Alarming Decline of Quality Youth Playtime

Re:Alarming Decline of Quality Youth Playtime by Mr_RobRoy on Wednesday January 23, 2019 @04:06PM (#18982952)

I think you're right. Just unplugging and kicking the kids out the door just isn't effective, ultimately. I think that's true mainly because it takes all of the parents in the neighborhood doing the same thing. Otherwise, your kids end up outside with no one to play with because all of the kids their age are still inside attached to their electronic devices. I think it's much harder today to create alternative activities than it used to be.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Alarming Decline of Quality Youth Playtime by aylmao on Wednesday January 23, 2019 @06:31PM (#18984331)

I think siblings play an important role here. More than a few times I remember going out and having no one to play with but my brother, only to be joined later on by other kids.

Moreover, I can only assume that it was through me that my brother got introduced to the "social scene" of the neighborhood. I was the older one, so when we came out to play, I was in charge of him, and that meant always inviting him to play and introducing him to all my friends.

Siblings are like friends you have no option but having (and playing with). Incredibly reliable, in that sense (:

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Alarming Decline of Quality Youth Playtime by Mr_RobRoy on Wednesday January 23, 2019 @06:47PM (#18984465)

I think that parents who help their kids understand that their siblings have the potential to be their best, life-long friends are doing a wonderful thing for their kids. My sisters and I (2 years between each of us) spent a huge amount of time playing together even up through Jr. High school. We're still very close today.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Alarming Decline of Quality Youth Playtime by aylmao on Thursday January 24, 2019 @03:19PM (#18992514)

Same with my sibling and I. Unfortunately were far apart-- he's in college, I'm abroad, so interestingly enough the only way we can play together now is through video games.

I care so little about League of Legends I've never played a match outside the ones we play together, but I always prioritize any planned League time over any other leisure activity (:

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Alarming Decline of Quality Youth Playtime by feistypharit on Wednesday January 23, 2019 @07:30PM (#18984804)

Or worse, one family kicks their kids out, and they float around to all the neighbors. Eventually, neighbors learn to avoid them because it's everyday and they misbehave. /Rant

[ Parent | on HN ]