What are some tricky ways to get my son off the computer?

Question

My son, age 17, is constantly on the computer. He has never been trouble and discipline has always been minimal with him but now it's gotten to the point where he is having almost nothing to do with outside life. His hours were cut at work (balanced things out in the past) and he has no desire to get a different job. I'm not too strict with him working his butt off - he'll have enough of that to do after graduation. But i want to get him off the computer for alittle while now and then. I know having dinner at the dinner table is something I will have to focus on more but what are other ideas?

Answer 1

Does he use the internet? If so you could block some of his sites. However his reaction will not be pretty. Sit down and tell him you're worried about his social life. He has to change his thoughts for action. Taking away the computer will just make him angry. Withdrawal symptoms...

Answer 2

set his homepage as infoslash.net

then he'd never want to go on again

Answer 3

get him into some activitys, or just tell him to get off his butt

Answer 4

unplug it!

Answer 5

You don't need tricks...You're the parent!  Set limits on computer use as the house rule for everyone, including yourself.  Set a timer and stick by it.  Use your time to do things together as a family and you just might find that your relationships are even stronger.

Here are a few ideas for family together time:  Have everyone write down some "dream" things that they would like to do or try...Based on everyone's differences, they will be very different but be willing to try something new together.

Also, your son is 17, does he have chores that he is responsible for?  If not, he should.  Is he involved in extra curricular activities at school?  Encourage him to get involved, especially in things that help others.  It will boost his esteem and maybe make him think about others more and less of himself.

Answer 6

basically just tell him you are tryin to cut back on bills, and if he wants the net, he has to pay for it.  That the usage is too high, and he needs to kick in on the bill.   tell him if he cant help off set the bill, he can pick up a few other chores OUTSIDE the house.  IE..cutting the grass, cleaning the rain gutters, weeding, cleaning the garage.  more than likely he'll back off the net for a bit, and find himself out and about with friends again.

Answer 7

Cut the internet off. He won't have much to do if he's normally surfing the web

Answer 8

He is 17, its far past the age for parenting tricks. He's almost an adult, ask him why he doesnt go out more often, and ask for a real answer not nagging... that will just put him off. You may find that like most teens, he is doing his socializing on the computer by playing interactive games of messaging. You can encourage him to go to the movies more often or offer to pay for something like karate lessons or some other activity.

Answer 9

have him to do chores around the house and do homework before he gets on,

Answer 10

Well if he's playing some kind of online game or something, like world Of warcraft, or Some other game, then it's probably just a phase. When I was 16, i went almost a year of pretty much the same thing, constant computer, and not wanting to do anything else unless I absolutely had to do so, and even then I complained about doing it. I grew out of it, and got bored, and I canceled my own WoW account, and I don't even care anymore. at his age just give him some time, and don't mess with him about it, and he'll grow out of it.

In some ways, it's a lot better that he's there rather than out getting into trouble, and getting tempted by drugs and other things like that (I know about all this first hand) Have a little faith in him, and wait it out a bit.

Answer 11

Try inviting him out for social activities, like go eat out, go for ice cream, see a movie, etc. Think of something fun he would like to do outside of the house.

Answer 12

Give him jobs to do around the house!Suggest him going out on a jog,helping a neighbor, with friends.