4 ms·
My oldest just got her first smartphone at 11. But it comes with rules. Screentime is limited. The phone does not go up to her room, it stays downstairs. She's
by psiops 4y ago
My oldest just got her first smartphone at 11. But it comes with rules. Screentime is limited. The phone does not go up to her room, it stays downstairs. She's allowed to take it out with her only when that makes sense for keeping in touch. No mobile internet (yet). We have open and frank talks about the dangerous sides of the internet and social media. And at 11, she can understand those warnings.
- Brybry 4y agoThis seems like the reasonable approach to me. And parents have been doing this for decades with regards to computer time or TV screen time. My parents had to limit my access to books as a kid because I would stay up all night reading with a flashlight.
- em500 4y agoIf you disable data altogether (wifi, not just mobile), you don't really need any screentime limits or other rules such as where she is allowed to use it. She'll very quickly self-limit the amount of time she spends on it. Keeping in touch works fine with voice and sms. As we all know., the internet is an infinite time sink.
- em-bee 4y agoit depends on personality. i spend more time on the internet if access is limited because i want to make the most of it, whereas if i have unlimited access it is much easier to take a break, because i can get back any time. self-discipline is easier to learn if i am in control, not when it is forced on me. the key is to find other more interesting things to do