Hi - it seems to me that in this day and age our children are not creating and learning new things. The are also not in great communication. I was very strict with my children and only let them watch TV or play video games rarely.

Depends on their age and how much you allow them to play.

i don't think i would allow this. during the years with kids in the house, we kept tv viewing and computers to discreet areas not in bedrooms. though there was a bunch of howls ("all my friends have one in their bedroom!") i, too, am glad i did this. kids in thirties say they have many more memories and learned skills that would have suffered if they had had the tech in their rooms. they are very computer and tech savvy today so i don't see a down side. of course, as my mother told me, this had an effect on us as it was difficult to have time without kids up close and personal.

Bedroom is a personal space, even if it seems like it will always be messy, it should be a place that at least has the potential for being a peaceful, calming, centering personal refuge, for sleeping, reading, creating.

We required all computer and gaming use to be in a common area where we had some control over it, and where anything we deemed inappropriate or at a more mature level could be observed and changes made. With our older kids, the computer and gaming systems were all we had to worry about. With our youngest, we also had to set limits on his phone use, even before the advent of smart phones. He used his phone as an alarm clock so we gave him a chance to let his friends know that Dad was keeping track of the timing of texts and calls and that he would lose his phone if they continued to text him into the wee hours of the morning. He was on his HS swim team and, with practice every weekday morning at 5:30, getting a text even as early as 10 or 11 pm was unacceptable. With today's kids having access on their phones to just about everything out there, the potential for abuse is higher than ever. If we still had kids at home, I think we'd make sure they each had an old fashioned alarm clock and have them put their phones and any other devices that can go online to bed under our control before heading to bed themselves. They could still sneak a book and flashlight into bed like I did when I was a child but there wouldn't be any late night messages sent or received from potentially problem friends or strangers.

My husband and I don't have kids and don't plan to have kids. But we frequently have "what would you do if we had kids and..." conversations and this has been a topic. My take is that it depends on the kid. If they keep their grades up and still get physical activity, I wouldn't have a problem with them having a computer, tv, video games, whatever gadgets exist in the future in their room. Like any hobby or past time, it comes down to your kid's ability to balance their priorities. If it's negatively impacting their grades or their sociability or health, then I think restrictions are in order. But if I had kids, I would allow as much freedom as they can handle.

At the very least I would advise moving the games out of the bedroom and into a common area in the house where the kids are more likely to take part in family conversations and activities. After we moved the games downstairs our kids were surprised at all the activities that actually went on in our house. They gradually became more talkative and more open with us. We also learned a lot about visiting kids when they are talking over games.

With my boys, TV and video game free bedrooms when they were babies to school age. Just books and music. Once they were teenagers they could have TV and video games hooked up in their bedrooms. Computer always in common area so we could keep a better eye on who they were communicating with. Mostly they just did homework on it.

Sorry, read some other comments and had to add. My boys are adults now. Today they build their own computers, hook them up to huge widescreens and play video and computer games with people all over the world. My youngest son bought me a new graphics card for my computer and installed it. My boys are great tech resources for me. They help me find the most useful upgrades for a decent price, and they fix my computer problems for free. First week of my youngest son's job, he fixed communication errors between surveillance cameras and the company's computer system. He just started a second job with a steel company, and first day set up his computer, still boxed up, while he was waiting for someone to come and start his training. Seems what use to be play has become a useful job skill, a means of communicating and networking across cultures, and a nice little perk for old Mom.

Regardless of where my nephews play video games, they beat me soundly and within five minutes of the start of the game.

Playing video games is one thing, but playing it in their bedroom is another. It's best if they play where you can keep an eye on them, so you can limit how much time they spend playing.

Our boys do not have a t.v., a computer or video games in their rooms. While they have never been real into video games, they do play now & then down stairs in the familyroom, same with their computers. That way we know how much time they are spending on them. But mostly they were out riding their bikes, riding their horses, snow machines & when they were younger, they had the best imaginations & they always wanted to be outside. No kid needs to spend more time inside than out.......

As for cell phones, they are off when they walk in the back door. After chores & homework they are allowed to check texts answer as needed but @ 8 p.m. they are off & stay off until they are out the door the next morning. They also know that if I ever hear about them texting in class or going to sites they know better than to be on the phone is gone! No second chances, the phones are a privilege & if that privilege is abused, they lose it. They know that we need to trust them at their word & they have known since they were toddlers that their dad & I keep ours.

AT AGE 8I FEEL SO VERY SORRY FOR ANY CHILD THAT IS HOOKED ON ELECTRONICS OF ANY KIND. PLAYING OUTSIDE WAS SOOO MUCH FUN AND SUCH A HEALTHY THING TO DO AS WELL AS LEARNING ABOUT COMMUNICATION COMPASSION, AND RESPECT IN ANY GAME THERE IS ONLY ONE WINNER SO THE REST HAD TO LEARN HOW TO BE GREAT, KIND LOSERS , DOES ANY CHILD PLAY JACKS, JUMP ROPE, HIDE SEEK, RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT, SIMON SAYS, KICK THE CAN, RED ROVR RED ROVER, MARBLES OR PLAY ON JUNGLE JIMS SIT IN SWINGS SEE SAW, SLIDES?? HUGS

My husband and I really enjoy(ed) video games before we had children. Now that our boys are getting a little older, it's something we share and enjoy as a family... in a common area. Video games, like any other pastime can be a positive outlet or a negative distraction. It's about establishing balance and mindful vs. mindless consumption.

Our kids play outside, read, draw, put together puzzles and enjoy a little gaming or tv (with their nerdy parents).

Limiting the amount of video game time is important, so having them in a room where you can keep an eye amount of time is best. I don't like TVs in any bedroom, so that is another reason to have this happen in a family room.

Most definately NOT untold drama can be caused as the parents have no idea who and what their children are able to get themselves into. I know I speak from a nasty experience----trust me it is far to easy for creeps

My kids have tablets that they are allowed to play in their bedrooms, but only after dinner when all chores and school work is done. It was a compromise that allows them to have some quiet time to themselves (and keeps them occupied while we do the same.) We don't have any televisions in our home, and keeping the screen time limited to an hour or two in the evening works for us. We've also found that the small tablet screens don't seem to have the same zombie-like holding power over them that larger television and computer screens might.

I think it depends upon the child, and the childs' age. If the child is playing the approved games, is following the parents rules for allowed time, getting good grades, spending time doing things outside, time with friends, not a zombie - then it's not a problem.

@ Eve Lyon your thoughts are very interesting and you make good points. Did you know that typing in all caps is the same as yelling? It is also more difficult to read so often people just don't read it at all. To make your writing more forceful without being rude you can use bold, italic, or place *stars* around important words and add emojis :) :( :-D to enhance your tone.

Hope I didn't offend. I was glad to learn this information myself so I wanted to pass it on :)

Sleep experts recommend no electronics in bedrooms for anyone of any age, as they emit signals even when powered down and create a distraction/draw that is hard to overcome in order to get a truly restful sleep.

Losing 8 hours/day of gaming time is not going to cause a technological disadvantage.

lindsey
Using all caps is the same as yelling, but for some people whose eye sight is not as good, it is easier for THEM to see what THEY are writing using bold text or not. It's not a law or a rule, it is just something people on the internet decided. Many sites do not have a bold text option so people get use to typing so that THEY can see it regardless of what the internet think is "proper" internet etiquette.

Seriously, I doubt Eve was yelling at anyone.

I doubt it too. I was just explaining something she may not have known, no criticism intended at all. At 81, Eve might not have a lot of experience with internet etiquette. All rules of etiquette are cultural, and every internet culture I know considers all caps to be yelling. When I'm travelling in a new culture, I hope people nicely point out my breaches of etiquette. I like to learn new things.

We don't play video games at All

II use my cell phone as my alarm clock, bad habit, i know. This morning at 3:45, an adult friend texted to thank me for a favor. So, its not just teens that may develop bad late nite habits w their phones

Doric8, that's why my cell phone sleeps in a different room than I do. Even when travelling and sleeping in a hotel I'll either turn the ringer off or leave the phone in the bathroom. Sleep is sacred to this insomniac.

So many kids and adults use video games, cell phones, televisions and social media as addicts nowadays. I watched shows on it and the average adult can't go 15 minutes without stimulating their brains on one of the above. People drive and text and play games instead of interacting with their children. I see it everywhere and those are the adults. With Kids it is worse.

If the video game is physical activity - meaning exercise, or if it is learning based, those might be the exceptions.

I Agree D.L.

I think that each family should have a time where they play in some games with their child. I watched shows on it and the average adult can't go 15 minutes without stimulating their brains on one of the above. People drive and text and play games instead of interacting with their children. I see it everywhere and those are the adults. With Kids it is worse.

Controlled environment with limited time and probably a little additional time on weekends or holidays - if there no family outings. Have a family game room where you can keep an eye on things.

I always had a TV in my room when I was a kid, and a computer with games, but as an adult, I don't. There are no TV's in the bedrooms. We will have a video game space in the basement for us and the kids to use but not in the bedrooms. There are multiple reasons for this. 1) I want the bedroom to be a relaxing space to sleep or a quiet space to focus on reading or homework. 2) Any gaming systems will be shared by the family so they will be in a shared family space for everyone to use.

I will let my kids have age-appropriate electronics in their rooms, such as phones or computers. I want them to have the resources to do their homework, and communicate safely using real-world, modern technology, so they are comfortable using it as they grow up in this modern world. Technology isn't all bad. Technology can be a valuable tool to stay organized, to stay connected with friends and family, and to learn. Kids need to learn how to utilize technology for its benefits but also practice self-control and know when to walk away from it. Kids can't learn how to use technology in a good way if they aren't given the opportunity to use it at all.

Joe, in my mind, the children's room is the least suitable place for video games, especially if you can't control the playing time. If you only have one TV and can't give up some of your viewing time for the kids to play their games, maybe you need to assess your own screen time. Or get yourself a new TV and put the old one in another area, not a bedroom, for the kids.

That's a thought-provoking question! When it comes to kids and video games, it's all about finding the right balance. Personally, I lean towards having the gaming system in my child's room. It can create a cozy haven where they can enjoy their favorite games without distractions. Plus, it gives them a sense of responsibility in managing their gaming time.

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