My parents think I am addicted to PlayStation/Gaming.

Hello. I am 13 years old and am a gamer judging by the fact that I'm on this website. My parents think I have a addiction. My grades are all A's and I do more than play games. I'm the typical guy. I read books I go outside with my friends, I play sports and blah blah. Today instead of getting home and playing games I watched a movie. ( the lord of the rings to be specific ) After getting done ( the argument with my parents starts here ) I turn off the light and fall down the stairs. Yup. I just fell down and hit the door. My mom yells at me. " Stop running down the stairs " which is false because I was walking and tripped. I said that I tripped and she said " Yeah right" and rolled her eyes. I go into my room and see my brother who is playing Madden. I say " Get off its my turn " Which as you know you know I got done watching a 3 hour movie so I expect my brother to be ready. My mom overhears me which I suppose she was eavesdropping because there is absolutely no way she could have heard me. She yells at me saying " You played it 10 hours straight! " All you do is play that thing " which are both false. I believe she thinks I play it all day. I don't mean to start a argument but when I hear something that's false I'll go to it. So now I'm upstairs typing this. What can I do? My Mom doesn't change her view on it. My dad can't change it. My brother is btw is my moms favorite because he has autism ( I'm not trying to be offensive ). I can't change her view on it. I can't set a schedule because all my friends are btw my brothers friends. So on Fridays my friends all get on and I can see me getting in an argument. Does anyone know anything? Video gaming is one of my hobbies and I'd hate to not be able to do something that I spend my own money on.

Listen to your parents, as hard as it is sometimes. They love you.

Try to negotiate with them if possible.

Your parents knows the best for you. It is better to listen to them. They probably know you better than you know yourself.

You can try talk them about the subject, but in the end, all they want is your benefit.

I disagree with the above comments. Parents can be irrational and clueless, even if they "want what's best for you". Unfortunately, there's not much you can do at your age and any sort of "rebellion" which can be reasonable arguments will probably just lead to more scolding and punishments. It can be a bummer growing up a gamer when most parents see the hobby as a waste of time. I say if it isn't impacting your school life, you shouldn't be bothered about how you choose to spend your free time. But I'm not parent, so until you're able to move out you might just have to put up with it or try to convince them that it's your main preferred hobby and that it isn't negatively impacting your life.

I dunno, you're not going to get much help on forums. People aren't usually nice to those who admit themselves to be under a certain age even though I'm sure many of those same people had similar experiences when they were younger.

The most you can really do is try to talk to your mother and explain how it's not impacting your life. Tell her that you're not always playing games, and you do other things. Just because she doesn't see you doesn't mean you're always just playing games.

But, ultimately, your mother is just trying to do what she thinks is best for you. I know back when I was in high school, I played a ton of video games. I mean, that's why I've had an account here since 2004. I used to be on these forums all night, but not anymore.

To see if youre addicted is easy.

Just do the following: stop playing games for a week. For full week, no games, not even on your phone, and not even watching gaming vids on youtube.

Now. The important bit:

How did you feel when you thought about spending a whole week without gaming?

Did you think: Oh, week without games? Easy.

Or did you think: Oh man, week without games, that's gonna be tough!

Or did you actually get physically sick when you thought about spending a week without games?

If the mere idea of a gameless week made you feel sick, then you are addicted to gaming. You do not even need the gameless week to prove it, the mere fact that you get sick just by thinking about not gaming, is proof enough.

On the other hand, if you did not get physically sick just now, then you are not addicted.

You're not gonna like this but don't rebel and cause a fuss because that'll just make things worse for you. You've got to somehow try to talk to your mom and make her understand things (but I don't see this happening) or you've got to tough through it and deal with this till you can be independent.

However, the best thing I feel you should do is to find ways to tip-toe around this particular problem. If you have a decent PC or a laptop, you can always try some of the older games (they still kick the asses of newer games) or, you can get a portable handheld like the 2DS/3DS; it has got a ton of good games that you might enjoy. Even something like the PSP can give you hours of portable fun.

If you want any recommendations for the games on those systems, just ask :)

Listen to yer parents they brought you up into this world and show them that your not on yer console 24/7 and I'm sure they'll come round lol they're just looking out for you.

I can assure you that parental love isn't an assured thing.

I had a computer addiction from 6th grade till kind of currently (24)

I turned out pretty well I think and I genuinely had an addiction.

No you don't have an addiction, just make sure you think about your future now. I wish I started acting years before I did and I'm going into an acting career now.

But yeah, as someone who had an internet/computer addiction, yeah you're fine. You are from a different generation from your mom, video games are a genuine hobby, anything too much is bad but at your age, if you are healthy and able to do well in school, you don't have any problem at all. But yeah, think about your future, not "what job I want to do" and "what is my dream job?" and put some time towards that and you'll be happy in the long run. But that's just extra, you're fine with what you have.

Oh and play better games than madden.

you should have said your autistic brother pushed you down the stairs, then he gets console privileges revoked and you become the golden boy in the family who can game whenever he wants.

there's an important life lesson to learn here - when you're growing up it's drilled into you the importance of being honest and virtuous but in the adult world the irony is the opposite is true and the most successful are the dishonest, the manipulative, the devious and the compassion-less. thank me in 20 years

You make the case that you are not addicted by pointing to the other ways you entertain yourself. But what do you do around the house to help out your parents? Do you do the dishes? Take out the trash? Cut the grass? Help clean house?

You may already be doing things to help out and contribute. But if not, my advice is for you to start. It will help your parents have confidence in your judgement and maturity if they see you giving up your free time to do chores that benefit everyone, not just yourself.

Notice here that I am assuming you are at least cleaning up after your own ass. You know, picking up after yourself, putting your dirty dishes in the dishwasher, making your bed every day, picking up your dirty laundry, not leaving your clutter and crap laying around the house for your mom to pick up, etc etc etc etc. At 13 years old, if you are not at least picking up after yourself, then you have no reason to expect to be treated better than a spoiled, dependent little brat.

Above all else, show respect, even if you feel they don't deserve it.

Good luck.

Make a weekly time table and fill it up with what you do at any given time. It may be useful to you and your mom.

I joined just to make this post...

First off. I'm old, like 46. I'm so old, I remember when the internet was black and white and text! (But in reality, it was either black and green or black and orange, depending on whether you were on a VAX or MVS system in college, because at that time, 95% of the US was NOT ONLINE.) I played D&D back when it was considered akin to selling your soul to Satan. I can cuss like a sailor, (US Navy veteran), and drink like a frat boy (or sailor). I got engaged at 20 and I dropped out of college at 22. And got married at 23.

I've owned a lot of consoles over the years.

• Atari 2600
• NES
• SNES
• Turbo Graphix 16
• Sega Genesis
• Sony Playstation
• Wii
• Xbox
• Xbox 360
• PS3
• Xbox One
• PS4

(That doesn't even cover the handhelds or gaming PC's!)

I've been married for 23 years. I fix my own cars, I build my on PC's, I repair most things around my house. I did go back to school, after the Navy and got my degree. (Study hard, stay in school, it's never easier than right now!) I make good (GOOD) money and have for the past 20 years or so; all based on the skills I learned working with PC's in college and electronics in the Navy.

I also have 5 kids, (ages 6, 17, 19, 20 & 22). All of them game to some degree or another. I routinely game with the middle three (COD and Destiny mostly).

• The 22yo graduates college in May with a 3.8+ GPA.
• The 20yo works 2 jobs and is planning to join the police force once she's 21.
• The 19yo is in the Army.
• The 17yo is graduating high school a year early, works 3 jobs, is taking a year off to finish her 1st and 2nd books (she's writing them in parallel) and is looking at colleges.
• The 6yo is 6 man, what are you expecting? ;-)

So here's my advice to you.

1. Keep your grades up. (Shows dedication.)
2. Do you schoolwork as soon as you get home. (Ditto)
3. Don't complain to your parents. (Shows maturity.)
4. Volunteer to help out, do the dishes, take out the trash, rake the yard or cut the grass. (Shows maturity and a strong work ethic.)
5. Get some outdoor time and/or exercise every day. (Shows that you are not foregoing your health and socialization skills.)
6. Help out with your brother if / as needed. (Shows compassion.)
7. Go to bed at a decent hour. (Shows dedication, maturity and a concern for your health.)

If there's time to game between number 6 and 7, then (and only then) ask your parents. Don't be afraid to argue with them, but use logic and be respectful. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument)

Accept that life isn't always fun (and once you become an adult, you'll find that it often, isn't fun). Feel free to show your parents this reply and to PM me if you/they want.

Find something they are addicted to and call them on it.

I remember this period in my life. Parents...

Hey there. I am basically your age. Im fourteen years old girl and I am a gamer. The best thing to do to is to show your parents that you are not addicted to gaming. Try to find a way that you can spend time with them for example a board game e.t.c just to convince them that you are a mature and responsible kid so I kind of have a schedule.. I play two hours of PC (roblox and sometimes hearthstone) everyday and on Sundays play the PS4 (Uncharted 4), occasionally playing the PS3(tomb raider and minecraft) so yeah.

So as long as your just keeping up with your studying your fine. If games aren't taking over your life(which I am sure you can figure out when you choose it over your priorities, believe me I have done this many times, I learn from it) your fine! It is just family life I suppose. Don't let it bug you that much

Besides video games are good for you. Find some facts about that and show your parents. It helps with your problem solving and cognitive skills.

it's true your parents do love you. show them you may be a gamer but that you don't play it as often as she may think you do. it also could be that when your mom goes looking for at times you are playing and to hear it just feels like is all you do. i've loved video games since i was a kid as well. anyways you are only 46 that's not old but i do get what you mean. listen to him that's great advice. you will always argue with your parents about various things, some of them can be pretty stupid but not all of them no matter your age. i remember thinking like this once as well. it's funny kids want to grow up and do what they want. but the sad thing is once you are an adult

you yeah can do certain things that get you out of the house. but you end up being more responsible for things than you were as a kid. and even if you don't end up having kids one day. being an adult at times can suck big time but i remember thinking that being a kid sucking too. Go Padge that's great advice i hope you post more often on here. i'm 38 so i remember those days too, i have and still do my NES,SNES, N64, Gamecube, Gameboy i've had it since (1991) gameboy SP, DS,3DS, Wii, PS1,PS2, PS3,PS4, Vita. and 360 the pro edition from (2007) i bought it used last year for only $50 bucks. anyways

you aren't always going to get along with your parents and weather you are 13 or 33 you will at times fight with them. sometimes it's because they are wrong, and sometimes it's cause you are wrong. and try and understand that regardless who your mom's favorite son is, my niece has Autism i call it the lighter kind cause you can at least talk with her and have a conversation. she's a bit younger than you she's just turned 10 last month in fact. also by the way you spoke to your brother on what you said she also could have been annoyed at that. since he's handicapped i mean, my niece is a pretty smart girl actually she's just different that's all,

like your brother is. and listen to Go Padge's advice and who knows you may have it a bit easier with your mom. there's nothing wrong in venting about them on here, just don't post any of this on face book or anything like that for your mom to see cause you than will get into a LOT of trouble and for good reason as well anyways i hope life gets easier for you and i hope you take our advice as well

I think you talk with your parents about this and I am sure they will understand you easily, I think you are not an addict of game after knowing all the things which you have shared here. If you are addicted then you can't leave without playing the game so you can talk to your parents that you are a game lover not an addict.

Let your grades slip and say it's because you can't play games like you used to and they'll continue to slip until you can play games as long as you desire again. I mean if you're getting straight A's, then they need to learn some common sense regarding your free time outside of school work......that'll teach em.

Hell yeah.

Start doing something illegal.

It's this or I play video games. :P

Yeah, that would never work with my parents. Tried that and a million other things. Unless OP's parents are nitwits, it ain't gonna cut much ground.

any good parent isn't going to let their kids get bad grades on purpose. he'd have his system taken away from him in a heartbeat. though i'm older than him by a number of years even i can predict what my folks would do if i tried doing that. hell i wasn't the best student in school at all, though i did try my best and they knew that too. they also did try and get my mind on school and doing homework even though i always put it off at the last minute cause i hated doing it. as most kids do of course,

they did do their best on trying to get me to do my homework before i watched tv, read a book, went outside etc.. and there were times when i did listen to them but it wasn't every week or day that i would. no doubt if i was a father and my kids were getting great grades in school and i thought the same thing, and they did get bad grades on purpose to try and teach me a lesson i'd punish them for that because there's so many different ways you can tell your parents how you aren't addicted to games. in short telling him to get bad grades on purpose is a horrible idea because that will backfire on the kid right off the bat. i wonder if any of this did help him at all though ?

Listen Video games are not your world, I should know, My parents said they sold my console and then a month later I got it back, they are teaching you a lesson that when you are older you will understand

Just tell her "Ok mom, I think I'll start hanging out with some crack smoking Satan worshippers instead of playing PS4 all the time."

@halobro678: Everyone has their addictions, but if you do feel yourself playing more than you probrably should. It could become extremely unhealthy for your mental. It is only a major boost to your mental performance when you play it in moderation. Specifically RPG strategy or FPS games. Really good for you.

Videogames seems like they aren't healthy for you if stuff like that is happening. Atleast take a break.

heres the thing it doesnt sound like your addicted but video game addiction can happen ive read reports where people have played games non stop and died due to various health reasons i think that as long as you recognize signs that your addicted to something as long as it remains just a hobby but playing for say 10 hours a day is abit too much for a console it will "burn" out i.e become overheated ect ect keep it down to at least a hour or 2 at most to prolong the life of the console

When can this thread die like it deserves?

Assuming that you're telling the truth about this whole scenario, you seem to be doing alright. I would suggest getting a daily planner and writing down everything you do (gaming, sports, studying, movies, etc). Prove to her that life is balanced, and that your priorities are not solely based around gaming. Then have a true heart to heart conversation with about how you feel. If she remains irrational after all of that...you're SOL.

And remember that parents are just people. Respect what they have and will do for you, but know that they are just as capable to be flawed as anyone else. Good luck little dude.

@halobro678: good thing you're not addicted to drugs or mass murdering!!!!!!

Thank you for bushing this 2 days old thread with such a valuable reply.

Hey I am fourteen and I know how you feel! Perhaps they feel that way because they are actually scared that you are going to become addicted and your grades may go down so they are become more aware earlier to make sure this is not the case. What you should do is talk to them about how video games are simply a hobby and will not interfere in your academic subjects. You are mature and capable enough to explain that to them.

Prove that you are responsible in some manner.

I feel you, my parents think the same and I am in a situation similar to yours. They think my Xbox is my life and they got sucked into that whole "the television turns your brain into mush" urban legend.

tbf you have just bumped a thread that hasn't been touched for six months just to post that. maybe there's a bit of truth to that urban legend

@Macutchi: Hmm, I don't know, I mean, I do get a headache after like, 5 hours non-stop. Other than that, I feel fine. Computers are a different case though.

I feel your pain. I get pretty good grades, some are top of the class. I try to be very nice to my parents but sometimes in gaming, they get upset at me. "You've been playing Minecraft for so long. If you don't study, you'll be picking up bottles and going to the bottle drive!"

I know this isn't true because I'm a good student, so I don't really care when they say that.

To fix your problem:

1. Did you pay for the games/PlayStation? If you did you kinda own it, think about that for a second. If you bought your own phone, your parents can't really take it away because you own it.

2. Tell them that.

3. Ask why your brother gets to play the video games and you don't.

4. Listen to your parents if they deny. Find another game that you could play on your laptop or phone. Find other friends who are on the game 24/7 like you want to be.

If you love your Playstation, you gotta let her go.