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Seriously,how much screen time is healthy for 14/15 y/o?

5 replies

Gahbag · 05/08/2024 18:33

The teenager in question has no social life IRL, doesn’t have ANY hobbies. Doesn’t go outside. honestly stays in their room on pc and vr headset from the minute they’ve had breakfast (at around noon) til bedtime (11/12).
very grumpy. Can’t be bothered having conversations with people and when they do, highly critical and negative. Head in phone when forced to leave house.
I know things have changed technologically since I was a teen, but it shocks me. I had a mobile, access to family pc, game console but had friends and enjoyed actually doing stuff in the real world. The teenager in question has no limits and is trusted to self regulate but fails to..doesn’t make their own food, so doesn’t eat unless someone actually calls them down for food, will occasionally make themselves a cuppa. Is this normal? Is it ok? Not my child so none of my business really but have young kids of my own and dreading their teen years if this is what lies ahead 🫣

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Reugny · 05/08/2024 18:36

If the teen is getting good enough to participate in esports and make money let them carry on.

On a more serious note the teen should get doing at least an hour of exercise per day. Though as it isn't your child I would leave it.

Gahbag · 05/08/2024 18:39

Reugny · 05/08/2024 18:36

If the teen is getting good enough to participate in esports and make money let them carry on.

On a more serious note the teen should get doing at least an hour of exercise per day. Though as it isn't your child I would leave it.

I have gently suggested on occasion that they use all this screen time to their advantage and develop some skills (code, game design, building game assets, web development, anything…I even provided them with game dev software) and then perhaps by the time they are leaving school they might be able to make some money from these skills but it fell on deaf ears. 🙈

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MapleTreeValley · 05/08/2024 18:43

I have a 14yo and this isn't normal IMO. Yes mine has a lot of screen time, but he also plays football, plays in a band, has lots of friends. As you say this isn't your problem to worry about, but it's not inevitable that your own DC will be the same at this age.

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Yourethebeerthief · 05/08/2024 18:46

Gaming addiction is like alcohol addiction. Often people don't understand it because they can have a drink and still live full lives that have nothing to do with alcohol. But some poor sods are just predisposed to addiction of any kind. In this case, this child is 100% addicted to gaming.

turkeymuffin · 05/08/2024 18:48

Obviously the above is not healthy or even "normal". Not a good indicator of a teen destined to be a successful adult.

How much you interfere depends on relationships.

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