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Original poster

DD’s friend and mobile phone

35 replies

Reallywantachocolateorange · 03/09/2025 22:23

Dd is 7, her friend is 6 and has been given her dad’s old mobile phone, it has lots of games on it, but also has YouTube on and not just kids YouTube, normal YouTube.
She lives over the road from us and the girls have been playing at each other’s houses lots over summer.
The phone situation is causing such grief, Dd is begging for a phone, which she is categorically not having, she can occasionally play games Ive download on my phone, but this is during quiet tine after we’ve been out lots or she’s been playing out all day etc.
Her friend has started coming to the house with the phone and instead of playing, doing dens, dancing and so on, she’s sat playing games on the phone and Dd sat next to her playing it. I ended up saying no phones after lots of encouragement to play outside, the girl said it was her phone so she could, I said not in my house please.
She stopped bringing the phone round, today Dd has been at hers in the afternoon and has only just managed to get to sleep hugging me after being scared from watching YouTube videos on this girls phone-scary ones apparently
I’m so angry, what do I do? Talk to the mum, just put a stop to her going there?

Is it insane that a 6 year old has access to this or am I too overprotective??!

OP posts:
LunchtimeNaps · 03/09/2025 22:43

Two of my DD friends had mobiles at 6/7. TikTok Snapchat Insta the works. Shocking really.

ThisIsHowWeDoItThisIsHowWeDoIt · 03/09/2025 22:42

Absolute madness!

I think I’d be trying to widen her friendship group and keep her busy elsewhere. There is no way I would be facilitating the friendship or encouraging it because you clearly have very different ideas about what children should and shouldn’t be doing.

I’d try to catch the other mother in the street or something rather than send a text and is say something like ‘look Sheila, Stacey had a nightmare after watching something on YouTube on Malcolm’s old phone when she was over at yours last week’ then I’d stop talking and see what she says and respond accordingly.

FleetFootedJanet · 03/09/2025 22:42

It’s beyond ridiculous and shit parenting to allow a 6 year old to have a smart phone. And as noted above, don’t worry about offending them, they’re totally stupid, and you’re acting in your daughter’s best interests.

Createausername1970 · 03/09/2025 22:40

I would raise it with the parents first if you feel comfortable doing so, and telling them you are not sure if they are aware that the girls have been watching some unsuitable videos on the phone? And explain your daughter has been very scared and reluctant to let you leave her alone, so she won't be coming over to play for a while.

Ablondiebutagoody · 03/09/2025 22:40

Don't let her go round there and don't worry about causing any "issues". Fuck them. They are being completely inappropriate. Why do you even need to text them?

ImmortalSnowman · 03/09/2025 22:40

Reallywantachocolateorange · 03/09/2025 22:35

I’m thinking what to put in a text? How to put it across but not cause issues (difficult when neighbours)

Show quote history

I wouldn't even text them. Your daughter's friend can come play without the phone, just say no to your daughter going over there.

Shocking parenting or lack thereof from your neighbours. Wouldn't want my child there at all.

Original poster
Reallywantachocolateorange · 03/09/2025 22:35

Itsanewlife · 03/09/2025 22:26

Not insane at all. 6 year olds should not have unsupervised access to smart phones. Talk to her parents and if they are not responsive to your concerns, put an end to your DD going across.

I’m thinking what to put in a text? How to put it across but not cause issues (difficult when neighbours)

OP posts:
Original poster
Reallywantachocolateorange · 03/09/2025 22:34

Laiste · 03/09/2025 22:30

You did the right thing to say no phones in your house please - but then it was obvious that if your DD went to this child's house she'd end up watching the phone - so would have been better to say no playing at their house.

If there was x rated videos playing on the telly all day no one would think twice about stopping their child going over there.

Id think about being brave and reporting this as a safeguarding issue OP.

That poor little girl will end up seeing shocking stuff 🙁

Edited

I don’t know what Dd has seen exactly but it does sound frightening. I asked where the family were and she said in another room. I’m going to have to say she can’t go over

OP posts:
Laiste · 03/09/2025 22:30

You did the right thing to say no phones in your house please - but then it was obvious that if your DD went to this child's house she'd end up watching the phone - so would have been better to say no playing at their house.

If there was x rated videos playing on the telly all day no one would think twice about stopping their child going over there.

Id think about being brave and reporting this as a safeguarding issue OP.

That poor little girl will end up seeing shocking stuff 🙁

Itsanewlife · 03/09/2025 22:26

Not insane at all. 6 year olds should not have unsupervised access to smart phones. Talk to her parents and if they are not responsive to your concerns, put an end to your DD going across.