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Original poster

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:
Original poster
sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:29

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Yeah, he was one of 3 who showed (out of many dozens!)😂

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Original poster
sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:28

I work for myself from home and I always have. I think he’s able to distinguish between someone who uses the computer for work and one who watches YouTube 🙄

and honestly. A 14 year old should be able to do something on his own if I’m at my screen working

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:23

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biscuitsandbooks · 07/12/2024 13:22

sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:15

I’ve been on the computer since around 11 when I started work

but I’m not sure why what I do has picked up traction?

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

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:17

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:16

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:16

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Original poster
sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:15

I’ve been on the computer since around 11 when I started work

but I’m not sure why what I do has picked up traction?

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Original poster
sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:14

I’m not tetchy - its the implication that there’s some sinister reason for name changing is annoying.

he did go to sport for a bit and now he’s back gaming. For a bit.

im working today at my computer. I have a (very good) husband

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:09

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Original poster
sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:07

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I didn’t feel the need to name change - I have two accounts. Not for any extraordinary reason, but because of a tech reason when I tried to set up the account on my phone. It was easier to set up a different account, for reasons I won’t bore you with.

I made the terrible mistake of responding from my other account. So shoot me!

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LostittoBostik · 07/12/2024 13:06

sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 09:10

he does his homework and he works towards mid term tests - but it never seems a lot.

I don't have a teen yet and am already struggling with tween screen time so it's definitely normal I think.

But I would look into this about homework. Is he really doing it all? Everyone I know with teens thinks the homework burden is insane and says it's around two hours a day.

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:04

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Thinkonmadam · 07/12/2024 13:04

is he online gaming? If so I recommend you watch the Netflix documentary “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” - there is a social aspect to some screen time that lots of people underestimate.

Disturbia81 · 07/12/2024 13:04

@HazelTiger Absolutely.

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:02

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Original poster
sleepitoff · 07/12/2024 13:01

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Whoops, thanks

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 13:01

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HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 12:58

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Staysure · 07/12/2024 12:54

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No, I was cleaning and alerts pinged.

I'm also an adult who understands the impact of too much screen, versus a young teen whose brain and emotional tapestry is still shaping.

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 12:51

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Disturbia81 · 07/12/2024 12:50

God he sounds far better than usual teens! He plays sport both weekend days and through the week, school and homework so of course the rest he wants to chill.
You need to chill out and stop battling.

HazelTiger · 07/12/2024 12:44

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Paddymcpaddy · 07/12/2024 11:50

We also have no screens in the kids bedrooms… the Xbox is in the main living area. Not always convenient for us but deffo limits how much time is spent on tv or gaming. Laptop is used only for homework and also resides downstairs. We have no IPads.
we do have 2 kids who I think have a half decent balance of screens versus sport versus friends versus being outside. They have no Social Media either. Stand firm.

Paddymcpaddy · 07/12/2024 11:47

I’m 50 and at that age my male pals would happily have sat on their Zx spectrums and gone down the arcade to play Street Fighter all day!
And if we had all had access to 24 hr kids tv we would have watched that too.

Turn it off. It’s what we do. My mum used to turn of the tv in a Saturday morning and tell us to go play or do chores!