There was a time about 8 years or so when I totally refused to have a cell phone.  Today, I left my cell phone at the office when I went out for lunch and nearly had a panic attack (not really, but it definitely made me uncomfortable).  In our household, we have made all sorts of pledges to keep gaming out of the house.  But I definitely don't want to make such an issue that it becomes an unhealthy struggle.  Lilysmom has a good point - video games are not without positive qualities and can actually improve skills that need a high degree of hand-eye motor skills.  Like anything else, moderation is best.

As good as computer games can be (eye/hand co-ord, memory etc), I lean towards the old fashioned viewpoint also. What can be learnt from computer games can also be learnt playing other kinds of games or toys. I am a firm believer that even though computers are our present and will definitely be our future, there is plenty of time to introduce it to children/teens - they won't be "left behind" (as it has been argued to me on one debate with another mother), teenagers learn and pick things up very quickly so hardly see how they'd be left behind. As for physical activity, all the old fashioned games/toys or even just playing outdoors also help with fitness, computer games however, exercise the thumbs and fingers and over-exercises the eyes. (my opinion only) What kind of world would it be that our children can be computer whizzes, but they can't catch a ball, they can't run, they can't spell, they can't add up, and worst of all, that they can't use their heads in an imaginative way.  When I was a child (way way back in the 70's/early 80's, we made up our own entertainment, now children can't think of how to entertain themselves, they need the stimulus to come to them.) Sorry to sound so lecture-ish but I really lean on the article author's side on this one. (okay okay i'll get off the soapbox now.)

Nell has a good point and if it is inevitable....maybe just set some ground rules like you would for tv. Homework first, chores, and then he could play for 1 hour after school or something and make the traditional stuff an hour of family time.