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AIBU?

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Is it normal for a 14 year old to want so much screen time?

111 replies

sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 09:02

He gets a couple of hours in week to game. then he might help with dinner, eat with us, but then wants to pretty much watch TV with us/alone until he goes up to read (under duress) about 9.45. He does sports a few times a week after school.

weekends, he’s up early - watches TV. Some You tube shit. He does sports both days and I will push him to meet friends or go to park, which if the others are willing, happens. Otherwise he wants to hop back on a screen.

Ive tried so hard to present other stuff - and I do organise things for us as a family. And I get him off screen, but it’s a constant battle.

i find it fucking depressing to be honest.

is it normal? Is it a phase?

OP posts:
Jumell · 07/12/2024 16:49

biscuitsandbooks · 07/12/2024 16:10

Yeah because all 14 year olds want to be just like their Msmmy.

Yeah, because that's exactly what I said 🙄

OP can't preach to him about screen time if she uses them too - I would have thought the point was fairly obvious!

Fair enough .. but I think adult life is now such that it’s difficult for us NOT to be on our screens - iyswim

a case in point - I used to have VERY limited internet access - no broadband and limited phone data. But realistically- I can’t survive like that now - I need constant access to internet banking/emails etc

biscuitsandbooks · 07/12/2024 16:10

Yeah because all 14 year olds want to be just like their Msmmy.

Yeah, because that's exactly what I said 🙄

OP can't preach to him about screen time if she uses them too - I would have thought the point was fairly obvious!

skyeisthelimit · 07/12/2024 14:00

Whatever OP does on a screen as a grown adult , is nothing to do with her son's screen limits. OP can self regulate, teenagers can't. There is nothing hypocritical about it.

It is normal for him to want the screen time, but it is OP's job as a parent to limit it.

I know several 20 year old lads, who can't hold down a relationship and rarely leave their bedrooms because all they want to do is game.

I know teens who game into the early hours, and who have stolen money to buy game credits, and who have smashed screens in fits of temper when losing games.

There needs to be a balance and he needs to find something to do when he is not on it.

elliejjtiny · 07/12/2024 13:58

My 16 year old's life is running, music, college and screens. My nearly 14 year old likes to do other stuff but he has adhd so he doesn't like sitting with a screen for long. His friends and cousins prefer screens though which he finds frustrating.

Hopeles5 · 07/12/2024 13:53

Same here. We are strict, but DD13 gets screentime every day. However she is obsessed and most of the time she speaks to us it is to ask for more screentime. We have to hide her phone and the TV remote controls so she doesn’t use them all night and we have to put a password on our computers and phones and essentially police all screens all the time. And swap her watch for one where she can’t try to read and write messages in the night, and set herself an alarm for 11am as she was waking up just in time for her screentime.

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:52

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:52

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sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:47

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Honestly, fuck you. It must be lovely in your glass tower

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SnoopySantaPaws · 07/12/2024 13:46

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Nope all my very own & nothing to do with the OP.

sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:46

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I really dislike your tone. You know fuck all about my life. Total assumptions.

my husband is here, in the house, not on the screen and has been all day - he’s a very hands on dad.

i was up at 5 doing my sport for two hours before I came home to clean, do some Mumsnet, and then go out and run errands

we all had lunch together

we often eat together - in fact, it’s rare for us not to all eat dinner together

you’re fucking rude

OP posts:
SnoopySantaPaws · 07/12/2024 13:45

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Then just be straight with your thoughts instead of picking & sniping at her!

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:44

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:43

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SnoopySantaPaws · 07/12/2024 13:43

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What has got into you this morning?? Why are you going at the OP like this,?? It's nasty. If you can't be helpful to her situation, instead of winding her up, why not go onto another thread, or get off your screen & go & do something useful!!

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:40

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:39

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SnoopySantaPaws · 07/12/2024 13:38

biscuitsandbooks · 07/12/2024 13:22

Because if he sees you on screens a lot, he's going to want to do similar?

Yeah because all 14 year olds want to be just like their Msmmy.

sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:37

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Sorry, im finding your questioning a little wearing (“as are the “…” around working). I don’t feel the need to get into the nitty gritty of my day.

I posted to find commonality around this situation - or not. Thanks to all who replied

OP posts:
HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:34

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:34

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:33

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sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:32

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Pick up a book
practice an instrument
draw

something creative

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:31

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sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:31

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Fair

OP posts:
HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:30

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