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Gaming

Note: This topic is for discussing games and gaming.

15 year old total gaming addict

2 replies

KatieBw · 01/05/2017 16:00

My DS has very quickly become addicted to a game called Overwatch and it's a constant battle between us. He is 15, has recently changed school because he was unsettled and unhappy. He is now in a less structured 'college' style environment which he doesn't really seem to have the maturity to cope with. Since a mad night out in February, after which he was grounded, he has just become hooked into this game and while I impose restrictions, he seems unable to contain himself around the game or moderate his use. If I remove the console, he becomes flat, lethargic, refuses to move or do anything, wistfully watches YouTube films all day about the game. He cannot imagine life without the game, talks about suicide and sees any restrictions or compromise as me bullying him. Since becoming involved at this level, his friendships have become online only, his previously-obsessive personal hygiene is no more. He has done whole nights on the game. He's abusive when asked to come off. His school work is extremely mediocre and he just doesn't seem to care at all (he sits a gcse a year early, in June, is barely doing any work). It's basically like living with a junkie, sorry to sound melodramatic, but I'm at a genuine loss as to what to do. Currently he doesn't have the console so refuses to get dressed, do any work, I will have a battle to get him to school tomorrow. I feel terrorised and wish I could drop the Xbox into the Thames! Any advice re this? Through my gp we have a counselling appointment on may 22nd but this feels very urgent.

OP posts:
user1482079332 · 01/05/2017 16:15

Not melodramatic at all, your son sounds depressed people use all sorts shopping, drugs sex ext to avoid whatever their pit of misery is. Maybe instead of removing console ext look to fill other aspects of his life and lead with the game as the carrot? Are there any competitions, meet ups, chance to see you tubers. ext? Something to get him out the house and socialising

Badbadbird · 22/05/2017 12:43

I was like this. When I was a teen it was world of warcraft. Completely sapped my life from the ages of 14-17 when I should have been out enjoying myself. It is an addiction, going to uni was what made me quit but only because the wi-fi at uni was so terrible it was impossible to play. The kindest thing you could do is completely remove his access to this game somehow. You could explain that it has become a problem and you're taking it off him for his own good, and weather the backlash. Or you could get someone "in the know" about networks to sabotage your internet connection (restrict the network speed on your router so that the game becomes impossible to play,) then make sure there is a password. Make sure he can't reset the router. Just some ideas. Don't let him waste his best teenage years.

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