Gaming and Digital overload! Would appreciate opinions!

[lydem]

I have one DS aged 16 and one 13, older of the two has never been hugely interested in gaming but will play occasionally, something I have no problem with BUT, my younger is a completely different story..

Despite the huge number of books, non digital games and sports kit we have in our house, ALL he wants to do is go online or on the XBOX and play games! I have limited his gaming time drastically and DH and I have really tried to encourage him to do more sports and extracurricular activities but sometimes I feel like I am speaking to a brick wall! His boredom thresh hold is so low and it's becoming increasingly difficult to keep his attention on things without him whining about video games/his phone/ going on the computer.

He still has his phone as I like to know I can contact him if I need to when he is at school or at a friends but apart from that I have limited his usage of digital entertainment to a few hours at the weekend and a little TV during the week. What's more is he has been pestering me for an IPAD for months, saying that he will just use it for school work (I don't think so somehow). I am feeling digital overload here!

Has anyone had/is having this problem? I don't understand what to do as older DS has never acted like this at all! Would really appreciate some input!

Welcome to my world! Well in the holidays at least - access to gaming is very limited for my DS at boarding school.

My advice is don't buy an iPad!

Sounds just like my 13ds.
Sometimes it drives me bonkers.
Also an iPad wouldn't be good for school work to be completed at home.
No word, not easy to print from.
Do you have a desktop/ laptop he can use for hw?

Yes we have a computer that he has access to. The only reason I am even considering it is because his school introduced them last year and they do use them in class. I personally don't think it's necessary?

It's not.
If you feel that he is spending too much time already on digital things then an iPad will just add to your woes.
My son gets 2 hours on a school night , he moans like a drain when 2 hours is up!

This might not be helpful - but is he interested in the making of games at all? If you are wanting him to develop hobbies away from playing games and he is resistant to your non-digital efforts maybe that would be something be would enjoy, but is also useful and productive.

That is a very good idea actually! Thank you, I will do my research, at least then he will be putting his skills to use!

DH is a games programmer and informs me there are loads of free programs online which you can use to learn to make games etc.

If it is something he is interested in its a fantastic skill to have (and a real growth industry if it's the kind of thing he might want to do when older - I know that's a long way off )

Thank you so much! I have never thought about it like that!

How about a Raspberry Pi instead for him to learn coding? I'm an engineer and we were taught computer coding at university as it teaches you to think in a very particular logical way that is useful for engineers to have, I think the thought processes you have to learn as useful for many, many other things - would give him a real skill.

Damn sight cheaper than an iPad as well!