He is allowed to play his video games only on Friday after school and then on Saturday. He has time restrictions when he plays. He plays sports year round and he is in great physical shape. He plays piano. He gets straight A's and is in full-time advanced placement school. He has tons of great toys, a fun house with lots to do, and nearby friends who are into everything he is into. We talk about the dangers of being lazy with gaming and how he should strive to be well rounded.

Yet, despite all of his options, if I didn't force him, I am convinced that he would play video games around the clock. There is something about these games that is incredibly addictive. I've contemplated taking them away completely, but he would eventually return to them and he would play them at his friends' houses. Also, as you mention, the culture amongst these boys is such that if my son didn't play or have some kind of association, he might struggle socially. It's become that important. So I just try to teach him moderation and hope it sticks.

BTW, I'm happily married with kids and I occasionally play. I only play when the kids are down to bed and I generally only play about 1-2 games a year for a 1-3 month time period where I play a few days a week. It's possible that your friends play so much because they don't have families rather than not having families because they play so much. Chicken and egg.