I GIVE IN TO 10-YEAR-OLD’S SCREEN RAGE

Dear Coleen

This may not seem an unusual problem these days, but my 10-year-old daughter is obsessed by online games and Youtube.

The thing is, her behaviour really changes when she’s playing these games.

She gets angry and frustrated and if my husband and I stop her from playing, she goes into rages and our lives are hell, which means we often give in to her, which I know is wrong.

It’s like she’s developed this Jekyll and Hyde personality – when she has a period away from the screen she’s back to her normal, calm self, but when she’s playing or been told she can’t play, she gets so angry.

What can we do?

I think this is a huge problem for lots of parents, so rest assured you’re not alone.

First of all – and I know this is hard – you mustn’t give in when you’ve told her she can’t play.

You and your husband have to be the ones in control, so start by having passwords for the games (and the computer) that she doesn’t know, so you log her in and out.

Set time limits on the game and maybe use sessions as rewards for other things, and only let her play on a Friday after school and at the weekend. You could also play with her.

It’s also important to plan other more physical activities and games, which should be easier now we’re heading into summer and she can get outside more.

I think lots of kids relied on screens during lockdown to keep in touch with friends, plus there was all the home schooling, too.

Now she is able engage more with her friends in person, it should be easier to wean her off the screen. Good luck.