I have an addict under my roof !

[AMMO Kid]

I am not much of gamer. I come on here to read the articles, really. I am however the mother of a 12 year old gamer, who has lost his mind to World of Warcraft. I have had to block all access to WoW because He had been acting like a true addict.
He plays all night. He sneaks up in the middle of the night to play. When I take the game and his computer away this normally well behaved child turns into a crazed idiot willing to fight me for his computer and the ability to play it.
So as it stands he cannot play and he is mourning the loss of his online friends. Is this a common experience?

Just find him a new hobby to replace WoW. Don't let him know you are trying to do that, just buy him an airsoft gun or get him guitar lessons. And for a 12 year old boy it is definitely normal to have that kind of reaction when you take WoW away

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

For parents, exposing your child to something like WoW is somewhat of a danger already because you're taking something as simple as a video game and throwing them out into an entire world, not just a game to play and finish within a week or so.

I believe it is absolutely important for the parent to set a bunch of guidelines before allowing your child to play this massive game. Based on your description, it sounded more like he was in control of how and when he played it before he even got to this point. Taking control away from a kid without having a massive episode is damn near impossible.

The best thing you could have done is limit his play time based upon his life outside of WoW. Restrict him to an hour a day, or maybe two if you're feeling generous. The most important limitation is tying his grades to how much he plays WoW. If his addiction is that bad, you might actually be able to get an A student out of him by threatening to take the game away from him. Or, maybe you should make it sound more like a reward. By getting good grades in class, he gets to play more WoW. Every A he brings home grants him another hour of WoW. I'll let you decide on the time, but it's really important to instill these kind of guidelines in order to keep in control of your child's life.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

Honestly, he's 12. Don't be afraid to be a parent and take the game away for his own good. He'll get over it. And get him playing a sport or something. He's 12 for God's sake.

 

[Mr Montmorency]

Of course it's very common... and sometimes violent...

He sounds like a balloon deflating.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Maybe let him play once in awhile? Once a week, etc.

 

[bellstar]

I think what you did was the right choice. If you tell him he can only play on weekends or a few days he wont be able to remain competitive when playing online, and you can't limit daily hours either for the same reason because if he has to turn the PC off in the middle of a raid, you've just screwed everyone else playing that game by removing a crucial team member (I stopped playing about three years ago). So yea, I think just making him stop altogether makes sense. I agree too with what others said on here, he needs something else to replace that time with. What else does he like to do or show an interest in?

This is exactly the reason why I don't like World of Warcraft and other similar online games besides the monthly fees. At least with a regular console game you can save it and get back to it whenever.

I also have a son that is almost 12 years old and he has been playing World of Warcraft for almost two years now. He does do other things like play outside with his friends, piano lessons, karate lessons, plays other video games and builds with legos and heroscape sets. But when it comes to World of Worldcraft it can get annoying when he plays too much or asks too many times to play but it's not overboard like the original poster of this thread is going through. My son will accept more boundaries and since school has just started those time limits are being enforced.

 

[Computer-Noob]

Of course it's very common... and sometimes violent...

I....i dont....wow. Just wow.


If you're going to take away his computer, he will probably need to have some other form of entertainment. The thing about most MMOs is that they are intended to be the only game you play, or at least, one of the only games. If you were to have a console system, you would probably spend the same amount of time with about 4 or 5 games as you would with WoW.

If he's reacting so violently after having it taken away, by no means should you give it back any time soon. Should make him get over it, in my opinion.

 

[Mcface]

Of course it's very common... and sometimes violent...

I love those vids

OT: He needs a new hobby, you might try to find a youth group for him so he can meet real friends.

heh they actually admitted on a TV show their videos are fake.. they've made so much money off them though..

 

[johnsom]

I could be an opportunity for him to learn self control.

 

[Palademon]

I would mourn the loss of my online friends if I had no access to them. Because they actually mean alot to me, as it's easier to find relatable people through a hobby that has a community. You don't get results form jsut tkaing things away. Leave him to it, but set a restriction for time. Even though he sneaks up jsut try to find a better way than taking it.

 

[Vrach]

I am not much of gamer. I come on here to read the articles, really. I am however the mother of a 12 year old gamer, who has lost his mind to World of Warcraft. I have had to block all access to WoW because He had been acting like a true addict.
He plays all night. He sneaks up in the middle of the night to play. When I take the game and his computer away this normally well behaved child turns into a crazed idiot willing to fight me for his computer and the ability to play it.
So as it stands he cannot play and he is mourning the loss of his online friends. Is this a common experience?

Ok first off, don't just restrict his access to gaming, you're doing more bad than good, trust me, I have first hand experience on the matter. Try to develop a trust relationship with him and let him know it works both ways. Work out a deal where he can play during the day at certain times, but give him stuff to do.

Make very sure that he has friends outside the game and is hanging out with them, if he misses his online friends it means he probably hangs out less with the ones in real life. Does he express interest in anything else? Sport, instrument, anything like that? If he does support it as much as you can, especially in case of sports as it promotes socializing.

If you need a first step of transition, I'd recommend a LAN party. If his friends have computers and it wouldn't be too much work getting them to one place (depends on your neighborhood and his friends/their parents), bring the PCs to one place. If you parents are driving the PCs, just sit down for some coffee and chat for a few hours. It'll let him (or rather them) game, but it's still a social event and he might feel encouraged to take it outside from there on. If it's too much bother carrying PCs over, just send them to an internet cafe (but make sure he's not just going there to play WoW on his own).

He's your kid, so you'll know him to a point. But don't just dominate, it'll get you nowhere, talk to him and figure out something that works for both of you. Remember, your job is not to impose a lifestyle on him, it's just to point him in the right direction.

 

[lacktheknack]

Being oppressive does not help. If you want him to not do something, have something else for him to do. I dont mean chores either, but fun things. I spend most of my time gaming. Id spend less time gaming though if I could hang out with friends more, for example.

I do NOT believe I am be oppressive! I am providing as much for him to do as possible! I have been encouraging him to spend time with friends and do the other things he love to do!
He has fun when we are out doing things and goes right back to harassing me to let him play the minute we get home.
I don't mind him playing; not at all. I just want him to keep it in balance and show me some better behavior first!

Good on you. You're doing it right.

Your kid, however, isn't. This may turn into a war of attrition, please don't lose. He needs to understand that you're his MOTHER, and he HAS to do what you want him to. After he's stopped badgering, let back on, with a warning... if he overdoes it, off he comes. Repeat until it's drilled into his head.

EDIT: An alternative is to ration. Give him a certain amount of time a day, but be adamant about the deadline. He gets two minutes grace to quit, then you hide the power cord until the next day.

 

[LordWarBlade]

I am not much of gamer. I come on here to read the articles, really. I am however the mother of a 12 year old gamer, who has lost his mind to World of Warcraft. I have had to block all access to WoW because He had been acting like a true addict.
He plays all night. He sneaks up in the middle of the night to play. When I take the game and his computer away this normally well behaved child turns into a crazed idiot willing to fight me for his computer and the ability to play it.
So as it stands he cannot play and he is mourning the loss of his online friends. Is this a common experience?

Ok first off, don't just restrict his access to gaming, you're doing more bad than good, trust me, I have first hand experience on the matter. Try to develop a trust relationship with him and let him know it works both ways. Work out a deal where he can play during the day at certain times, but give him stuff to do.

Make very sure that he has friends outside the game and is hanging out with them, if he misses his online friends it means he probably hangs out less with the ones in real life. Does he express interest in anything else? Sport, instrument, anything like that? If he does support it as much as you can, especially in case of sports as it promotes socializing.

If you need a first step of transition, I'd recommend a LAN party. If his friends have computers and it wouldn't be too much work getting them to one place (depends on your neighborhood and his friends/their parents), bring the PCs to one place. If you parents are driving the PCs, just sit down for some coffee and chat for a few hours. It'll let him (or rather them) game, but it's still a social event and he might feel encouraged to take it outside from there on. If it's too much bother carrying PCs over, just send them to an internet cafe (but make sure he's not just going there to play WoW on his own).

He's your kid, so you'll know him to a point. But don't just dominate, it'll get you nowhere, talk to him and figure out something that works for both of you. Remember, your job is not to impose a lifestyle on him, it's just to point him in the right direction.

this guy is 100% right if i where you i would do what he says.
And also how was your son before WoW?
was he with his friends more or is it the same coz some people are just not Social by nature.
if thats the case then i have very good experience with that and i may be able too help.

 

[direkiller]

I am not much of gamer. I come on here to read the articles, really. I am however the mother of a 12 year old gamer, who has lost his mind to World of Warcraft. I have had to block all access to WoW because He had been acting like a true addict.
He plays all night. He sneaks up in the middle of the night to play. When I take the game and his computer away this normally well behaved child turns into a crazed idiot willing to fight me for his computer and the ability to play it.
So as it stands he cannot play and he is mourning the loss of his online friends. Is this a common experience?

http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&tag=PCFAQ

sorry if you got link alredy from some outer user. You can stop his wow account from working in the middle of the night and set appropriate times for him to play.

its probably bad to out right stop him from playing it but try to take it down to just a hobby(rather then an all day addition). He put time into that account, although it dosen't mean anything in real life it means something to him and you just took away something he worked hard on. In his eyes you don't understand him and it will ultimately undermine any heather hobbys you try to push him into, not because he dosen't find them fun but because you approve of this over his choice in pastime.

 

[Isolda Sage]

I am not much of gamer. I come on here to read the articles, really. I am however the mother of a 12 year old gamer, who has lost his mind to World of Warcraft. I have had to block all access to WoW because He had been acting like a true addict.
He plays all night. He sneaks up in the middle of the night to play. When I take the game and his computer away this normally well behaved child turns into a crazed idiot willing to fight me for his computer and the ability to play it.
So as it stands he cannot play and he is mourning the loss of his online friends. Is this a common experience?

Ok first off, don't just restrict his access to gaming, you're doing more bad than good, trust me, I have first hand experience on the matter. Try to develop a trust relationship with him and let him know it works both ways. Work out a deal where he can play during the day at certain times, but give him stuff to do.

Make very sure that he has friends outside the game and is hanging out with them, if he misses his online friends it means he probably hangs out less with the ones in real life. Does he express interest in anything else? Sport, instrument, anything like that? If he does support it as much as you can, especially in case of sports as it promotes socializing.

If you need a first step of transition, I'd recommend a LAN party. If his friends have computers and it wouldn't be too much work getting them to one place (depends on your neighborhood and his friends/their parents), bring the PCs to one place. If you parents are driving the PCs, just sit down for some coffee and chat for a few hours. It'll let him (or rather them) game, but it's still a social event and he might feel encouraged to take it outside from there on. If it's too much bother carrying PCs over, just send them to an internet cafe (but make sure he's not just going there to play WoW on his own).

He's your kid, so you'll know him to a point. But don't just dominate, it'll get you nowhere, talk to him and figure out something that works for both of you. Remember, your job is not to impose a lifestyle on him, it's just to point him in the right direction.

this guy is 100% right if i where you i would do what he says.
And also how was your son before WoW?
was he with his friends more or is it the same coz some people are just not Social by nature.
if thats the case then i have very good experience with that and i may be able too help.

Vrach~thanks this is good advice.
LordWarBlade~Before playing WoW he was a very "outdoorsy" kind of kid. He likes to hike, camp, and do just about any thing that would result in him coming home covered in mud.
He was with his friends more, BUT he is very selective about his friends. He has a very low tolerance for bs and most average clickish kids tend to get on his nerves.

 

[Danik93]

Use WoW's parental control. With that your kid can only use WoW at the times you set. If he plays over that time he will be disconnected and if he tries to log in before/after the time has passed he can't log in. and if he get's angry play some Cornershop they play so relaxing music...

 

[Joseph Murnan]

There is no such thing as gaming addiction.

If you had a disease, would your doctor prescribe drugs to deal with the symptoms or drugs that would deal with the root of the disease? If you answered yes to the former question, you really need a new doctor.