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Unless you knew what you were doing, 13 year old me would've probably sniffed the new password and carried on regardless anyway. Fire a dearth packet, grab the handshake, set a password cracker running before leaving for school.
These Masonic rituals are really complicated.
Surely any hobby is doing the same thing regarding neurons firing in your brain. Assuming physical fitness is not being compromised by ones hobby then what's the difference?
Gaming is fine, but it's mostly just one skill in a small area of human endeavour, but it's very addictive and there's loads of it. So kids can develop a one track mind. This I believe is detrimental. It's ok to geek out on things, but you do need perspective and a wide range of mental activity.
I used to spend a lot of time coding and somewhat less gaming - but I've always had other diverse interests.
Sorry but I fear there is no hope. Gen Xers 'gift' to Millenials was a virtual life. For the last 6 years I have volunteered once a year with young (18-20-somethings) from all over the world and 90% whatever else they do (be it kayaking, art/painting, camping, coasteering, photography, gardeining, cycling, cooking, drinking, socialising etc 'IRL') is taking time away from their internet-enabled device which they inevitably snap back to like a rubber-band.
It's a constant losing struggle. My generation is latterly addicted to the internet, their generation is normalised by it. Without constant intervention/encouragement/scheduling I find them sitting silently around the communal kitchen table or else alone in their dorms, each lost in their tablet/phone/PC. Ironically, those very few who do not have these devices are 'loners' who enjoy outdoor pursuits and active offline company. I observe that they too are most often frustrated by their peers quasi-religious adherence to the digital 'life'. Quite how much of the internet-addicts reticence to engage in the wider world is coming from resultant lack of confidence is up for debate.
...but will be the winners in the long run.
A new form of educational/career apartheid is emerging. Parents can do something about it, its their choice whether to bother or not.
Have you tried him on drones? There are a lot of things you can get for not much and the bigger ones obviously require fresh air.