TEENAGE PC ADDICT -

[tinyshoes]

Depressed son hooked on PC - becoming more and more distant and withdrawn. Concerend at what he is looking at and how it is influencing him let alone the amount of time he is on it ? all day unless we entice him away ? is addicted. Doctors aware, but have not suggested removing the PC. He has removed the history even though we put it back on. How do we make sure we know what he is looking at so we can intervene when unsafe without abusing his trust ( which is pretty thin anyway at the moment?) . Thinking of removing PC unless some sort of ?deal? can we struck to protect his best interests/health/mind. Please -any ideas welcome/ what do you think of our plan? Thank you.

[Dededum]

Can you put a programme like Timesupkidz on it - then you can control how much time and what time of day he can use it.

I have an 11 year old DS1 who is also on his way of becoming addicted. I am trying to encourage other activities and communication but it is so tempting to put the thing in the bin

[almostanotherday]

If you have anti virus like norton they do a parental control and you can set it up somehow to receive an email of websites your children have view without them knowing.

[YulaBaker]

How old...if he is 6 you need to take it away, if he's 18 not really your business what he looks at.

[usualsuspect]

How old is he?

[TheFallenNinja]

Put it in a room where it can be seen.

[tinyshoes]

He's 16 . And very smart - so finds a way round most of what we do on the PC .
We have been turning the net off - that helps a bit - but messes things for my other son who needs for homework /a levels and myself for my work.
thanks for the Timesupkidz - new one --- gettting onto now !And Norton - we do have it ...

Thanks all for these ..... think will try combination plan of all ... and cross fingers he doesn't run away from home angry with us ( he couldn't have a PC then"!) .....

[booksteensandmagazines]

Some internet providers (BT I think is one) allow you to turn off the internet for specific computers - so you don't need to cut yourself off, just the child who needs a break. However with internet on mobiles/ipads etc you need to think about ensuring that if he has access to these, they are not available either and that he understand why you are restricting internet for those times and what you would like to see him doing instead.

[tinyshoes]

taking a look - can see I need to become more clued up on ITto tackle this and set better boundaries.

many thanks can see a way forward - will try all these.

[secretscwirrels]

I've posted on your other thread but I didn't comment on the PC stuff because it sounded as though your son would know more than me.
There are some very good teccy people who post on the "geeky stuff" board but might not look in teenagers. Maybe re post there?

And by the way I agree that negotiation and agreement is the tactic of choice if it works with your son.

[tinyshoes]

Good idea - off to be a geek now! Many thanks again.