However, two- thirds of US children and adolescents indicate that their parents have “no rules” related to time spent on media use. Having clear and consistent guidelines related to video games prevents excessive playing. And finding some things you can do together will help to make your relationship better, especially if there has been a lot of fighting over their gaming habit.įor children and younger adolescents, and even for older adolescents under the age of 18, you as a parent should have the bulk of the say in determining appropriate limits to gaming. It can also help to give them little rewards for doing those activities.

If your child is having fun doing something besides gaming, they’ll do it more. It’s important to help your child find other activities they really like. Some days every week should be video game-free. If you want to be sure, check the web history on your child’s computer.Īnother good rule is to allow gaming only after homework and chores are done. Avoid any games with graphic violence or sex. It’s also appropriate for parents to know and approve the games their kids are playing. Kids under 6 should spend closer to 30 minutes. For kids over the age of 6, the American Academy of Pediatrics says no more than 60 minutes on school days and 2 hours on non-school days. It’s good to set video game time limits by age. Consequences for breaking the rules, like a ban on gaming for a period of days, should be immediate. And limits only work if you stick to them. They can also fix a gaming habit that’s out of control. But there are steps a parent can take to set limits on gaming. They can lose interest in other activities. For many, gaming is one of a variety of activities they enjoy. The full article is an excerpt from the book Pause and Reset, by Nancy M.

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