my 6 year old is addicted to Ipad and to Minecraft

[newnametoday1]

This is a cry for help. My bright 6 year old is absolutely addicted to his iPad - first it started with the odd tv program that we downloaded for him, then to him searching for shows he liked on you tube and now it is minecraft - both playing and watching the videos or others playing minecraft that have been loaded up onto you tube.

If we let him he would sit on it all day (of course we don't as he goes to school). It is the first thing he wants when he wakes up in the morning and when he comes home from school. If he does not get it he kicks off often throwing things round the room if we refuse to give him it (cushions etc). This normally results in him being sent to his bedroom.

We know we need to solve this now. He seems to have a proper addiction to the iPad. We have tried to limit hos time on the ipad for say half an hour in the morning and say an hour or two in the evening but he instigates stalling tactics and often will not hand the ipad back. We do not think that going "cold turkey" is the way to go but we are at a lost about the best way to proceed.

I've looked to see if I can find any relevant threads on this but I can't. I was wondering if there are any information resources that could help us with this. Thanks very much

[Ragwort]

I will try ANYTHING! Thank you!

Just take it away - I cannot understand why so many children have iPads, I would quite like one myself (I am nearly 60 ) but it seems a huge amount of money for a 'gadget'. Perhaps we are the only family in Britain who don't have an iPad but we seem to manage quite happily without one.

[Mummyjohnny32]

some folks are born

[TurquoiseDress]

ARGGGGH this is why I told my DH a unequivocal NO when we discussed an iPad for DC1 aged 4.

Then his parents went and bought one anyway for Christmas

DC1 has not even got it set up/played on it yet...they won't at all for a very long time if I get my way!

In the meantime, I am making notes from this thread to assist me with all drama that is bound to ensue in future

for me and reading with interest

[TurquoiseDress]

Maybe I need to do a furtive Kirstie Allsop with the iPad before things even get started??

[TurquoiseDress]

ZOMBIE thread alert- I always get sucked in!

But have learned some very good tips and advice for when DC1 eventually gets an iPad into their hands

[Cranb0rne]

I'd be furious if someone bought my kids an iPad. Neither me nor my husband have one anyway...