My rule has always been the advice my Grandmother gave me. “Start as you mean to go on” …. Before putting a rule in place think about how it will impact things moving forward and if you are happy about that. if so then go for it. DO NOT allow a child to spend all weekend playing these games if you are not going to be happy for them to do that every single weekend, etc. Set the time limits and stick to them. If needs be and they are sneaking on in the middle of the night then you change the wifi password before bed and it doesnt go back on until you are happy for them to go back online.

Ummmmmm… Who’s the boss??
The parents should be controlling the amount of time kids spend on the games.. it should never get to that stage !!

As a parent of boys who do play video game we have a time they are allowed to play and a time it is turned off and they know the rules and if they break them then they is a consequence, this situation got way out of hand and she should had said no early and not let it go a school far as it did.

I agree. I’m a Mum of 3 and we get tantrums when I say no that’s enough but I think you have to set those boundaries early so they learn to respect you when your older.

I didn’t watch the show but I’ve seen enough and read enough about it to know the content and context. Yes, the parents were initially to blame. Tough love. Rules. Boundaries. Our house rules with gaming were always only from after school Friday to end of Sunday night. My son had other things on the weekend, so it wasn’t a priority. We don’t have TVs or any devices in the bedroom – it’s for sleeping only. So, yes, parents need to get tougher and take control. Kids want rules and boundaries. When you don’t provide them, things get out of control.

Wed never had games like this when we were young, neither did our parents.
Simple, don’t give the kids these games. If you find out they are playing these all the time when they are at other peoples places restrict the time they spend there. Invite their friends to your place. It’s bad enough that they expect to watch TV, DVDs etc all day (and in some cases night too) and without adding games to the scenario;

Love this article. Children need boundaries and their screen time needs to be limited. Otherwise of course they will play all day long!

Parents are completely responsible! The bought the devices and introduced then into the house, so they should have set some ground rules!

They certainly let it gone totally out of hand !

Of course parents are responsible, we’re the ones who are meant to set boundaries and ensure that those boundaries are respected and upheld. How on earth does a child get from playing games a little every day or so to never leaving their room and stop going to school?! They had plenty of signs of where their child’s behaviour was headed and let him steamroll right over them. And their reasoning is that they didn’t want to hire heir child? I’d have sold the console, games and TV well before it reaches the point that its at now. Everyone’s entitled to parent as they see fit but use some commonsense, young people need boundaries and rules.

I agree that the blame is on the parents. You aren’t the child’s friend you’re their parent and it’s your responsibility to take control of their behaviour.

Well yes, actually. Some blame goes to the designers of games, but most to parents.

I found this really hard to watch last night. I feel for the families but they made a rod for their own backs when they didn’t deal with the situation firmly from the very beginning.

Oh dear these games should be banned

It’s easy to say what they should have done but the Mother was trying to get her son through a divorce in hindsight she probably would have set more rules but she obviously didn’t know how bad it could get and is now just trying to warn others.