Schoolchildren's late-night gaming causing them to nod off in class (From The Argus)
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Schoolchildren's late-night gaming causing them to nod off in class
1:10pm Monday 11th February 2013 in News By Peter James
Primary school children obsessed with online games are staying up so late they are dozing off in class.
A headteacher has warned parents to stop their children from playing video games and watching television into the early hours because it is affecting their education.
Suzanne Morgan, headteacher at Saltdean Primary School, said some pupils were ready to go to sleep by midday after a night of online games.
In a letter to parents posted on the school’s website, she said: “It has come to my attention that some of our older pupils are a little more than obsessed with various computer games.
“Some are admitting to playing these late into the night, especially the ‘live’ versions online, hence the extremely tired looks we are greeted with in the mornings.
“This lack of sleep becomes cumulative and it is very difficult for staff to inspire learning from children who by 12 o’clock are ready to go to sleep.”
She told parents that they needed to carefully monitor their children’s use of computers and televisions.
She wrote: “As more children have televisions in their rooms, we are finding that some are also watching TV until late.
“We therefore ask that you monitor use of TV and games and ensure that they are shutting them down at a reasonable time.
“I empathise with parents and carers, having gone through many battles of wills with my own children – they won’t thank you for it at the time, but they will later.”
Online danger
Georgie Kennedy from Brighton and Hove Parents and Children's Group, said parents needed to take action.
She said: “There is a huge danger with online games.
“There are all sorts of things online especially if these children are accessing it in their bedrooms.
“And in the virtual reality world they lose out on interacting with others.
“If there is no discipline in the home how will they get on in later life?
Violent games
“Everyone needs to hear ‘no’ at some point.”
The news comes after another primary school in Sussex issued a warning to parents about children playing violent video games.
Meeching Valley Primary School in Newhaven said last month that kids as young as seven or eight were acting out on-screen violence in the playground.
Most were playing games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto, which should only be sold to those aged 18 or over.
Talking point: What can parents do to restrict youngsters playing computer games late at night? Share your views by commenting below or email The Argus letters pages letters@theargus.co.uk.
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Comments(10)
Sussex jim
says...
2:40pm Mon 11 Feb 13
But we invited them to turn them off at times appropriate to their ages. They soon learnt to self-police their viewing.
Just be sensible parents.
BagelCat
says...
3:10pm Mon 11 Feb 13
Even your internet routers can be easily configured to only allow traffic within certain times of the day. Lazy parenting I say.
mimseycal
says...
3:54pm Mon 11 Feb 13
KIS says
says...
9:07pm Mon 11 Feb 13
magoo
says...
7:14am Tue 12 Feb 13
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
7:44am Tue 12 Feb 13
whereisthe...?
says...
9:57am Tue 12 Feb 13
How can it NOT be MORE single mother's fault rather than men, when statistically (and in many other ways) there AREN'T even many men involved?
But I know the typical childish response (or ignoring) these facts will draw from such childish mothers/ women (often posting pretending to be men too!).
Just proves my point.
Time for a fair, frank and honest discussion about how too many female's behaviour has just become plainly infantile. Had plenty of reasonable, educated, mature women saying EXACTLY the same things (before lazy calls of misogynist are used)
whereisthe...?
says...
9:59am Tue 12 Feb 13
Not enough women know how to be adults, yet have children. Why are we so surprised when we just always blame the father - yet look where we are.. time to address the women.
StyleCop
says...
12:06pm Tue 12 Feb 13
There's a misconception that Video Games are purely aimed at just children, which is simply not true.
The PEGI (Pan European Game Information) initiative that's been in place for years is there to inform parents of the content of games - it's rigurously maintained, updated and regulated by the industry and we all adhere to it's guidelines - the results of which define what age the game is aimed at.
A lot of products are Mature in their content, the likes of GTA, Call of Duty are not for children yet we hear them cited time and time again in stories like this.
If adult parents (whereisthe....? Misogyner notwithstanding) are allowing their children to play these mature games then you have to wonder if they also allow them to watch mature movies too?
As someone has mentioned there are ways to block content on consoles (but this requires the knowledge AND the initiative to do it)
Stripes says...
2:21pm Mon 11 Feb 13
Errr, not buy children as young as 7 or 8 computer games rated for over 18's.
Ask themselves why they have allowed school age children to have TV's and consoles in their bedrooms?