I am no yard stick for anyone to measure to, but I would suggest that your desire to have him feel unrestricted is the issue. Kids need boundaries, they need restrictions, they need discipline (not beatings, just rules and limits). Do they complain about it? Sure, they do. But they crave it, because without it there is no guidance to show them what is right and what is wrong. Also, how do they develop healthy habits unless you push them to have them and take away negative habits? They won't, they'll do what is fun and easy because most kids are all about instant gratification, although there are those that are just internally super self disciplined. I am pretty positive you don't let him write on walls or swear at adults or be disrespectful to you, so why is computer time different?
For my kids, they get a limited amount of electronic time per day, e.g. iPods, iPads, PC etc. For the pre-teens, they get no more then 90 minutes during the weekday and no more then 4 hours on a weekend day for "electronic" time. It may sound harsh, but that forces them to choose what they want to do with that time wisely. As the get older, I'll expand/adjust it. Also, I don't include them doing homework assignments in that time, that is always allowed. I also allow them to research something if they have a question etc, it isn't like I hammer them at the exact time, but it is a limit that they respect. And they always ask before starting up a PC etc. Even TV is monitored, but not strictly limited. But by doing so they choose to go outside and play, they choose to still make up games to play etc.
For my 18 year old, he had the same type of restrictions too, but as he got older they of course got less and less to the point I let him do what he wants now. He spends too much time in my opinion on youtube, hulu, netflix etc. But he has great grades and has a social life etc, plus now he's an adult with a new job and college coming soon, so he's gotta figure out some new balance.
I am 21 and growing up my parents also limited my siblings and I's computer time. They'd go as far as hiding the mouse or the power cords. I don't blame them BUT at the time (14-18) I used the computer to experiment with programming and it seems like my peers who did the same but had "unlimited" access to a computer had a great headstart.
So I think the time kids spend on the computer should factor in what they use it for. I'd secretly monitor their activity to determine that.
I wish my parents had subscribed to your stated model. As an adult I've had to scrape and twist to grow the kind of discipline I've seen lattice up great things. Friends, colleagues, lovers, teachers, the lot of them I've seen practice less or more discipline. And always the ones with more looked healthier, more content, creative and joyous. Then again we can't always rely on appearances.
Still, it's better than it could have been, my raising. No sour grapes.
"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?" - Robert Browning
Limiting him to electronics creates however another issue, it will get him bored - we have only one kid, what is he supposed to do?
I like seeing him happy and having fun but I also think he spends too much time in front of the computer though playing games will still be better than watching countless hours of Youtube since will help him think more instead of being passive starring at the screen.
Me and my wife we are always busy with something and this may be our mistake too.
This approach just taught me to be paranoid, skilled at lying, and good at maintaining appearances.
But I realize I'm not helping you much here, good luck ;-)
I would suggest also possibly a social and or economic problem. There might even be a "magic bullet" where a single change can reap huge rewards. More allowance, less allowance, different school, after school program, later wake up time, the variables are myriad.
I would suggest looking into kinesthetic intelligences (sp?). Moving around. Sports, music, karate, track and field, etc. Positive and creative physical discipline.
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Like others have pointed out if this is just a symptom of another problem you'll only be teaching him how to be more patient and thus result in more wasted hours.
Also, I reward him with game time / RC air plane building project time with me if he did certain % of Khan Academy each weekend. He's 4th grade and finished 35% of 6th grade math himself and did some javascript program course on Khan Academy.
