Nintendo Switch- rules?

[Buttmunchie]

DD will be 6 in October, and DS will be 9 three weeks later. We‘re toying with the idea of buying a Switch, as a joint gift. We can’t afford two.

We would give the joint gift in September, and they will each receive something individually (Lego etc) on their actual birthdays.

We‘re quite strict with screen time compared to friends (apparently). DC are allowed one hour per day, and only once their room has been tidied. Any bad behaviour or rudeness, and screen time is the first thing to go. DS used to get 1.5 hours but it was affecting his behaviour so we shortened it. DS plays Minecraft on the iPad, DD plays Toca Boca on an old phone.

We are planning on ordering a bundle with Mario Kart. Any other games probably won’t come until Christmas. So the idea is that they will play together. We‘re planning on sticking with the one hour rule, and being more flexible at the weekend and in school holidays.

Does this sound fair? How is it in your house?

Have they actually asked for one?
If you think you need to be that strict over how much they go on it then maybe they don't need one.
I don't mean that in a bitchy way - I just don't see the point in buying something they are barely allowed to use.

Yes they have been begging for one.

I don‘t think that one hour a day is barely using it. By the time they are home from school it’s 3.30pm, homework/snack/playing/tidy up it‘s 5pm. An hour on a device then dinner, playing and bedtime.

But do you think they'd obsess over it?

I have the same rules for my DC, it works well. I have the parental control app on my phone and can add/remove time, whitelist games, set age ratings and full controls over the shop etc. They get a five, two and one minute warning on the screen before it turns itself off.

You've got an app to control the switch? Please share the details!!

Search for the Nintendo parental controls app and link to the switch 👍🏼

It’s just the Nintendo switch parental controls app.
it’s great, you can set days individually, age restrictions and it will shut off automatically once time is up.

I dont think your being unreasonable especially for during the week, perhaps a bit of extra time on the weekends. DS has one and the parental control app on your phone allows you to have good control on the settings, age rating of games, befriending and time limits.

On Android it's in the Play store, called "Nintendo Switch Parental Controls", you can set screen time & bed time really easily and ither options too. It's pretty good - it's the official app from Nintendo.

My parents bought my two theirs when they were 6&7. I wish they hadn’t in all honesty as a PP has said they can tend to obsess over it.
I would say the key is parental controls, age appropriate games , and playing with them.
theres quite a good educational game called big brain that we all play together often.