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We have a fairly new rule in our house – kiddos are not allowed to play any video games during the school week. This change was not met with the open arms of my 10-year-old son, who already felt like I over-managed his screen time. The new rule did not win me any brownie points and he certainly didn’t nominate me for any cool mom awards. However, when I see his improved attention span and watch him devour book after book, I feel like nominating myself.
Interestingly, a book dealing with screen time landed on my lap around the time that our rule was implemented. Since my once video game addicted son was deep into the Percy Jackson series when it arrived, my daughter picked it up and has been excited to share her thoughts about the book. This is what 9-year-old Posy had to say:
Book: Danny In A Newfangled World, by D.M. Bileski
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What is this book about?
Danny is a boy who loves his computer and video games. One day, he clicks on a little box on the screen and he gets sucked into the computer. He has a giant adventure. He meets friends, makes an enemy, plays some games and learns an important lesson.
What are your impressions of the book?
It was awesome. I read five chapters the first day, one chapter the second day and on the third day, I finished the whole thing!
What did you like about the book?
When Danny was in the video games himself, it was really fun and exciting to read – there were so many adventures! I like that, in the end, Danny was thinking about other things and people – not just video games. It was a really cool idea to write a book about video games and how important it is to think about more than video games.
How does this book make you feel about video games?
I think video games can make some people not think about anything else except video games. Sometimes I like to play video games, but I’m glad that I love reading, playing sports, going into our ravine and visiting friends and family. Video games are not as important as those things.
Would you suggest that your friends read this book?
I think it’s important for kids who really focus a lot on video games to read this book!!
 To learn more about the book, go to http://dannyinanewfangledworld.com/
9 Responses to Books vs. Video Games
Great strategy. And the book sounds fun. We have a strict rule on what must be accomplished in a day before anyone can play games. This includes completion of schoolwork and chores, plus reading for 30 minutes (school doesn’t count…must be personal reading) and playing outside for 30 minutes. My boys argue sometimes, but mostly it works!
My son has been the only one to really take notice…and boy, has he taken notice. He was pretty upset – he was breaking an addiction. He knows that he is doing way better without the video games, so it’s awesome that he can even see the results.
This is very interesting that you have seen an improvement in attention span since eliminating video games during the week. I want to buy this book, I’m sure my son would love it too!
I just bought it on amazon.com for my 7 year old! We also instituted a weekend only rule, and I think it will help him prioritize. We are lucky that he LOVES to read and is also addicted to that too…this book sounds like a nice way to help him learn the appropriateness of these games! Thanks Julie and Posy!
Great book review, Posy, I think we’ll have to go read that at our house now.
Would it work on my nearly 28 year old husband? Hes beyond addicted and our 3 year old is getting that way. She loves watching movies and dvds and to cut back on screen time we got rid of cable when she was 15 months old so she wouldnt become addicted….didnt seem to work. Im at my wits end! I may need to track me down a copy for the little one and hey maybe my hubby will listen….maybe not lol!
Tarilyn – I think you bring up a really good point about role-modelling. You’ve gotta get that hubs of yours on the same page for sure. I totally get why you’d be frustrated. I think it’s fair to set screen-free times in your house.
What’s interesting is that tv and dvds don’t affect my son in the way the video games did. Watching tv doesn’t impact his ability to focus at school. It’s been a notable difference. He even came home from school and said “mom, your experiment is working”.
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U are a nerd bitch. games are much better than books ! what r u gonna do ? invite ur friends and read ? Also u can play games online with ur friends . U suck