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Computer addict

Johnsmum

My son spends several hours every day on his computer, mostly playing games or music, though I have a suspicion he may have viewed porn as well. As he is a teenager, it's probably too late to start imposing a time limit on computer time (besides which, if he weren't on the computer, he would only be watching TV).

Do others think that too much computer time is not good for our kids? I would love him to be making friends but he never invites anyone home from school, and they don't invite him. If they did, of course, they would end up playing computer games together! But at least it would be social.

We have very good provision in our area for social activities for kids on the spectrum, but I get a feeling he doesn't want to go to something that is especially for kids like him.

Would love to hear others' thoughts on computers, socializing, etc, especially for older teenagers.

Parents

  • BlackHatMentor said:

    Ok, this is where problems occur.

    Do NOT stop them from being on the computer.

    I was identical to that, and am currently studying Computer Science at top of my class.

    Due to being on the computer so much I didn't drink much, I didn't turn to "legal drugs" and I didn't commit acts of vandalism with my freinds.

    And need for social interaction? They fulfill this at school, try letting them relax a bit, for all you know they might become the next Steve Jobs or the next Alan Turing.

     

    As a side note, I think you would preffer they saw porn than have a girl's dad coming to your door about your son getting his daughter pregnant.

    Hi BlackHat, I forgot about this thread and have just discovered your contribution. Despite what others said, I was greatly cheered by what you said from the point of view of someone in the same situation. He may indeed be the next Steve Jobs! (or perhaps more pertinently Bill Gates, as BG is reputed to have AS, but I just hope he sells better software).

    Atually it has got worse recently, as he dropped out of 6th form before Christmas and is not going back  till September (to a different school, in an autism-specific unit, hurrah!). He is supposed to be doing voluntary work in between but the only way we can get him to go to it is to pay him for going!

    He is spending all day on the PC or the Wii, and then reporting a lot of headaches. We got his eyes tested but he does not need glasses. The CAMHS doctor has written him a timetable in which he goes to a voluntary job each day and doesn't touch anything electronic till 4.00 pm, but he just ignores it, and as I am at home but generally working (as a freelance writer) I don't get round to stopping him. He doesn't get dressed at all some days. I know I have to start implementing the timetable but it is so difficult, especially with a grouchy teenager.

    PS Just wanted to add that he has joined a group that goes to a games workshop at a game playing centre and shop every Saturday, and this does provide some social interaction in the context of computer games, although most of the children there are younger than him.

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  • BlackHatMentor said:

    Ok, this is where problems occur.

    Do NOT stop them from being on the computer.

    I was identical to that, and am currently studying Computer Science at top of my class.

    Due to being on the computer so much I didn't drink much, I didn't turn to "legal drugs" and I didn't commit acts of vandalism with my freinds.

    And need for social interaction? They fulfill this at school, try letting them relax a bit, for all you know they might become the next Steve Jobs or the next Alan Turing.

     

    As a side note, I think you would preffer they saw porn than have a girl's dad coming to your door about your son getting his daughter pregnant.

    Hi BlackHat, I forgot about this thread and have just discovered your contribution. Despite what others said, I was greatly cheered by what you said from the point of view of someone in the same situation. He may indeed be the next Steve Jobs! (or perhaps more pertinently Bill Gates, as BG is reputed to have AS, but I just hope he sells better software).

    Atually it has got worse recently, as he dropped out of 6th form before Christmas and is not going back  till September (to a different school, in an autism-specific unit, hurrah!). He is supposed to be doing voluntary work in between but the only way we can get him to go to it is to pay him for going!

    He is spending all day on the PC or the Wii, and then reporting a lot of headaches. We got his eyes tested but he does not need glasses. The CAMHS doctor has written him a timetable in which he goes to a voluntary job each day and doesn't touch anything electronic till 4.00 pm, but he just ignores it, and as I am at home but generally working (as a freelance writer) I don't get round to stopping him. He doesn't get dressed at all some days. I know I have to start implementing the timetable but it is so difficult, especially with a grouchy teenager.

    PS Just wanted to add that he has joined a group that goes to a games workshop at a game playing centre and shop every Saturday, and this does provide some social interaction in the context of computer games, although most of the children there are younger than him.

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