9 year old wants a gaming PC - am I crazy for considering it?

Aug 1·1 min read

So my son has been asking for a gaming PC for like 6 months now. All his friends have one apparently. He's pretty responsible with his current devices and gets decent grades. I'm thinking about getting him a mid-range one for his birthday but I'm worried about screen time getting out of control. Wife thinks I'm nuts. Has anyone else done this? How do you manage it without becoming the bad guy who takes it away all the time?

3 comments177 views

Comments(3)

FFelix R.RegularAug 2

The 'all his friends have one' is rough to hear but it's usually not true. More like half his friend group maybe. I'd get it for birthday or Christmas so it feels like a real milestone, not just giving in to pressure.

DDaniel M.RegularAug 2

Not crazy at all, but I'd make it conditional. Gaming PC is awesome, but tie it to grades, chores, screen time limits, that kind of thing. Don't just hand it over because all his friends have one.

AAlex R.New DadAug 2

I was in your shoes last year. Here's what worked for us: got the PC but set up parental controls for gaming hours and spending. Also made him do a bunch of chores to 'earn' it over a few months. Takes the wind out of the 'all my friends have one' argument real quick.