Fuerth, Germany - Parents should make agreements with their children about how long they are allowed to play on the PC or gaming console. Bring a bit of understanding to the negotiating process, though, says Ulrich Gerth, chairman of the German Conference for Parenting Advice (bke), in Fuerth. Most games are constructed in such a way that they can only be saved at specific points.
Phrases like "Go out and get some fresh air" are unlikely to achieve much. "It can be very difficult to rip oneself away from the monitor," explains Gerth, a trained psychologist. If children are not willing to negotiate, then a ban could be necessary.
