As I wrote above, my twelve year old brother is addicted to Netflix.
He already watched 9.5 hours today. (Intro and credits not included) Although he said that today would be his Netflix day, yesterday he was also watching the series for 3.1 hours. (The day before yesterday 1h, then again 4.8h)
It all started when there was no class at school because of Corona. At the time, we (my mother and I) set up a Netflix trial and created an account for him.
However, this has continued to worsen.
First, because:
he doesn't see a problem in watching Netflix (and others) for hours every day. He does not notice that he is no longer doing any sport, since his football training course naturally ends and does not learn anything in the direction without direct request from his parents.
our parents are separated and have the switch model. My mother can regulate his Netflix consumption more or less, but only if he is with her. (My brother and I change apartments every week)
However, our father does not work from home and does nothing because it is our mother's account.
he no longer listens to me. Since I'm almost always with him, I noticed that he watches Netflix too often. I have spoken to him about it many times; he is always very accommodating: he doesn't look that much at all, he says. He also plans to look less. He wants to set up rules, etc.
Of course, none of this works.
I have already spoken to my mother about it, what is going on, etc. However, she is very busy right now and I would also like to help somehow.
Every time I try to help my brother, I do the opposite: he lies to me or is angry because he feels betrayed by me.
I should also mention that he is not only on Netflix, he is at least 1.5 to 2 hours a day on YouTube.
So what should I do?
Is it best to wait and let my mother take care of it?
Or can I do something myself?
I would be reluctant to end my Netflix subscription because I use it sometimes, just like my mother.
Thanks for reading!
I'm happy about every tip, because I can really use it, I'm almost desperate.
He has to be clear to himself that he is only harming himself… Is addiction therapy necessary? Or he notices when he gets fat and unsportsmanlike and bullied by it
Almost every device can be locked with a password…
No, he doesn't get fat because he just eats little. If anything, it's rather too thin
I would be reluctant to end my Netflix subscription because I use it sometimes, just like my mother.
But you really have to love your brother…
How old are you
Why do you think you can control your brother like this?
What else is he supposed to do?
How about if you just do something with your brother? If it bothers you, tell your parents & it's good. You don't have to control him
He just needs his cell phone because of school, friends, etc. My mother thinks about taking his cell phone away sometimes. Is this a good idea?
I don't want to check him either, but if he lies in bed every day until afternoon and watches Netflix, I'm worried.
A GOOD idea would be to do something with your brother.
The mother would have to set up guidelines AND also understand that these are being observed.
For example, do school work, possibly household chores, sports or similar - then cell phone… Until… O'clock - there are also apps that, after installation (password-protected settings), ensure that a time counter is running to keep the nonsense completely switches off.
And… He needs the cell phone for school, friends…
The available time can be set…
Conclusion: "Bringing up" your brother is NOT YOUR TASK…
Difficult, so he should do an addiction test or you and everyone you know play along and always say to your brother: man, you gamble a lot! Then he will notice
Try to somehow get him away from it, play games with the whole fam more often. Or just you and him
