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AIBU?

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To tell my 15 yo he can't have his phone in his bedrrom

27 replies

deliverdaniel · 26/01/2026 15:22

Over Christmas we did a partial "digital detox" with the kids. My 15 yo DS had been becoming addicted to his phone, scrolling for hours in his bedroom (we put on various screentime limits but he found ways around it.). Mainly youtube, tiktok etc. Nothing bad or violent just endless dumb short videos that were rotting his brain. It was destroying his attention span, his ability to read, concentrate, enjoy other things etc. (He has ADHD and mild autism for reference so pretty susceptible anyway.). The digital detox went well. He was allowed the phone mostly locked down to the basics when he went out, to do schoolwork and could use it to text friends in another room but just not in his bedroom. He was enjoying other activities, getting out more, starting to read a bit. Now the DD is over and he wants it back in his room. I say no, he is furious. Says we betrayed him by saying it was temporary and then taking it away forever etc etc. What do otheres think/ do with teens with phones? is it U to say it's not allowed in the bedroom? (Unreasonable- let him have it in his bedroom. Reasonable- you are good to hold this boundary and say no)

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 26/01/2026 15:29

His reaction sounds like that of an addict. Stand firm.

ColdAsAWitches · 26/01/2026 15:28

It's not unreasonable to ban phones in bedrooms. They are in our house and my eldest is the same age.

He's right though, you were being deceitful if you told him it was going to be temporary and you never intended letting him have it back.

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