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10 year old picked on for not playing computer games

178 replies

Duckduckgoose78 · 25/06/2024 19:02

My DS in Yr5 came home from school today upset, saying he's being picked on by two boys in his class because he doesn't play computer games like Roblox or Fortnite. He's also feeling left out of the gaming chat in the classroom and in the playground because he can't join in with them.

It's a conscious decision on our part to not let him play games, we don't have a console (apart from the Wii) and he has a busy life with lots of activities after school and at the weekend so there's no time anyway! He would likely not be able to self regulate, and although he is much better now, he did used to get very upset when he lost at mario kart on the Wii.

How do we help him deal with the social exclusion he's feeling at school? He's only been at this school since half way through Yr4, 18 months or so. He's found it hard to integrate into the class, but has a small core group of friends with things in common now, and had a good time on school residential last week with them. We really don't want to introduce games, but are wondering whether we're putting him at a disadvantage by not having them at home. Are we being unreasonable by not letting him game? Help!

OP posts:
LadyFeatheringt0n · 25/06/2024 19:07

Id allow some games but i wouldn't allow fortnite its just addictive and has a terrible impact on behaviour.

cheddercherry · 25/06/2024 19:06

To be honest I don’t see what harm letting him play even just once a week would do, just so he could still integrate with his friends. Just because kids game doesn’t mean they have to be glued to it every night after school/ hours on end. There’s lots of positives to gaming too with the appropriate adult supervision alongside it. I think it’s an issue when it’s unregulated but it sounds like as you say he’s got lots of other hobbies and activities alongside it.

ThingsWillOnlyGetBetter · 25/06/2024 19:06

He’s clearly being disadvantaged and both of the games you mention are pretty benign.

Allow it but regulate it.