To buy a Nintendo Switch or not?

[SpinningTops]

I’m debating whether to buy a family switch. My children are 8&6.

They don’t have much screen time at all but life is hard - they’re a bit feral, chaotic and messy (imagine slightly wild, Enid blyton type outdoorsy children)

We would have very strict limit controls on it but might allow it for long journeys (assuming they could get along playing together).

But I worry they will obsess about it and knowing it’s there might make them think about it all the time (they can struggle with obsessions)

I feel I’m mad for considering it since they very rarely mention it, but perhaps it could be good for family game night … any opinions?

God, I don't know.

The Switch is great, and there's a new one now as well. But I do think the the first console is the start of a slippery slope.

We waited for quite a long time as well, but now it's more about the SteamDeck, and worrying about parental controls / trying to get DS off for dinner etc.

I'd wait for as long as possible I think.

Family game night is quite good fun though 😄🙈.

If they are the kind of kids who are not already obsessing over gaming I don't think it will be a problem. My DD was about 9 when we bought her one because she was very into dancing so liked the dance party games. Now it only really gets played on if her friends or younger family members visit.

Switch is fab and very family orientated there’s lots of teams games such as Mario kart, Mario superstars , cooking, sports , dance games. The switch is quite reasonably priced especially with switch 2 coming out.

Thanks all. Food for thought.

Honestly, if I could go back in time, I'd push it back a couple of years, and be militant about timekeeping.

We have no issues with obsession over the switch here. It’s not the kind of console that children find difficult to put down and it’s very easy to come back to while keeping whatever game play you were on active.

I'd hold off for as long as possible, mine had games consoles from an early age, and I wish I'd held off as they were completely obsessed with gaming, it's very addictive.

Agreed!

I disagree with most the posts here.

We have had a Switch and a PS (teens in the house) and my young DS occasionally plays a bit of Mario Kart but nobody is obsessed. He may go on it once a month? But we will use it other times for a family night, or take it away when we stay in a holiday cottage etc.

Not all kids completely lose their mind over gaming - and it's not the evil people make it out to be.

Put in boundaries - it's up to you as a parent to choose when it can be used or not! If you don't want your child on it all day, don't let them!

The point is that they're designed to demand attention / be addictive though.

And just because some children can regulate that a bit more effectively, it doesn't mean that all children can.

If they’re not clamouring for it and you already have concerns, why would you?

I can’t quite put it into words why. They are very intense kids which can be a lot to parent, very sensory seeking and feel on the go constantly. By 4 or 5pm on a weekend I’m pretty much overstimulated and done.
Then I might put a film on but thought maybe it would be better for them to play a collaborative game, more mentally stimulating perhaps. And we could join in too.

DH and I might also enjoy playing something occasionally once the kids are in bed rather than watch TV.

I’m just aware that currently everything is OK. This could make it better but equally could make it worse …

Ah, that’s tricky. I understand the dilemma. My DD is very similar, and overall, I wish screens hadn’t become a thing in our house.

In the same way, just because some children can't regulate, it doesn't mean that others can't. Not everyone has addictive tendencies.

@Hoplolly, I don't know - I find the idea that these things are designed to be addictive a bit scary.

And folk high up in tech often won't let their kids near it, so 🤷‍♀️