the game system? Xbox has a history of overheating and the repair guy told us to limit playing to 2 hour blocks then let it cool down completely. Ds has been told that if it over heats again, i will not be repairing it (we bought a used one)

[BC-MAV]

I honestly don't remember whether it was the computer or some game system that heated up at his friend's house. Either way, DS told me he and he friend got some liquid nitrogen or air compresser (I know that sounds dangerous ) and they tried to cool it off. DH and I reminded DS that if something gets so hot to the touch, it's time to turn it OFF. Also DH told DS you don't want to put anything in a computer or a game system other than air in a can to get the dust off.

I think the other Mom has no problem with her DS playing on the computer or games for unlimited time so when DS goes over there that is something that DH and I compromise on because I can't control what he does at a friend's house.... and I think using the computer for an excessive amount of time isn't gonna mar DS for life-lol!

I think pre-teen vs a 17 year old is different. I realize he will be using the computer more for social networking. They use computers exclusively in 6th grade for all their school work too...