My DS is eight, nearly nine. He has limits to his screen time. It's set as a maximum of 1.5 hours but he rarely uses all of this in the week due to other after school commitments and I will extend it if he's really into a game or has had a particularly busy day and deserves some down time. Basically, what I am aiming for is to not restrict it so much that it becomes coveted but also to have limits and ultimately teach him self regulation.
Well that's the theory... but in practise, he is driving me mad as all he ever seems to want to do is be on a screen. I wouldn't mind so much if it was TV but it's usually YouTube videos of people playing Minecraft (why?!) or playing games himself. I'm fairly strict about age ratings but try to be reasonable if the game is actually ok. He isn't allowed Fortnite or Roblox for example but there was a Pokémon game with an age rating of 12 which I said was fine.
I will enforce the limits but he just can't seem to think of anything to do if it's not on a screen. He is really active and takes parts in sports or activities six days a week but his lack of imagination to play worries me. He will happily play outside if he goes to a friend's house but not at home. I've offered to buy different toys but he can't think of anything other than Lego and we have loads of that.
DS' school broke up on Wednesday so I've arranged a few play dates here but he won't play with the multitude of toys we have, they are just straight on a game even if his friend doesn't seem as keen as him.
Is this just what it's like? I have an older DD (14) who could watch TikTok for hours but when her time limit kicks in she just does something else. Should we go and live in the woods for a week with no technology? Should I chill out? Help!