How to Drag Your Kids Away from their Video Games

By Jackie Burns Sympatico/MSN Shopping Contributor

My little brother used to spend hours glued to his precious video games and it was like WWIII whenever my mother would try and tear him away. Over the years I saw some of her techniques begin to take effect and eventually his time in front of the screen was greatly minimized. Here are five suggestions (by way of mother dearest) for getting your kids away from the gaming console.

#1 Create an Environment for Fun Outdoor Activities: If your child has several options for outdoor play at their disposal then they will be far more inclined to ditch the joystick. You might consider erecting a badminton net in the backyard and suggest your child invites friends over for a tournament. For this you will need to have a few badminton racquets on hand. Setting up a basketball net outside is another fantastic option and can even facilitate some good parental bonding time during a game of 21! (Biking, tennis and skateboarding are also great distractions that encourage your child to get active and off the couch.)

#2 Enroll them in Team Sports: As anyone who has ever played team sports as a child will tell you, they can lay the foundation for life-long friendships, help to build self-confidence and teach hard work and discipline. Signing your child up for a soccer, baseball or hockey team will also guarantee that they're safely away from their video games for at least a few hours a week! It will also encourage them to be social with their peers and counteract some of the negative effects of solo gaming.

#3 Schedule a Family Games Night: You may encounter resistance at first, but eventually your child will be the one twisting your arm to play games with them. Your selections will vary depending on the age of your child, but some of the favourites for older children and adults to play together are Monopoly, Apples to Apples, Boggle and Clue. There are several popular card games as well for younger kids.

#4 Help them Find a Hobby: A child who is engrossed in a stimulating hobby will be far less likely to fall prey to a video game addiction. The more things to sink their teeth into the better; whether it's getting them outfitted in the kitchen with some kids cooking activities, working together on a family tree project or setting them up with their own little art studio.

#5 Turn Them into Book Worms: What did we all do before TV, the internet and video games? It just may be time to rewind the clock and encourage your children to pick up a good book for an hour or so before bed each night. You'll probably find they'll be sneaking a flashlight under the covers before long. The Sammy Keyes or Molly Moon collections are great for tweens, whereas the Harry Potter series can make its way through the whole family.

What do you suggest for video game alternatives?

Check out other suggestions from our Green Channel:
Bring Nature Home With a Backyard Campout
School's out, Green's in: 10 Green Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer

   

Comments

YES I LOVE THIS

These a some great ideas! We already have a bike and basketball net and it works pretty well, except for the fact that we have to park beside the curb!
I find that taking my kids for a 1-1.30 hour walk each evening (with a break at the corner store!) makes them feel content. We have a good talk during our walks. We see things, people and animals and it's fun like that. All and we get exercise too, so, try it now! Good luck!

What would we do If we have adult kids. How we can create a day because they always wanted to glue with internet?

These are great ideas....to add to that, my kids and I recently spent a fantastic hour outside playing in the fresh puddles and rain while it was pouring outside. The kids loved it and we got soaking wet and there were absolutely no arguements about video games! They were so excited because MOM initiated it and was just as into it as the kids! Well worth the soggy clothes, wet floors and laundry!

This was a really good article, even though I am no longer a kid as I just recently turned 20, I found that these were still really good things to do. Althought teens and older "adult" children may act all cool andl ike family night is lame, deep down they are actually pretty excited. For adult children they like the same kinds of things, I love to go rollerblading with my parents, its kind of risky since they aren't very good, but its a chance to be together as well as take in the scenery and meet people along the way. You can also take older children golfing, to play tennis, and just going to the local soccer field to kick the ball at a real net are pretty fun ways to hang out together and get exercise all at the same time.

Fozia, you could always plan a family trip, such as to the beach, a weekend out, etc. If it is a pretty long car ride, allow them to bring their laptops along, that is if they have one. A portable DVD player always comes in handy for those kind of trips. Encourage them, that sometimes you need family time, and sometimes its your time. such as making time limits for the computer, when your not home, thats their time, when you are home, its family time. I hope this post was useful.

hi, i'm 13 and i like all those things on that article, but my sisters are adults and don't live with me and just recently moved where i don't know anyone around me. So basically, i'm lonely and have nothing to do this summer .

We live not far from Toronto and one of my daughter (12 yrs) favorite activity is to go into the City using the GO Train and then take subways or street cars. Just doing a walking tour of the city can be fun and free. Stand underneath the CN Tower and take a photo looking up, just awesome, take in the arcitecture at the Rogers center or by cheap tickets for a ballgame. Going to Younge street, the longest street in the world is fun and you see so many different people. There are chalk artists on the street and live manequins that are a lot of fun. One thing that people don't realize is how much is free or relatively inexpensive. The Royal Ontario Museum is free every Friday night after 4 pm and you can go to the National Film Board of Ontario and watch all the movies you want for free there. Each kid can sit in their own private showing booth. Luckily we are only an hour from a great Beach and have a pool where we live. We still enjoy our bike rides and long walks with the dogs. This year we moved so friends are limited but my daughter is keeping a daily journal of all the fun things she does everyday. If you really feel energetic why not paint your kids room and let them help. They love to help. Next thing you know it is bed time. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER

These are great ideas that we actually use... the basketball net was actually the best thing for quality time with the kids and my husband, he often spends half an hour with them when he gets home from work with them. We don't do game night but Saturdays are movie nights, popcorn and all. The kids are building a fort right now out of blankets, I haven't checked but I'm sure they're making a mess, but they're having fun... I'll let them sleep in it tonight but they will have to put it away tomorrow... They're not really old enough yet for video games and computers though...

This is great, I think it's a good idea to pull kids away from video games and all that before it turns into an addiction. Plus, if they do use video games, it's a good idea for parents to check before buying them because they could involve VERY violent content.

If you want to keep the kids busy and away from video games, the answer is simple. Don't buy video games. There's no games in our house and no one minds at all.

people, really who cares? Honestly the kids worked all year at school and know they get a break. On THEIR break, let them do what they want to do. Video games aren't bad, they let you have some alone time, the kids enjoy them and they eventually get bored and do something else. If you have some big problem against video games (which you shouldn't). Just encourage (don't tell) them to go outside, go for a bike ride, watch a movie, hangout with friends. Just give them options. Don't force them into something. Its their summer break, let them spend it how they would like to spend it. You only get to be a kid once.

The ROM is actually no longer free on fridays but half price, just checked today, but it is free on wednesdays from 4-5. AS for video games, I agree with not buying them. My daughter is 8 and doesn't have any. But there always seems to be something kids can be addicted to whether its video games or tv. Getting outside with them is best. Sitting on a couch and telling them to go outside and do something doesn't encourage fun and excercise it just says to your child that you want them out of the house and out of your way.

When it's so hot remember water balloons fight, water gun and sprinkler surprise your kids buy starting the water games they will get running around garanteed!

These are great ideas for school-aged children but I think that the information needs to bit a bit broader as it doesn't include any information for children that are younger (toddler-preschool) or late teens.

drive your kids from video games by makin dem go play some ball

I agree with Tim the single most important thing to keep kids connected to your family is to limit TV, computer and video time. My 8 and 10 year old are allowed TV on Sat and Sun morning only, the Wii is limited and computer time is limited and guess what they play other stuff all the time...without being told. They are also developing self control.

Wanna keep your offspring from Videogames? Don't buy them in the first place.
Time and Time again I see "parents" attempt to busy their offspring with Such activities becuase they dont' make personal Time to interact with their children. Even at the last day of school I heard " Oh Great Now we're gonna have them for a whole two months"
Sorry, But this is a popular tone from people I feel should NEVER have had children in the first place. Many Of the Suggestions above don't impress me ( this is not an attack on the author's Ego).
The process of making time and just getting y our children used to being around adults is the best thing for them during the summer. They are going to be adults, So Constantly Sticking them in a room with other children doesn't help them cope with anything beyond the realm of Child fantasy.

cheers.

Hey Leah, maybe you could take a baby-sitting course and then get some jobs working with younger kids? It would help you get to know more people and you would get to play!

oh yeah, people forget about tether ball! if you can't find a set-up you can buy one of those bouncy balls with a handle that are made for toddlers to hop around on and a $6 fence post.

Try to enroll them in a sailing program like Atlantic Challenge! www.atlanticchallenge.ca

A learn-to-sail and boat program.

Umm, hi guys. Im 11, and a normal kid. I play video games, but not alot. Its not bcuz my parents tell me not to or give me a certain time to be allowed on, its bcuz I get bored. Just bcuz your kid plays videogames alot, does not mean he/she is becoming addicted. Its a phase. I went thru it last year. Played videogames alot thru the summer. Buying a basketball net and stuff like that is a good idea, but dont ask or tell ur kid to go play, bcuz that makes them more happy to not do it, by knowing that they are not obeying you. Ur best choice to get ur kid active is too buy a basket ball net, and just let he/she decide to go play. Im a kid, and I know that we all get bored of playing videogames for too long. Not allowing ur kids too have video system or restricting use of comp and tv is not good. It once they get to the age of 10-16 they will start becoming un-happy bcuz of all ther friends playing video games and watching tv, and there parents restricting all of it. Hope this helped!

I think this is a fantastick article. I agree we need to get and keep our kids moving. I have two kids a 2 year old and a 6 year old, until my six year old started soccer she would get winded just running up the stairs(this worries me since I don't get winded on our stairs, and I'm 33 with athsma).

I like to regularly declare TV and Computer Free days. My daughter gets upset for the first few minutes, but then we brainstorm together about how we are going to spend our day. We find all kinds of things to do, riding our bikes, baking, making crafts, prcticing her soccer having a hula hoop competition, and seeing who can do the best cartwheel (yes, I can still do one!)

The point here is not only do we want to prevent the possibility of video game addictions and childhood obesity, but putting the electronics away for a day, also encourages us as parents to interact more with our kids. Our children need and thrive on the time they spend with us. Lets not rob them of the opportunity to truly enjoy their parents.

just let them play video games. the ones with killing sooth the soul.

To bad none of those worked for me.

Also, about the picture, no one looks like that playing video games (only the austistic and mentally challenged do].

Andddd video games do stimulate nerves.

They also increase Hand Eye Coordination.+

I have no intention of being insulting but I hate that video games are looked at with such negativity. Team sports are horrible, they ruin kids, especially if your not their to help guide them. They will get over competitive. Video games are a great way of just calming down and hanging out during the day. AND can be a great way to bond with your kids, load up a game and play some with them. You'll be amazed at how much they need to know and memorize in order to play the game well. It takes logic and reasoning, not just a twitchy finger to beat most games. I've played a lot of games with my son and it's great fun. It surprises me how much he has to learn and comprehend to play the game well. Its all about moderation, too many hours spent on sports is just as bad a thing as too many video games, even if its not as obvious. And about childhood obesity, you need moderation. There is no magic pill or way, just a healthy life style. My family has many video games and a computer (obviously) but everyone usually prefers to go outside and bike. Yes sometimes we have "game" days and they are extremely fun. The whole thing is balance and instead of teaching your kid "Video games rot your brain" (Which is COMPLETELY wrong and immoral) but instead teaching them how to achieve a balance in their lives, even when your not there. Then as they grow up into adults they will keep the sense of balance and live great lives.

Personally i think there are hobbies worse than video gaming...the ideal solution is to find a just middle between outside activities and inside ones,and as far as people blaming video games for the rise in violent crimes well...let's just remember how Elvis was a fornicator and how heavy metal led to higher suicides...of course you realise i am being sarcastic,no real studies have been done or researched toroughly enough to prove anything...so let's not get ourselves into the kind of small minded thinking that says a table has 4 legs and a dog has 4 legs therefore a dog is a table.

Video Games are scientifically proven to enhance hand-eye coordination, and problem solving skills.

This is the stupidest thing i have every heard here are a few reasons why:

1) Video Games ARE hobbies.
2) If you try to push or force a kid into somethin he/she may like it at first but the more you push the more they will pull away from it.
3) This thing makes video games sound evil.....like andrae said they enhance hand eye coordination and problem solving think back to the 80s was tetris evil and did it rot kids minds no it helped them figure out what piece goes where.
4) This is also making it seem like kids only play games that require them to sit on the couch and move 2 joysticks around no where do i see anything about the Nintendo Wii kids enjoy games like Mario Kart, Wii Sports and other games on the Wii that require you to move and not just sit there.

Anyway these are just my opinions you may or may not agree but i just felt like there was some stuff that needed to be said.

The one thing that I am grateful to video games for is that I know where my 10 and 13 year olds are when they are playing. They are not at the corner store hanging out, smoking, getting into trouble like some of the other kids in the neighbourhood. Sure I would love for them to read a book or do something else but I know it's not going to happen. Be realstic people...times have changed. My husband bought my kids each a dirt bike so they could go in the trails behind our house and was so disappointed that they did not use them often. I explained to him that just because he loved it as a kid doesn't mean they will. Anyone below the age of 25 has no issues with videogaming. It is the older generation that does not understand it. We have to adapt. I'm not saying I want my boys playing X-Box twelve hours a day but a couple hours a day I don't think will harm them. It's just my opinion! :)

Hello I just thought id let you know that this article is a little over board. Im a 20 year old that still loves to play video games, i have grown up playing video games, i think as long as your child had a balance between video games and and being active there shouldnt be a problem. But i also know first hand when a new video game comes out that your crazy for you'll just want to keep playing. I play alot of video games every week but i still have a full time job, play three sports, work out every day. So like i said there needs to be a balance, video games arent the worse thing in the world for you kids, at least you know there not getting in to trouble, or doing something worse under your nose.

It is tough to get kids outside. My mother used to kick us out of the house and lock the door! lol There are ways to get your kids active - the best, of course, is to be a good role model and to be active yourself. We set rules around brushing teeth, bedtime, curfew...why not set rules around exercise and video games. You can have one hour of both..get them to sit with you and work it out together - they will buy into it more. Also, there is the old saying "if you can't beat them, join them"...take them to a place like Bulldog Interactive Fitness - they have one in Guelph and Barrie, Newfoundland and Moncton and Bridgewater and Saskatchewan. They combine video games with fun and exercise and old-fashioned games - they have drop-ins...birthday parties, and the BEST summer camp programs ever! Their site is www.bulldoginteractivefitness.com - with the rain that most of Canada has been experiencing, it's a great way to drop them off, do your errands and then come back and pick them up - trust me, they will be sweaty!!!

Have a great summer!

Also ever notice how "nerdy" kids love videogames? And tend to be the ones who end up going to uni and eventually being the "jock" kids bosses? Not always but if u tested 50 gamers in high school vs 50 jocks in high school, i could guess who's gonna have better test scores. Not saying be a shut in or anything, just saying videogames are not the demon everyone makes them out to be. Parents always seem concerned about their kids social lives, what ever happened to them caring about their grades or their happiness. Again, not saying playing 8 hours a day, just saying that there are worse things a kid could be doing then playing a vidgame.

I'm 19, and as loathe as I am to admit it, I'm a bit of an electronics addict. Social networking sites, videogames, cell phones, everything that we have has started to take over, so I really appreciate this article to actually give ME some good ideas how to get away from it all.

My brother is 22 and already lives in our parents basement hooked up to 3 computers and 2 televisions simultaneously.

I find a simple "hey let's go for a walk" to be good, because I'll ask my dad right away if we can do it later, and he'll make me keep my word.

So thanks for posting! Good ideas!

I really just think people should just support their kids on what they want to do.if its a rainy day then video games are fine, but if its beautiful outside then he/she she get their but outside.SOMETIMES and most of the time parents can be over protective,like if your daughter wants to get her nose pierced and maybe lets say ten or five years down the road she MAYBE wont like it and takes it out and has a little scar,but she puts up a good argument to why she wants it,but you still say no,why would you say no? i mean its her nose let her do what she wants with it!.and some video games can be violent but most aren't,why worry about their video games when they could be doing something worse like drugs for instance, maybe you should be worrying about that instead,and if the are addicted to violent video games you only have to get them away from the games if they are distributing violent behavior , but like i ran around carrying sticks as swords with my friends when i was a Kid and pretending to be ninjas and play fighting with them but no one got hurt , i mean it was fun, that was fun...but like i said earlier you really have to be supportive of your son or daughter and let them define themselves , and guess what, my friend and I and are only thirteen and he has his eyebrow pierced ,my mom thinks its disgusting but i think it defines his character..but anyways most adults cant comprehend the teen or child's mind , and think their always right because they have been on this earth longer, but what can a kid like I do? I cant argue I'll get grounded oh well sometimes sacrifices have to be made :)

get the kid a job.

Yeah, I agree with people when they say that it's all in moderation (and that no kid looks like that in the picture unless they've got a mental problem or something). I like the idea of giving your kid options (just don't get all, "Forget video games! You're going to be a painter!"), but I find the "put them in enrolled sports" thing to be a bit much. Especially in the wallet. I mean, not to sound stingy or anything, but the cost of enrolling your kid in sports is high (especially hockey), and when you multiply it by FOUR kids, that's a lot, especially on a single income family.

When I was a kid, me and my siblings would join the (free) TD Reading Club every summer at my library. It was the most awesome thing in the world, because the more books you read, the more stickers you got for your poster and at the end of the summer, there was this big activity day thing. It kept us off the streets.

And Liam? Playing Ninja with "swords" RULES!!! :) (and so does tetherball)

My responses to your ideas,

1 - Move the TV outside.
2 - Online gaming IS a team sport. I have created longer lasting friendships from gaming than I ever have from disorganized sports.
3 - Why don't you schedule a time to play video games with your kids? Egads, you couldn't do that right, it wouldn't be possible! The fact is, showing an avid interest in what your child enjoys could be beneficial to both.
4- VIDEO GAMES ARE A HOBBY
5- Books are kinda boring.

Stop pulling your kids away from what they enjoy, all it does it create long lasting loathing towards you, or your kid becomes a little bitch and runs away from home, eventually falling out of a tree and dieing.

In this topic: Parents who discourage fun.

Maybe the kid just likes videogames. Why are all you people trying to mold your kids into things they arent? He/she just isn't a jock. Get over it. Stop pushing your goals and ideals onto your kids.

I agree, kids have their own interests, don't make them do things they don't wanna do.

Hey,
I was wondering what you think of the idea of video games being a more intellectual stimulation, as a pose to a physical one (like sports). I find for myself (i'm a 19 year old who playes video games a fair amount) that sports arn't usually enough. The strategy involved just doesn't do it for me. I recognize the importance of reading, which I do all the time, but sometimes video games are the only thing that really works my brain enough. Another thing online gaming has given me is contact to people in places all over the world, from different cultures and who speak many different languages, which I think is an amazing thing. We are all able to communicate through the language of the game which is pretty cool. Anyway, any responses would be nice, thanks for reading if you read this all :P

Nice article, and being a gamer myself i only wished these things were avalible to me when i was a kid but one of the biggist problems with this is that it assumes every single kid can have access to all these things. Let alone be able to do it, what if he's or SHE...yes women DO play video games.
is not phisacly fit so cant play sports. What if they tried out once and didnt make the team?
To be honest the most realistic option is givng them the CHANCE to read. You can't force them otherwise they will just fall back on video games and the computer.
Even though theres not alot for guys to read unless there fans of harry potter or twilight, girls actually read quite alot because of them.
Now if we look towrds a more "advanced" for lack of a better term culture of japan.
Video games have been part of the mainstream there for about 20 years. North america is only catching on now that video games arnt just for guys in a dark basement, and Major leage gaming IS a school team in some schools there and a few universites in Canada and U.S.
Video games also sold more then the music and movie industruy combined. Did just as well as books and sold more then toys.
But still kids do need to be active *and i dont mean playing wii fit ether*
but parents also need to step up. im 18 years old so i was born in the generation that was still active and played outside but also sat in front of the TV during disney's afternoon hour on saturday, so my parents also went outside to show me that ""outside can be fun". Parents now dont do that at all. For those that actually will go outside and want to spend time with them i salute you cause a good chunk of them just sit at the table smoking half a carton of cigirettes and are somehow shocked that there 12 year old kid tried it. -_-" seriously kids do what they see. its even worse now because kids are so visually stimulated then they were. On top of that parents watch TV shows like DR. phil and see these extreme situations and think that should be done at there house. Cant blame them cause half the time they talk like kids are computers that you can program on that stupid show.

In conclusion, Instead of winding the clock back 70 years like most of the conservitive americains years how about just 12 years or ahead 12 years and catch up with the world in technolagy?

I think it's horrifying that all of the people who are FOR these ideas have basic reasoning skills and a good concept of the English language. Alternatively, all of you who cannot string together four words without misspelling something or butchering the structure of a semi-coherent thought; maybe you SHOULD peel yourselves away from your games long enough to take a gander at a book and glean some intelligence. You're all an embarassment and you should be ashamed that you are so incapable of conveying a thought without coming across as complete morons.

maybe u should ask them if they would lyk to learn rock climbing learn instrumentsor something. i play piano ddrums and guitar. but dont worry iff they dont stop they will soon cuz some games eventually get boring the more u play it. if u want get a fooseball, pool or ping pong table.

You now video games are a good learning experience and a lot that you can buy now are educational so if you have a problem with your kids playing video games grab something thats educational for your kids quite complaing and do something about most people are to lazy to go take there kids swimming or to the park or for a walk half the time you see kids that shouldnt be waking by themselfs walking and bythemselfs like seriously i would rather my kids playing video games than that. Take some time out of your so called busy schedules and spend a little time with your kids it really doesnt kill you. It doesnt matter what anything you can do anything they will enjoy. an d you now anythings better than sitting around doing nothing ................... Quite being so lazy take your kids out and do something.

I just want to point out that there is a difference between educational and fun games vs games that are extremely graphic and violent. All games are not created equal--some promote hand/eye coordination, some promote memory, and with more wii games coming out, some promote a level of activity. My boyfriend has played games all his life and still does, and played a sport throughout school. On the other hand, I played in a minimum of one sport at a time (at times, it was up to three), and rarely played any video games (my parents didn't believe in them). We are both pretty well-adjusted (if I do say so myself ;).
I think that sometimes we tend to blame video games for many problems in the world, BUT we need to remember that there are usually other factors that contribute to issues in the world.
As many people have said -- everything in moderation.

According to Social Psychology: Goals in Interaction, playing violent games (or being highly exposed to them) "showed a particular pattern of brain wave activity that indicated that they had become desensitized to viewing violent images"(349). Parents who buy their children games that are rated 18+ and think they are a cool parent, or that they are doing their child a favour--you aren't. don't kid yourself. parents aren't supposed to be cool, they are supposed to be parents.

There's nothing wrong with children playing video games in the first place, and looking at this list, I can tell you (because I'm a gamer myself), NONE OF THIS WILL WORK.

If your child is a true gamer, nothing will tear them away. You may be able to stop them from playing as much, but gaming will always be at the back of their brain. Everything in moderation is what I say. If you tell them that they can't play before school and for an hour or two after school, but then let them play for the rest of the time, they'll probably respond better because you're still letting them play video games. If you attempt to cut them off completely, they'll rebel and won't listen. In the time before and after school that they're not playing (or in summer, "No gaming before noon"), they may find something else they like to do. It won't make them stop playing video games, but it will get them to expand their interests.

I've done project after project on all of this stupid "violent video games are bad for children" stuff, and after all the data I've collected, I can solidly say that they aren't. What's the difference between a violent movie and a violent video game? Parent's just say "oh it's only a movie" when the movie is scary or violent, but video games seem to be different for some reason. Tell your child that the video game is "only a video game". I've played tons of different types of games, from Grand Theft Auto, to Mass Effect, to Super Mario Bros, and nothing has ever made THINK about doing any of the things portrayed in the games.

Everything in moderation.

you cannot be glued to the internet.

YOU ARE THE INTERNET.

do not try and change reality, times are changing, soon the world will be the internet. As it already is.

wtf? None of these awful ideas could ever pry me from my true love (aka video games)
sorry, but these are HORRIBLE ways to stop kids from playing on their game consoles

I dunno dan, after playing mario i had the sudden urge to take shrooms and kick turtles around.

and grand theft auto gives me urges to kill prostitutes.

Your wrong video games influence people to do things because you are doing them ingame, since you are interacting with it your brain takes it for reality and assumes you can do those things anywhere.

Video games should be outlawed, they are worse then marijuana and crack.

The great irony of this implied critique is that Plato once made similar comments about the written word (see how Socrates critiques the written word in his dialogue Phaedrus). Socrates complained that books were anti-social because one could not speak with the author. This aligns with the implied critique of video games in #2 and #3. He complained that books would make people stupid by allowing them to pretend to know things they didn't really know. They no longer had to memorize things. This point aligns with the implied critique of video games in #5 as being less profitable than learning that might come from books. Socrates also worried that books would corrupt the youth of the city. This point aligns with #4 where it is assumed that young people could be doing healthier activities rather than being corrupted by video games. Did any of these things come to pass? Have we done away with books for all the dangers Socrates saw in them? No need to answer that one. The problem is not the video game. If it is, then perhaps we need to make a list talking about how to drag your kids away from books.

Wow herccoel you're pathetic ! Video games are better than drugs anyday. They help you decompress and relax after a hard day's work. I think, the only reason that would make you want to kill prostitutes and turtles, would be the fact that you have no self control whatsoever and your lack of common sense and maturity are severly underdevelopped either that or you're actually 10... Seriously why do you think video games have ratings? To keep incompetent people like you from playing the wrong ones.

P.S. If you're 18 or over (which I highly doubt). I pity you. =)

I don't see how these would work. I play games everyday for about 6 hours and I don't see what the negative effects are of it and neither does anyone else in the family. Team sports isn't a replacement, reading books can be done at the same time as playing games, Family game nights are one of the worst things you could be because it's just boring, playing video games is a hobby so sorry about that.

I suggest you talk to someone who really plays video games if you wish to find ideas, because no offense... Grabbing them from years ago won't do squat in today's age.

Brilliant IDEAS! But none of my parents can do that, i'm the reason why they are divorced. Hehe :D

These are absoluty horrible ideas, i'm 14 and if my mom did any of those, she would be flat out wasting her money!

Reading, I like reading but I'm not looking at a page for five hours a day. It's summer and kids have about 16 hours of playing time. Same goes for the hobbies, those are horrible hobbies if you want good hobbies try something like trading card games. #2 also fails, not everyone wants to play sports competitively. #1 and 3 are good and only that.

I hate parents like you, take the time and LEARN why kids play video games or surf the internet. Not an addiction, it's just fun.

go to gamersaloon.com and sign up and they can make money, if they win, at playing video games. you might turn them into compulsive gamblers by the time they are 18 but who cares they're on there own at 18

I am an extreme gamer myself . And here are some of my suggestions to help get your kids away from the TV .

1.) If your child hasn't already started playing ONLINE , don't let him . It opens up a world of never ending fun .

2.) If you think your child is permanently addicted to gaming , then it might be . Throw the console out the window and shoot your child in the face . By shooting your kid , he wont bug the crap out of you for taking away his console . Use a shotgun , it will be a 1 shot kill .

3.) Don't try at all and let your child fall under into the virtual world of gaming .

Let your effin kids play videogames!

I have a son that does play Team sports, reads books, and enjoys outdoor activities.
But my other one just like video games.
should i only let one of them play? or keep it somewhat fair?

Once kids get older and into their highschool years, the majority of their friends will be into video games or have hangouts where systems will be available. Although its not like its our lives, like we still hang out outside, play on school teams, and chill at the park. What i think is that unless your kid plays video games 24/7 and it becomes their life, then you shouldn't have to worry about it. Sure you can still provide opportunitites for your child to go outdoors and pick a hobbie, but it's not as big of a deal as everyone is saying it is. And for the idea that, "by buying violent games, they're going to act in a violent way", honestly how many kids do you know that have acted on that? Sure there's probably a possibility of it happening, but not as high as parents are thinking. So all in all, unless it's becoming their life, let them be.

And what is wrong with playing video games? What is wrong with being addicted to video games? Why is it such a big deal for kids to getting "Active" ? Make your kid walk to school in the morning. Live far away? Buy them a bike and make them get up early, its a good idea to get into the habbit anyways. Still got fat kids? Stop feeding them fries, start making health food.

Sure, force your child to go play with their friends, and get used to being out with them instead of at home safe. That way you can ensure that when they get older they will be out partying and drinking, because they are already used to being out of the house and that stuff happens. Videogames keep kids inside away from drugs and alcohol.

Get yo kid a girlfriend and he will be too busy with poon to be playin dem video games.

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Okay, first thing, kids who play videogames so much that you need to look on the internet for tips to get them off, will not be eager to go outside. Sure, they may want to and thats swell but then, clearly they do not have a problem. Me? easily 50 hours a week (when there is school) other wise I manage a much more sickingly amount. Last thing I want to do is go for a walk when I could be playing Halo 3. If your kid actually does these things, clearly there is no problem. If your kid is like me, feel honored that your son/daughter is engaging in Jesus's Pastime : Videogames.

I'm 15. I always get harped on by my grandparents when I go on the computer, or go to my friends place to play video games because "its rotting your brain and its just a stupid box and you don't learn anything." I learn more on the computer than i do at school and have more fun playing video games than i do doing a lot of other things. When they tell me to get off and do homework, it makes me Not want to do it at all. Usually i remind myself i should get off and go do it. When they tell me to, I don't feel like doing it anymore. People need to understand that video games aren't really bad at all. Its a hobby. I don't have video games in the house but if i did i'd sure as tits be playing them. Not all the time, but i would play them.

The trick is to form a new society based on everything we have learned so far, which leads us away from the capitalism economic system present. The main route is to refined participatory economic/political/educational etc. systems. If you would like to learn more about it, I am in the middle of reading the book "Real Utopia: Participatory Society for the 21st Century"... it has a lot of great thought provoking ideas in it and it has refined many of mine. Another important thing to keep in mind is that the reason the youth enjoy video games so much is because our economic system has branches that depend on this nurturing so that they get their parents to buy this stuff for them. This nurturing is present to a lesser extent in older generations. We need a system that gives our youth a life.

As an 18 year old, I am coming from generation Y which is defined as the generation which is being nurtured by a generation that has very little knowledge of all these electronics. Generation Z which is the generation after mine is the first that has parents who also understand these electronics so it is important to give them a voice just as loud as everyone elses. Take the comment Posted by: Riley | Jun 28, 2009 10:27:06 PM for example. Common sense has a lot going on for it in today's sad society.

Get the whole family on bikes!

Myself and my father take huuuuge bike rides back and forth from Paris, ON to Cambridge, ON to Kitchener, ON once a week. I look forward to it (even though it kills me physically).

im a kid who's 16 and alot of kids will not do that shit.

Ugh...Why are people so against video games? Yes, maybe they shouldn't totally engross your life but its something entertaining to do, stop trying to take that away from them. Besides, surgeons in some states are REQUIRED by the hospital to play at least one hour of video games a night because it strengthens their hand-eye coordination.

OMG I HOPE MY MOM DOESNT DO THAT! I LOVE VIDEO GAMES!

These are great ideas! Playing games is a natural part of growing up. It’s one way that kids learn to socialize and compete. Computer and online games, in most instances, are no more dangerous than other games that kids play. But sometimes, computer and online games become more than just play. They become an addiction. And when they become an addiction, your child’s psychological and physical well-being may be in jeopardy.

Let me share this article.

http://searchwarp.com/swa511090-Kicking-The-Habit.htm

Video games aren't as bad as everyone says! When I was a kid, (I'm 24) playing video games actually made me smarter, kind of. I would always play games and never know what the heck they're saying so I'd look it up in a dictionary. It helped me play guitar better because of the whole hand-eye coordination thing and it improved my problem solving skills. (Not to mention getting the diligence to finish things.)

I completely agree with Gamerforlife and Bean
Video Games ARE A HOBBY!!!
I know from experience

Well you know, this entire article could be avoided if people (god forbid the mere conception of such a notion) would not buy their children video games in the first place.

Instead of shelving out large sums for machines that create a pseudo reality why not buy your child a book for considerably less or maybe purchase them a box of lego and let them actually have some interaction with the real world rather than some alternative reality in the form of a female character with enhanced physical features or male character who looks unreasonably androgynous.

But then again, what am I thinking?
Getting children to entertain themselves through the use of imagination and creativity?
What kind of parent would want that? I mean it requires a lot less time and effort when your child is being watched over by an electrical appliance and all you have to do is feed them and mutter the occasional "you are so special, you can be whatever you want to be" nonsense.

As if "the Veld" by Ray Bradbury isn't scary enough as a work of fiction, to actually see it transpire into reality is quite a different sort of horror.

Oh well, i'm not complaining it's all the better for society in the long run. Why herd freethinking creatures when you can turn them into sheep?

my friend is a gamer and it's ok sometimes. but he goes overboard and won't do anything but play vidiopgames most of the time. It wouldol if he did other things sometimes.

It would be way cool if he did other things sometimes...that is the last line

Those are great ways to divert our kids from video games to another creative activities. I would like to share also some link which can also help gamers from kicking the habit of gaming. Here is the link for your reference:http://www.sooperarticles.com/gaming-articles/kicking-habit-6253.html

thats a load of crap. im 13, play games 24 7 and im fine. i laughed to myself when i read this off my mom's computer. yeah thats not gonna work on me retard!