[maccard]

At some point (particularly with teenagers) you have to accept they're making a decision. 16 year old me certainly wouldn't have been impressed with a parent pulling the plug on me playing Counter Strike so I could go do something "wholesome" on my own outside. Video games can be a heslthy release/form of entertainment - is it any worse to spend 10 hours a week playing Roblox than watching whatever garbage I was plonked in front of when I was 8 or 9?

[slavik81]

I wonder how many adults would respond better in that situation. It's been a long while since I've had anyone tell me what I'm allowed to do with my free time.

[TomMarius]

If the kid is more interested in playing counter strike than to go geocaching or build a robot with a parent, something is wrong. Obviously everything has limits, too much parent activity is too much, but that applies to counter strike as well.

[maccard]

Just because youre more interested in geocaching and building robots doesn't mean everyone else is. I get that these are just examples, but it's ok for kids to be interested in things their parents aren't.

[TomMarius]

Of course. As I said, limits. Some counter strike is OK, too much is not and it should not be in place of physical and educational activities. The kid certainly should be able to choose their own activities, but these should be educational and physical at least some part of the day. I specifically chose examples of potentially fun things to do because I wanted to show that it doesn't have to be boring study time/ride a bike around the block time.