Son spends too much time on the computer?

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My seven year old son with autism spends too much time on the computer. Sometimes he uses art applications, presentation software, and other applications that requires creativity. I have no objections to this use. He especially enjoys using Ubuntu Linux and experimenting with the operating system. Back in kindergarten, he had a problem with hacking school computers. The teacher even reported that he changed the BIOS and protected the BIOS with his own password. Thus, only he could boot the computer. He also changed the desktop settings such that no one but him could use it.

Now that he is in second grade, he will spend long periods of time at http://www.closinglogos.com/. He also likes to make his own logo animations based in part on what he sees at this website. He does not play video games or online games. For the most part he does not visit youtube.com. I really can not bring myself to force him to do something else because he enjoys himself so much on the computer. What techniques would you use to limit his time on the internet? Would you limit his time on the Internet? I considered going back to dial up to prevent him from visiting the least educational websites. Is this a good idea?

as for going back to dial-up dont because even education sites now would take super long now of days because i was on dialup a few months ago and even basic site like facebook took over 5min to load. I say if he is online to long i say unplug the DSL or Cable modem and hide it or what you have and set him up on a schedule to get on. Me I have gone through a gaming addiction. As for linux it can be good thing to learn. As for the site i dont know about because i am on my phone on the way home. Also for the graphic design thing with the pictures that is good i do graphic design also.

I guess, setting him activities that can be done off the computer that he also enjoys.

I don't see what the problem is here.

Even when I was young I enjoyed computer programs where I could design and do art a helluva lot more fun than standard computer games or even video games. It's been nearly a decade since I just lost interest in any sort of computer or video games.

You should be happy that your son is not a game addict like most normal people will become in their teens and adulthood. Heck I don't know many 7 year olds who can override computer operations the way your son does. He's already got a dozen different computer and web design careers waiting for him at this rate. I'd best be helping him putting his obsessions to good use (COLLEGE) instead trying to take it away from him.

You present this issue as if you have a better idea for the way he should use his time. What is your better idea? What script are you expecting him to follow?

My parents used to have the same problem with me. Their solution was to only allow me X amount of time per day (usually half an hour to an hour) before I had to get off and go do something else with the rest of my time, like reading (which I liked anyway). After that, they moved on to a system where I could have more time, as long as I still got all my self-care (eat, shower, clean clothes, brush teeth, etc.) and chores done around the house. If I didn't, for every three offenses, I'd lose a day of being allowed to use the computer, permanently, until I proved I could regulate my own time more effectively, and having no computer on some days also encouraged me to get more done around the house, as well as going places an meeting new people.

What's wrong with being on the computer too much? Is it keeping him from going to bed or taking a bath or going to school or even doing his homework? Is he always anxious to get on the computer? If you answered no to all of these, I don't see the problem because it sounds like it isn't effecting him.

I used to play with my Barbies all the time as a kid and then in my teens it was TV and video games and then computer. Now it's computer and I was hoping I'd be on it less but I have found a way to still be on it after I have had my baby when I started to feel better. I just have him on me so that way he isn't being abandoned and bam his development is ruined all because I left him alone too much because my interests were more important than him. So even though I did the same things lot of the time, I still did other things. Mom only took away my Barbies as a punishment because when she take away other things like my bike or TV or friends, I didn't care according to her because I go back to doing the same crimes again until she started taking away my Barbies because I played with them the most, the majority of my time. Then she quit doing it when I was about nine years old because I started to find other things to do and quit caring about my dolls being taken away knowing I'd get them back when the punishment is over.

If your son wants to do useful, productive things that lead to a good education and a choice of careers, I don't see the problem.

If you're concerned about his health, ask the advice of a doctor on how much physical activity he should have and reduce by about 25% (doctors tend to be overly careful about everyone's health except their own).

If there is some particular activity you think he should be doing, a good starting point is to lead by example.

If you are one of those people who believe using computers a lot is just bad because it is, educate yourself.

those are the symptoms of gaming addiction right there, but I don't think your (puppygnu) son has that problem. The boy's got a special interest in computers and is great at it, but it's up to you as a parent to see to it that he doesn't use that knowledge for illegal purposes (ie. cracking into so-called "secure" systems), but instead for good purposes, where he can make good use of his creativity... Hell, about when I was his age, I pretty much did the same stuff (messing with the BIOS and system functions), which got me in a bit of trouble because my dad or sister had to correct the things i'd done.

I would suggest trying to feed that creativity and knowledge, for example by getting him some literature on programming. By learning programming, he can get to make games and useful programs, yet another use for his creativity. A good activity would probably be to assemble a computer with him, it's frankly quite easy (about the same difficulty as assembling an easy puzzle), and it'll teach him the basics of how a computer works.

Your son clearly has a talent that I think you should encourage. I am doing the best I can to encourage my son who is 13 in his computer interests. I used my special interest in computers many years ago and turned it into a successful career.

Have some other interests that you can engage your son in from time to time, as he get older you can work on his understanding that it is good to take a break. I get my son to help with the family pets or chop firewood (winter in Canada!) but it can be anything to provide a distraction for just a bit.

You lost me there. How are those addictions if they aren't keeping you from going to bed or going to school or work and you aren't even anxious to get on and you are able to do other things and get stuff done? Sure if you use the computer a lot and it's not effecting you, I don't see how it's an addiction. I thought an internet addiction is where it impairs you because you don't get off to go to bed or go to work or even take care of your kids and you abandon your family or partner because you are too glued to the computer. I have heard of people calling in sick because they were too addicted to WOW or whatever. Or were you saying those are addictions if you do those things?

I wouldn't worry. It's probably replacing a social life, and I wouldn't worry about that either.

I usually only lurk, but decided to register to reply to this.

I used to be that kid, and from personal experience, I can say that no matter what you do to try and stop him, he will more than likely find a way around it. What I'd probably suggest would be to take an interest in it and try to keep up with what he's doing, and find a way to force him to socialize with other people about it; maybe some trade shows or something of that nature.

I'm be addicted to cigarettes, but that doesn't keep me from going to bed or from going to school or work... plus i've seemed to have completely misinterpreted the part i've quoted

but in any case, many parents become scared if their children may seem "glued to the screen" all day (thank you very much, media). But the main reason is that it's a new way of socializing that was not available to them when they were young, as long as there are no symptoms of addiction, then it's okay.

Gosh, I can see where you're coming from, an 8 year old on the computor all the time. Although I can imagine the stress you'd give him pulling him away from it.
I was allowed on the computor when I asked for it. I was about five when I fumbled round on the desktop and opened up the internet, and my mum turned to my dad, rolled her eyes and said "she's discovered the internet..." Yeah. I spend way too much time on it now since about age 12, my eyes are fine, social skills are awful but we all know I have another excuse for that little problem, I don't do much productive on it whereas your son does. I've considered asking my parents to take my laptop away because I would get lots done if I just abandoned it, but I like the notepad program to write essays for school on. I prefer to use books for information.
Maybe limit it to a couple of hours a day and then find books on computors for him? Lots can be learnt from theory.

NO... (I'm a software engineer and I have to spend most of my time on the internet, try limiting my time on the internet or even saying I spend "too much" time on the internet)

You ask these questions without presenting or alluding to any rational argument that your son could have an issue in the first place. What is wrong with the closing logos site? What is "too much" time on the internet? Is it effecting his performance in school?