Parent/child rights?

Question

ok im a video game "nerd". i play games all day. i go out sometimes. however my mom complains about me not going out and says online games (even playing them with people i know in real life ) isnt the same as face to face.

im 15, if it makes any difference

i , myself , do NOT need to see someone face to face to be friends with them. i have made some in - game friends who i talk to frequently.

what i want to know, is do my parents have the right to take my computer away from me , forcing me to be bored and do stuff i dont like to do (sports, i hate sports ...)?

The computer was paid for by my own money i got form my dead fathers inheritance (hence my hate of sports, no one taught me and i dont like egotistic people, not that all jocks are). All of it paid for.

And im pretty sure there is NO law that says i HAVE to go outside / not play computer for a certain amount of hours.

im 15 if it makes a difference

Answer 1

mabey if you found an outdoors interest aswell u could have both

Answer 2

You should be grateful you have a Mum that cares enough to say NO to you. Being on the comp all the time is unhealthy and although you say you have made good friends on-line, your social skills probably suck. You need to get out and meet 'real' people otherwise you will never get by in the real world when it comes to leaving school and going to work. If you don't like sport then find another hobby, but it's worth while giving sports a go. My son hated sport, but he'd only done it at school. I took him to a club out side of school and he is now playing tournaments and absolutely loving it.

Answer 3

I don't think your parents should take away your computer if it was paid for with your own money.  Nor is playing video games all day the worst thing a young man could do.  Not everyone is athletic. You're entitled to your own interests.  Video game "nerds" have been known to develop into some very creative designers, artists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.  

Those are all the arguments in your favor.  Basically, I agree with you on this question.

But your mom has made a few good points.   Having friends online is not the same as interacting face to face.  The visual experience, body language, eye contact, being in a common place, all that is missing.  It's like only half of a real relationship.   And, "all day" (your phrase not mine) is a long time.  I'll bet you play at night too, right?  It's healthy to have a balance in life.  Do some work, get some easy exercise, go to the beach or mall with your friends, just get active and outdoors a little bit.

If I were your mom, I would try to negotiate some reasonable amount of time for you to be away from the games.  An hour or two a day to NOT play isn't that unreasonable - especially when you have homework, activities,  maybe a job, etc.  

Answer 4

Most kids don't feel like they want to do other things but once you do them you might find that you like them. My oldest are twins and are turning 14 next month and they love their video games but I set limits on it because it's really not healthy for them or you to play all day long. It's good to get out and get fresh air. If your mom wants you to do other things she should get more involved. That's what I do. I don't just kick my kids outside to play. I take them places like the beach or the park or to the skateboarding park. It's important to keep physically active as well.

Your mom just cares about your health and wants to make sure you try to keep an open mind about other activities that you could be missing out on and not even realize it. She is threatening to take these things away for fear that you are addicted. Your best bet would be to show your mom that you can set your own limits. Don't wait for her to tell you to get off. Take it upon yourself now and then to get off and go for a bike ride or read a book or whatever and I bet your mom would back off because she would feel better about it all.

EDIT: addictions are not just physical. There are people who are addicted to p**n. People who are addicted to gambling...these are emotional addictions, not physical.

Answer 5

It's really too bad. I mean, what if your mom is some stupid high school dropout. These laws are made assuming parents are right all the time. The fact is, your 15 and are way old enough to be making your own decisions. Nobody should be forced to do a sport. This is absolutely ridiculous and makes me sick thinking about how you just sit there and put up with it. Take control of your life. Are you stronger than her? If so, then there's no excuse why you can't simply say "no."

Then again, I don't know the whole story. If you are very unhealthy, have no friends or social status, play video games too much, fat, are a juvy or have complete behavior problems, etc, then I think your parents are right in trying to make you have a normal life. If any of this is true for god sakes turn off the games and get into life.

If not, then your a 15 your old, almost driving and can legally have s*x, and yet your letting someone have authority over you? It's one thing if your 8, but I mean you can't just live life like this, this is not how it is in the real world anyway.

Answer 6

You are under 18.  You have no rights.  Everything that you have belongs to your Mom.  If you earn an income, technically you are required to surrender it to your Mom on demand.  You have no assets of your own.

Having said that.  It sounds like your mom is looking after your best interests.  Be thankful that she does.  Just in reading some of the questions, it's very evident that there are many mothers who don't care what their kid does.

Answer 7

well if she takes your computer away just sit on your bed all day long and don't do anything if she says go outside don't just sit there staring at the wall and if she says are you ok don't do anything just sit there and she will get the idea that you are not her ***** and you don't have to respect her if she doesn't respect you

Answer 8

Having a computer or any game system is a privilege not a right. Your parents don't have to let you have one and yes they can take it away from you whenever they want.  It doesn't matter if you bought the computer or not they pay the electric bill and probably the internet as well.  Legally they can't sell it but they can as your parents take away your PRIVELEDGE to use it.  

Answer 9

moms are all such b*****s i feel you man

Answer 10

go outside

it's unhealthy to stay glued to a screen 24/7 you need exercise and sunlight you will become fat and pimply

you don't need to do sports: skateboard, rollerblade it's fun and solitary

run/walk to a comic store or gaming venue with ppl there like you

Answer 11

your mom is just worried about you. Computer games can be very addicting..

and you do need to talk to REAL people face to face, she probably wants you to develop healthy relationships with others you can hang out with..go to the movies with.stuff like that

as parents we have to be the bad guy sometimes..she is not doing it to be mean..she probably wants you to have other hobbies...