DS1 (7) has limited time on the iPad in the week (30 mins whilst I cook dinner on Mon, Weds and Fri plus half an hour after lunch on weekends).His brother (6) has the same. I have had to do this as they were on at me about it all day. If the TV is on then they are glued to it. They do not play whilst it is on so I can't have it on in the background for long periods.
On the iPad they play Minecraft, Crossy Road, Subway Surfer and watch YouTube (football tricks usually).
Recently, the second DS1 has to turn the iPad off, he bursts into tears and cries 'I'm bored and have absolutely nothing to do Mummy!' They have toys, books, Lego, drawing material, bikes, a good sized garden with football net, trampoline and garden toys. DH and I both work from home so we play with them a fair bit and do football and lots of walks, the park etc. He is doing really well at school.
Are all kids like this when they come off their devices? He can't think of what to do on his own in the house. It's like the screen time is so good that nothing else comes close and it's done all the thinking for him! I provide suggestions sometimes and steer them towards a board game or something but not always. If they say I'm bored then they moan but eventually find something to do. It's the tantrums after the iPad I'm not happy with. Am considering a ban for a week or two to 're-set' his ability to create his own fun. Has anyone done this and seen an improvement in self-directed play?