How much time on computer/wii is ok for a 7 year old?

[boinging]

I know this is very subjective, but i am interested in how others do it. Our ds gets a bit obsessive about computer games. He is allowed on computer/wii on wednesday evening, saturday and sunday (not all day, but usually few hours). Sometimes he gets to go on friday eve too. I do worry this is too much. He even acts out the games with his lego/ sisters/ friends when he is not allowed to play them. However, he generally behaves ok, and is doing well at school.

I wouldn't let a 7 year old on for more than 1/2hr at a time, maybe twice a week.

Though if he was getting obsessed with it and it was stunting his imagination, I would get rid of it altogether.

I know everyone is different and these things have to fit in around what else is going on but I don't think it's totally subjective, as these games do have a health warning at the front of every leaflet about not overdoing it. My DCs are of an age now (12 and 10 yrs) where they will understand that, I even asked my eldest to read it for himself so he knows I'm 'nagging' for a good reason!

So I generally limit it to half and hour to an hour at a time. They are allowed to use games/comps most days as long as this time limit is adhered to and I know they are doing other things like reading and playing. I also find it's best to let them know when they have 5 or 10 mins to go so they can wind up what they are doing.

As senses says, everyone is different and it's about whatever fits in with your family life. My DS is 8 (today!) and we've bought an Xbox in the last few weeks, so he's currently obsessed with it! He's not allowed any screen time at all before school as I believe that would affect his concentration levels. Once he's done his reading/homework after school, he can have up to an hour on it depending on how quickly he's done his work. Weekends, he can have an hour when he gets up, and sometimes another half an hour later in the day depending on what we're doing. This does replace any TV time he's allowed as well unless we're watching something together. He and his friends also act out the games when they're not on it boinging! I guess it's about balance; as long as he's still reading, playing outside, on his bike etc as well, it seems to be OK.

Agree as and when sometimes if get a new game and it raining and done h/wk music etc he is on it for hours with sisters drifting in and out to play two player but in school week never have time to his disappointment you ahve to be real sometimes and think how we live our lives and make sure they do other things and actually are socialable but playing wii/xbox etc will not damage them if part of a healthy lifestyle IMO

I believe everything in moderation. Sometimes the more you ban and limit things the more obsessed they get about it. I allow it more in the winter or when it's peeing down and we can't get out. In the summer I insist on walks/bike rides/park as the weather is too lovely to stay indoors playing on the Wii/computer.

A few hours! I think the fact you've posted means you know it's too much. We have half an hour, on Saturday and Sunday. Poptart's right in that banning things makes them more desirable, but frankly so what! Parents' job is to limit the things they believe to be unhealthy or wrong.

yes a few hours what is the diffference in watching a 2 hour movie or playing a game and why is playing a wii game unhealthy ?? we cycle at the week end he goes fishing we swim surf etc etc ... and I do not have to insist to do these things to him a no brainer but my kids just like to play a game sometimes ..

How about reading a book, playing with plasticine, painting, mucking about with dressing up clothes? In your initial post you said he has "a few hours" on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and sometimes Fridays as well. Sorry but that's way too much! One activity for that long per week is just too much of anything, and as you say, he's getting obsessed. It needs to be cut right down IMO. It's not the gaming that's unhealthy it's the quantity.

I would not let a 7 year old use computer games full stop - just me as I am a luddite about these things, we don't have any in our house at all.

Do people who impose the 1/2 hour limit do exactly the same with TV? I think imnotmymum has a point here.

I'm with imnotmymum - we encourage other activities but I don't over think the Xbox/Wii too much. DH and I are computer geeks ourselves so would be rather hypocritical given that we're on ours so much

I'd far rather they were playing a game and having to work out puzzles and try different strategies than sitting zombified in front of the TV and not engaging brain at all. They do lots of other stuff too including playing with friends outside for most of the day if the weather is nice.

Occasionally they'll over do it and ban screens for a day, but mostly not restricting it has made them fairly sensible about their use. My dses are 7 and 10.

Octaviapink my children I have 4 13yrs, 11, 10, 8 do play plasticine are avid readers and as I have already posted very active in sports teams abd riding and we are an active family but computer games are also a thing they enjoy I think we should all stop rolling on the media band wagon who says playing computer games will turn all our children into obese anti social people oh and btw how long do we all spend on mumsnet ... just a thought!!!

I wouldn't ban games - as I said I think in moderation they're fine (for the record, incidentally, we don't have tv at all - no licence for seven years now) but I do think the OP's DS is playing too many hours per week, simple as that.

just an interest you have a pc/laptop obviously do your kids play games on there please do not think I am having a go or anything as I am totally not but just a thought as my friend does not have tv games console etc but her kids play on pc and she says that different incidentally think it important to have consoles etc in family room not in bedrooms

No, they don't play PC games, but I agree that games and PCs should be in family rooms.