Spaceship_small
Reputation: 1812
Follow 3
Follow 1

Should we be concerned our 14 year old son spends all his spare time on line playing RUNESCAPE?

He's basically pulling high grades. Almost always A's... he used to be in soccer, but when we jumped him over 7th grade (bored in all classes) he ceased to be a big fish in a small pond, and instead was just one of the unwanted underclassmen struggling to keep up with the 8thgraders, who kept telling him "you shouldn't have moved up". But his intellect clearly needed it. So he's quit soccer and sports. He's into archery club, and has a peer group that is into Magic cards, formerly pokemon, and meets three times a week. He loves to stay up and read, and Saturday Night Live is becoming a strong interest. Loves logic, Monty Python, and dr. who and imitates his older sister's interests along this line.
Should we be worried about him?

O my captain asked in Teens & Tweens about 1 year ago | Report

Answer this question or share it with a smart friend:

Avatar_default
Type your answer here…
Latest Greatest

3 Answers

  • Medium_2868373187_b2c11c89cf_o_small
    Reputation: 2266
    Follow 2

    Has friends, involved in activities and gets good grades. Sounds like a damn good kid. Don't worry about him playing video games for long periods of time - some of the best people I know (myself included) do that. We are functional, successful adults.

    Sounds like badass kid. Don't stress about it, and don't make him feel like he is "lazy" or "bad" for enjoying a game - just make sure he is also staying active with his social group and friends.

    Basil answered in Teens & Tweens about 1 year ago | Report
    2 comments by NGC1275 and Gloria…
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Dscn0421_small
    Reputation: 1195
    Follow 2

    My remarks about the computer games are on your previous q about talking to your son about sex. In other areas, it sounds like he is doing extremely well- pulling down high grades and having a close group of friends who share common interests and whom he sees on a regular basis are both excellent things. If he really liked playing soccer, would it possible to get him onto a team not associated with school, so he can play with kids who are actually the same age? If he doesn't seem to be missing it, I would encourage him to do something else that is physically active, but no need to be on a team or have a super-structured activity time-- just make sure he gets out and goes for a walk, or run, or swim or whatever else a few times a week so he stays healthy. I'd be proud to have a son like the one you describe.

    Sphinx answered in Teens & Tweens about 1 year ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Nyan-cat-ftw-video2463_small
    Reputation: 1747
    Follow 0
    NGC1275

    A resounding "absolutely not", sounds like several-a-friend of mine back in high school. Honestly, the only thing I would worry about is him feeling stuck and bored (with high school).

    I mean, you know that he's still probably hanging out with his friends all the time on Runescape right? Quick example: my best friend lives in San José, and if we were hanging out in person we would most likely be drinking a couple of beers and playing video games while sitting next to each other on the couch. With Xbox Live we can still do exactly that (minus the sitting next to each other) even though we live 800 miles away. We still have the serious talks about life while splattering n00bs, just over a headset while our girlfriend/fiancés (he's getting married) laugh at the 'ohohoh-OHHHH's that punctuate the conversation.

    MMO's like Runescape and World of Warcraft are much the same concept. You and your friends can talk and play video games together all day, but don't necessarily have to be in the same room (or country).

    If it's socializing that you're worried about, I think your son's probably fine. If it's lack of exercise... meh, just make sure he doesn't lean on the Mountain Dew Code Red too hard.

    NGC1275 answered in Teens & Tweens about 1 year ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend: