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Original poster

Tips for yr 7 starters about phones, social media etc

27 replies

areyoutheregoditsmemargaret · 20/06/2016 09:41

DD is going into year 7 next term and I've decided it's time to lay down ground rules now about phone-use, social-media while she is still vaguely compliant.

She has an old phone of mine she uses for internet access, with Instagram (I know it's officially not until 13, I was conned into allowing her this, long story and now it's too late, my fault.) She doesn't yet have a Sim card, mainly because she cant' see the point of calling/texting anyone but I'll probably get her a payg SIM in the autumn, as she'll be going to school alone.

So wiser, more experience mnetters, what rules can I set in place now to stop her becoming a completely phone-obsessed zombie? I'm going to ban phones in bedrooms - amazed that already some of her friends are allowed this and are kept up all night by Instagram pinging - but more tips would be gratefully received. Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
areyoutheregoditsmemargaret · 20/06/2016 15:45

Thank you, I'm not so concerned about safety but about the all-enveloping nature of social media. But I do remember spending hours on the phone to friends after school, so I guess this is the same thing - but people didn't ring our landline at 2am.

I am thinking about no phones in bedroom, no phones after 8.30pm, one phone-free day at weekends. No phones at table too (dh be warned).

Or is this an impossible dream?

OP posts:
eyebrowse · 20/06/2016 10:22

You might find that she knows a lot more about the issues than you do having done e-safety at school.

The main things are to treat people with respect and to think about whether what she says could be misinterpreted by other people. If she is talking late at night she and her friends are more likely to be tired and say things they might regret so its a good idea to switch it off over night.

On the other hand if she sees something she does not like to report it - schools know now about all the problems with social media so are likely to be receptive. Also to know that it is possible to switch it off and do something else if things get a bit heated.

The best idea is to get involved with activities so less idle time for phones. The most difficult thing we have found is homework time when they use them for the internet but end up being sucked into browing communicating instead of working

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