Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Does your 13 yr old have parental controls on their phone etc?

30 replies

Barrenfieldoffucks · 03/01/2024 19:25

Asking because DD swears none of her friends do.

She has a couple of very basic ones: phone and iPad turn off at a chosen time in the eve, and a time limit on some apps like tiktok.

Is this the norm for their age? I don't want her wasting all of her spare time watching crap on tiktok, but understand her wanting to watch some.

OP posts:
Turfwars · 04/01/2024 15:54

Shallana · 04/01/2024 14:46

My niece comes home crying that none of her friends have any controls of their phone and don't have to leave their phone downstairs overnight and that it's so embarrassing for her.

Her friends are lying. They absolutely do have the same restrictions, my sister is in contact/friends with all their parents. They're just embarrassed to admit it

In our day it was "But EVERYONE my age is allowed to go to a 18s disco!!" 😁

With DM and DF, you got more of a chance of being allowed to do something beyond your years if you also demonstrated a maturity beyond your years outlining that you considered the risks they were concerned about, and had plans in place for contingencies etc. If you went wailing that it wasn't fair they only doubled down.

Our local secondary had a great talk on teen cyber stuff. Three of the biggest takeaways from that was 1) teens are far less likely to tell you they did something dumb online if they think you'll lose your shit and take their phone off them - so that should never be the threat, they should always be able to come to you about online stuff so you can help them learn and navigate issues they encounter, and 2) teens can't self regulate their screen time - hell, many adults struggle. So phones stay downstairs at bed times and through the night. finally 3) Yes you should invade their privacy - or at least reserve the right to invade it until they are older teens. We are about a year away from DS getting a phone so the plan for me is to start brushing up on the apps that are popular and what parental controls are best.

VisiblyNot25 · 04/01/2024 15:59

My DD has a time limit on TikTok because it’s so addictive & her phone goes off for the night (& is left downstairs) at 7.30pm

Kane56 · 21/08/2024 12:51

reluctantbrit · 03/01/2024 19:32

DD is 16 and we are in the process of taking controls off as we are the opinion she earned the trust and it's still enough time for her to make mistakes while we can help her before she is suddenly alone with it.

With 13 she didn't have social media outside WhatsApp and also time restrictions.

God your kids aren’t ever going to speak to you again one day🤣🤣 16 and you’ve still got parental controls on, all you are doing is slowly pushing your kids further away, u waste of a parents

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

13 year olds Families
Edingril · 21/08/2024 12:54

No I had all passwords and access to email and they knew I would check if I needed too, no issues as they are not actually that bothered by it and use it for games or YouTube mainly

They are trustworthy and older now

Pedallleur · 21/08/2024 12:57

Locked down here and a time limit. I do allow certain things eg Derry Girls and will lift restrictions as my daughter gets older (14). But no way will it be unrestricted until we decide it can be. She is good and understands why

New posts on this thread. Refresh page