AIBU about what Ds wants to do with his birthday money?

[Goneback2school]

Ds has just turned 14, he has a laptop and a phone (smashed screen), he had a Nintendo Switch which has already had to be repaired but is broken again and probably not worth fixing- he was rough with it while playing. He also has a DS of his own. He also has access to a PC, PS4 and WiiU which are all in the house so we are by no means anti technology. However he wants to get a VR headset with his own money and I am reluctant to allow it. He says I am destroying his dream!! But he is already prone to headaches and I am concerned about him being so closed off to the rest of us while he has this thing on his head. So does anyone have any positive or negative experiences of these things? Or AIBU?

We bought one and it was fun for a while then it was just sitting in the corner not being used. If I use it when I'm tired it makes me feel a bit ill as some games are quite jumpy with the view. I enjoyed the rollercoaster type ones, I was surprised my body reacted as though as though I really was high up (which I enjoy) I love roller coasters. This isn't as good as a real one obviously but much easier to get on. I would buy it if you have money but it doesn't get used a lot here. Nice to have but not high on the list.

VR doesn't suit everyone. I'd always advise a test first for around 10 minutes.

But tbh it doesnt sounds as if he cares for his stuff. If he can't care for a switch then there's no way I'd allow a vr headset.

For a heart stopping moment I thought you meant he has a son of his own

It’s hard when he’s 14 - that’s old enough for him to decide really. But you could compromise and say he can have it but has to limit use to something reasonable.

We got the VR for PS4 when it came out and it's used a lot still. I have 3 DC though and I also use it so it has been worth the money. It's also brilliant when we have parties.
There are quite a few games I'm looking forward to getting that are being released next year so for me yeah I love it.

For a heart stopping moment I thought you meant he has a son of his own

Me too I was about to furiously type that since your 14 year old has a kid whether or not he's broken his switch should be the least of his troubles!

I wouldn't necessarily stop him buying one with his own money but I might limit the time he spends on it OP (chances are he'll break it or get bored of it). Out of interest how can he afford so much tech?

Do you think he'd take better care of his things if he wasn't always able to just buy the latest gadget when he breaks the old one?

So he breaks things and then just gets more? He might learn a bit of self control if he didn’t get things so easily. He obviously doesn’t have enough self control and you feed the habit. Who gave him the money? Next time get strings attached and open a savings account!

It's his money he should spend it how he wants. Old enough to realise that if he gets a headache he needs to stop.