Discussion talk:How do you keep players' attention while DMing?

I have a group of kids playing that really don't know how to role play very well and try to play like it's a video game. So I have found that using this simple rule of dming helps to keep players focused. At the beginning of a session I tell them, "What you say can and will be used against you." this just helps them remember that when playing "table talk" is not appreciated. When the distracted talk gets out of hand I tend to throw some random distraction [an encounter that fits into the session] at them, hopefully nothing that will kill their character but something to make them stop and think. This can be something as simple as having them roll a reflex save. At the same time as the dm I also realize they need to do some "table talking" and I allow for those moments as well so when things might bog down I give them something to talk about. It might be as simple as having them discuss what just happened and having them devise their next plan of action.