End Video Game Battles with Your Kids Once and For All

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Ask a parent what one of the biggest battles they have with their kids is about and I can guarantee video games will be a frequent answer. Kids are drawn to video games (mobile apps, computer apps, all of the above) like moths to a flame. And many of them have a really hard time stopping once they start playing.

According to the Center on Media and Child Health:

  • 66% of tweens aged 8 to 12 play video games for an average of 2 hours per day.

  • 56% of teens ages 13 to 17 play video games for an average of 2.5 hours per day.

  • Over 80% of both tweens and teens have a gaming console.

If you are tired of video game battles with your kids, use these 8 tips to change your kid’s video game habit.

1. Make Clear Rules

Start by making clear rules about when and where your child is allowed to play video games. For example, no video games until all homework and chores are done for the day. You should also establish rules about where video games are allowed. Some families don’t allow kids to have video games in their bedrooms and others don’t like their kids bring their handheld devices to the dinner table.

2. Set App Limits

Most devices, such as iPads and Kindles, allow you to set limits for app usage. With the Kindle Fire, parents can set specific times when apps may be used, as well as time limits for apps.  

3. Enable Parental Controls

Likewise, parents should enable parental controls across all the devices their child uses. This means establishing what games your child is allowed to access and play based on ratings, blocking chat features, and setting time limits. Fortunately, there are ways to enable parental controls on the major game consoles. Check out PC Mag’s How to Enable Parental Controls on Every Video Game Platform for instructions.

4. Enforce Time Limits

Your kids need to limit their video game usage, and the best way to do so is to enforce time limits. According to the Child Mind Institute, “The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests time allotted should be under 30 to 60 minutes per day on school days and 2 hours or less on non- school days. The group recommends even lower limits of under 1 hour of total screentime per day for children under 6 years old […].

5. Do Your Research

Sadly, there are a lot of video games and game-style apps that aren’t safe or appropriate for kids. That’s why parents need to do their research. I recommend looking up video games on Common Sense Media to get descriptions, ratings, age ranges, and reviews from fellow parents.

6. Ask to See What They are Playing

Have an “open doors” policy with video games – as in, you can ask to see what they are playing at any time. Since so many of today’s video games include chat options, this is one way to make sure your kids are staying safe online.

7. Give Clear Consequences

Talk to your kids about your family’s video game rules and the possible consequences. If kids know the possible consequences ahead of time, they will be less likely to break the rules or fight you when they have earned a consequence.

8. Encourage Balance

It is also important to encourage your kid to find a healthy balance between playing video games and playing in the real world. Encourage social activities and extracurriculars. Invest in other toys and games.