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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Teenagers and Playstations

6 replies

SarahLNew · 21/04/2015 17:22

My son is 14 and obsessed with playing his Playstation. He speaks online with his friends at weekends and on holidays but very rarely sees them as he does not see the point (!) I try my best to encourage him to have interests and he has started lots of clubs only to give them up later on or feign illness as an excuse not to go. I am tearing my hair out! Any suggestions? Is this normal?

OP posts:
catzpyjamas · 21/04/2015 17:26

Been there! Can you limit his time on it or better yet make him earn it by doing something useful / healthy?
When DSS was younger, I used to worry about who he was speaking to on it as there are many much older players with some choice language. Listen in every now and then!

InRecovery · 21/04/2015 21:13

Sounds exactly like my 13 yr old.
I asked if he wanted to invite over the particular friend he had been talking to a lot but he seems to prefer talking to him on Playstation Confused
Never sticks with activities and like your DS will also feign illness to not go.
Never wants to go out for walks etc anymore :(

He recently had the playstation confiscated - his general attitude immediately improved. I wonder if there is a way a timer system can be put in place via the playstation itself - doubt it but that is what I need when he gets it back. I tried Playstation only after homework is done and the resulting flip-out about that is the reason DS's Playstation is now confiscated.

No words of wisdom, hopefully someone else will come along with those, but definitely lots of empathy!

InRecovery · 21/04/2015 21:20

Just found this:
www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Ben-BB-297379-Controller/dp/B005J9YX3M
I think I might buy it.
Obv it doesn't address the 'why won't he have a life away from the Playstation' issue, but I suppose it is a start in helping them see that they can!

catzpyjamas · 21/04/2015 21:22

Sorry should have thought of this earlier. There's some good advice here:
www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-to-technology/gaming-devices/how-to-stay-safe

Original poster
SarahLNew · 22/04/2015 07:23

Thanks everyone who has responded. Even if there are no easy answers, it helps to know that I am not alone and the tips are really useful. Wish me luck!

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/04/2015 14:09

I yell up the stairs to turn it off and for ds to go and do something elseGrin

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