Do you have rules on how much screen time (XBOX/PS3 or You Tube) you limit your teenagers to ?

[josben]

DS1 and DS2 (12 & 13) seem to be playing on their games more and more, i used to try and limit it to 1-2 hours per day but over half term that went out the window! :)

I am fed up of seeing them on screens (if its not the XBOX then its You Tube,... and they are not even on Face book yet)`) and so am going to write out some rules on how much time they can have in a bid to get them reading a book or something?!

But AIBU is this the norm....

TIA :)

My DC are online/watching TV for about 60-80 hours a week. DS a lot less though - he has less interest. They get good grades and are healthy, happy and social, so I can't see why they shouldn't be allowed to spend time on them.

When my boys were 12,10 &9 we simply banned gaming screens during the week. No xbox, no Playstation etc and we only had one telly. Initially it was difficult, it was like weaning them of crack cocaine!! They used the computer for homework but not gaming. To be honest they always had after school activities and weekend sporting matches and so it became less important to them.

Interestingly now, the older boy (19) doesnt really do gaming nor does my 16 year old, but my 18 year old is an avid fan now, but he is at Uni and can sort his own time out. The youngest is always texting more than gaming!!!

Further to sonorous My boys do all their homework on time have excellent school reports, keep their rooms reasonably tidy, iron their own shirts, and have outside activities at least 3 times a week, eldest is doing DofE too, so apart from the no screen in the afternoon (which can be relaxed for things like joining up with a friend at a new games release or something) I don't get too uptight about it either. Both boys are very well behaved despite playing games that are way above their age range now. I go by the theory that their personality, morals and behaviour is pretty well set by 13/14 so i've relaxed a lot on the age suitability and monitored behaviour and atitude and I'm still happy with what I see from them.

Theherb- you were the first reply to OP. Do you really have no screens ? No phones ? No computers? Do you live in the Uk ? Do you teens not have to use screens for school work ? do your DC's never use the Internet ?
You clearly have a a screen , as you are on here. I'm confused.

Ha Ha claybury you have a point - I am now sitting imagining theherb family all sitting looking at an actual DVD disc rather than watching the movie.......it's the simple things that amuse me :o

I am sure what she/he actually means is that they don't have a lot of consoles/laptops/tablets :)

'Not having screens in the first place' is what herb says is a solution. I'm just intrigued.

Screens include smartphones, tablets, PCs as well as gaming stations etc. DD 15 is surgically atttached to her phone, the plus is I can always text her and get a response. Even when she's in the bath.
DS was into Xbox until he was 13 when he was able to go out and get stoned socialise.
Very hard as a parent to police screen time, better to focus on encouraging the other stuff like exercise, homework, music practice. Screens are a fundamental part of life now. Interesting how TV is just not an issue, when I was young adults would complain how much TV kids watched.
For younger teens I recommend switching off router overnight.

I don't know about the OP but i'm feeling reassured by all your comments about not stressing about it. DS is social, well behaved, caring and gets his homework done on time. So im going to have the attitude that

Oops hit post too soon!

the attitude that if he continues with all that I'll take a step back and leave it to him. Much less angst all round!