Kids want to go on adventures, plain and simple.
In controlled suburbia kids cannot find adventures outside (The great plains of cut grass!) and there with INEVITABLE look elsewhere for adventure. Video games provide this adventure.
If you want your kids to enjoy the world, go on adventures with them!
When I was little my adventure was in the national park behind my house. I lived my youth in the hills and build a huge fort there. I went on night hikes with my parents friends in the park and learnt photography on (illegal) off-trail hikes.
I think it is funny when people say "impose limits on the amount of time they spend on computers/video games". This the absolute wrong approach. If you want them to get away from technology, find something ACTUALLY FUN for them to do.
Build a boat with them and try to sail accoss a local lake I did this a keel learnt a valuable life lesson about what keels do (I forgot to add one). In the end the boat crash and sank, but it was an adventure!
Go for a day long hike, not an aimless hike, but to the top of a mountain or something with a goal. Don't guide them, but let them guide you to the top.
Take a note from nature, the lion mom lets the cubs explore, make mistakes, and learn. It is only when the kids are in REAL TROUBLE do the parents take over.
The bottom line is that kids LOVE missions/expeditions/adventures and they want to do whatever lets them have them, whether that is sailing in a homemade boat (great fun), launching rockets, or XBOX.
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Kids want to go on adventures, plain and simple. In controlled suburbia kids cannot find adventures outside (The great plains of cut grass!) and there with INEVITABLE look elsewhere for adventure. Video games provide this adventure. If you want your kids to enjoy the world, go on adventures with them! When I was little my adventure was in the national park behind my house. I lived my youth in the hills and build a huge fort there. I went on night hikes with my parents friends in the park and learnt photography on (illegal) off-trail hikes. I think it is funny when people say "impose limits on the amount of time they spend on computers/video games". This the absolute wrong approach. If you want them to get away from technology, find something ACTUALLY FUN for them to do. Build a boat with them and try to sail accoss a local lake I did this a keel learnt a valuable life lesson about what keels do (I forgot to add one). In the end the boat crash and sank, but it was an adventure! Go for a day long hike, not an aimless hike, but to the top of a mountain or something with a goal. Don't guide them, but let them guide you to the top. Take a note from nature, the lion mom lets the cubs explore, make mistakes, and learn. It is only when the kids are in REAL TROUBLE do the parents take over. The bottom line is that kids LOVE missions/expeditions/adventures and they want to do whatever lets them have them, whether that is sailing in a homemade boat (great fun), launching rockets, or XBOX.