Children and internet/gaming addiction

     It is hard to quantify at what age a child might have addiction issues concerning the internet and video games because of the relative newness of the internet.  It certainly is a serious concern.  There also might be other personality issues and boundary issues that play a role in how your child responds to limits and control.  That said, your concern is understandable, particularly because of your first hand experience dealing with your own addiction.  Your son getting out of control and furious about a limit set on his internet use is concerning.  And spending a minimum of 4-6 hours a day gaming, especially at 10 years old, detrimental. 

     I doubt that your past cocaine addiction directly affects your child’s issues with the internet.  Whether you are dealing with an addiction with your son’s internet/video game use or not, setting boundaries in terms of play is paramount for his well-being.  It is very difficult to have consistent boundaries when a child is being raised in two homes that have different rules and ideas of child rearing.  Is it possible to have a meeting with a family counselor about your son’s behavior and response to boundaries?  Talking to a professional with your ex-wife and son seems indicated and would hopefully facilitate some degree of team effort for raising your son.  Different rules and boundaries at different homes is confusing to a child and may exacerbate his difficult behavioral responses.  If your ex-wife is not amenable to a visit with a counselor, it still would be helpful for you and your son to have a session with one.  Good luck.