My 6 year old seems addicted to ipad and also to minecraft

[newnametoday1]

This is a cry for help. My bright 6 year old is absolutely addicted to his iPad - first it started with the odd tv program that we downloaded for him, then to him searching for shows he liked on you tube and now it is minecraft - both playing and watching the videos or others playing minecraft that have been loaded up onto you tube.

If we let him he would sit on it all day (of course we don't as he goes to school). It is the first thing he wants when he wakes up in the morning and when he comes home from school. If he does not get it he kicks off often throwing things round the room if we refuse to give him it (cushions etc). This normally results in him being sent to his bedroom.

We know we need to solve this now. He seems to have a proper addiction to the iPad. We have tried to limit hos time on the ipad for say half an hour in the morning and say an hour or two in the evening but he instigates stalling tactics and often will not hand the ipad back. We do not think that going "cold turkey" is the way to go but we are at a lost about the best way to proceed.

I've looked to see if I can find any relevant threads on this but I can't. I was wondering if there are any information resources that could help us with this. Thanks very much

[fuzzpig]

I think you will need cold turkey TBH, or very close to it. For comparison, my nearly 7yo is allowed 30 mins a day.

You need absolute consistency in the rules. The biggest one for us is that ANY whinging when it's time to come off = no iPad time the next day.

She is also not allowed it (or any screen time at all) before school.

[Ragwort]

Why aren't you prepared to go 'cold turkey'? Agree with Fuzzpig - you need to be very, very strict and hide it with only 30 mins allowed each day. Or tell him it is broken and you have to send it back.

I have a 13 year old and no way is allowed more than an hour a day on his playstation or the family computer, no chance he would have an ipad.

Definately no screen time allowed before school.

this is why an ipad isn't really a good idea for a 6 year old.

[Wolfiefan]

Will not hand it back?
You are the parent.
Don't hand it back = fewer minutes tomorrow.

Or take it away for a week.
Def no screens before school.

[fuzzpig]

DD's iPad isn't hers BTW :o it's an ancient old family one, both DCs have 30mins a day each but often don't have it.

2hrs is way too much, but you know that - is he getting time to play with toys or play outside?

[EmmaGellerGreen]

Ds is also 6 and was getting far too fond of the iPad being his default activity. So we said clearly "no iPad until weekend" after half term. And then about 30 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. He didn't like it but already rarely asks for it. Cold turkey is the way forward.

[newnametoday1]

He has never been interested in playing with toys per se. We did have board game interest but that stopped when ipads came out. My children have had then for about 18 months now.

[jillyrg]

My 7year old ds gets 30 mins a day and only after school. He is obsessed too and it's the first thing he asks for on wakening but if moans or groans about the rules it's simple he doesn't get it at all!
Get outside with him, my ds's much rather go out on their bikes with me or play hide and seek and if I suggest it on way home from school he forgets about playing on ipad by time we get home.

[Toastmonster]

I know it well, stampy is additive! My DS loves those YouTube videos, I let him watch one a few times a day but he always wants more. You are not alone and loads of us feel that the iPad has taken over. I guess they see us on our phones and feel it's the norm. I've started hiding the iPad or running the battery down so it's just not available as much. Sorry I can't be of more help

[newnametoday1]

Thanks for all this advice. I am currently being flamed on identical thread I put on parenting board so will call it a day for now. Not sure will ask for ideas/help quite so readily next time. Thanks to you all for your great suggestions on here.

[fuzzpig]

Don't be scared away, I've seen myself how easily children can get hooked on these things - that's why we set such tight limits. You CAN beat it. :)

[newnametoday1]

Thanks Fuzzpig. Preparing now for cold turkey tomorrow.

[HiAndBye]

NewNameToday. Don't worry about the flamings, take the good advice and ignore the nasty sanctimonious posters we know who I mean then hide the threads. Problem solved! This us an anonymous forum. You don't have to take anything personally.

Be stong, Good luck.

(lol, flamings got autocorrected to flamingos. I really hope you don't worry about flamingos)

[fuzzpig]

Great, just make sure you and his dad are completely on the same page with the rules, consistency is absolutely vital for this kind of thing! Good luck! :)

[newnametoday1]

Thanks all.

[mawbroon]

We have just gone through similar with ds1 and the x box.

He was obsessed with the bloody thing. More than just playing the games, it was actually taking over his waking hours. It got to the point that every single thing that he talked about related to the game he was playing, even to the point where he put ketchup on his plate one day and said it was the same shape as the race track he had just completed.

He has a totally obsessive personality and I am trying to manage it by teaching him that if he can't moderate, then he should chose the least bad option IYSWIM. I made the decision in this case by putting the damned thing away. It was hell for a few days, but now, he is grudgingly admitting that he feels better without it.

It's not away for ever. For example, his cousin is sleeping over next weekend and we will set it up for them to play when they get up at stupid o clock. But then it's going away again!

[Cheryllou]

I feel that way about Game of Thrones... :-)

[Nomadwife]

you are the parent. He is the child. throwing things or stalling is simply not an option. Set limits and stick to them. He is old enough to understand boundaries. Mine are not allowed the ipad until homework and reading and chores are done. No need for an argument with him, that is just the way it is from now on.

[HexBramble]

Not flaming you OP - I think the whole iTechnology thing is easily done.
But your DS has had an iPad for 18 months? That's at a pretty critical stage of his development and he's maybe not 'trained' to amuse himself with other toys. I know you say he doesn't really 'do' toys, but he's not really had to, has he? Maybe your DS doesn't actually know how to approach simpler,more traditional games, and this is actually a bit sad. You should withdraw completely and start introducing other features of play into his life, for his sake.

Just mho.

[rookiemater]

You can put time limits on the X box beats actual parenting, but sadly not on the I-pad although we did try.

But yes minecraft is addictive, so needs to be restricted. However as games go it's not a bad one, they are building things and DS likes to play it together with his friends.

[threepiecesuite]

Hard to believe a 4.5yo was given an ipad. DD is that age and is very much still playing with dolls, teddies and little figures. She has a Leappad but doesn't ask for it much.