xbox

[HappyNanny1972]

my son (14) spends most of his free time on his xbox. I'm wondering is it really all that bad? His dad and one of my friends are always moaning at me to make him go out.
He does on occasion choose to go out but I do not force him
we live in a deprived area and there are drugs readily available (my neighbor for one) and the friend who insists i send him out - her son is 15 been excluded from school twice and has a criminal record for assault (attacking a teacher)
I do check his on line activity etc and he socialises with friends on line - when one of them has enough money for a new game they do arrange to meet up and go to town

My DS can be the same. Not so bothered now it is starting to get darker earlier as at least he's not hanging around on street corners in the dark. He plays online with his friends as well so I know it's not face to face but they do talk about other things while they are playing. My attitude is it saves me having a load of boys round who I then have to supply food and drink to.
It's a good idea to try and get him out a bit at weekends or during the holidays. My DS is 16 so some will have jobs and sporting commitments so he can go a few weeks without seeing them but they hook up eventually.
As far as your friend is concerned unless he son's troubles are connecting to too much time on the x box not sure she is in the position to advise/criticise.

My ds(15) is on his Xbox a lot in his free time too. I don't see anything wrong with it and it's just a more modern form of socialising. As long as your ds is doing well at school and getting plenty of sleep I think he'll be fine. What kind of games does he play?

I think the Xbox is quite sociable as they chat away to their friends. I would let him be.