Worried about online chatting

[Vowedonlines]

My daughter is in year 8 and everyday after school and most weekends she chats to a friend she met on holiday (video calls). I’m a single working mum so can’t always monitor whilst I’m working from home.
it feels like this girl is always available (I think she’s lonely as she moved to a new school and doesn’t have many friends). I’m concerned though as my dd is always on calls with her and if I’ve told her to stop she goes ballistic but I can’t really do much as I am on work calls most of the time. How do I cut this girl out? It feels obsessive but I want her out of our lives.

It’s like she’s always there asking my dd what she’s doing, what she’s eating, where she’s going. It’s bizarre!

Am I missing something? Why do you want to stop the calls completely?

If this was a friend that came round everyday after school and spent weekends with her would the friendship bother you as much? When you have a best friend at that age you spend literally most of your time with them. Its just in this instance, its online as they don't live close to each other.

Can you not apply boundaries to how much time they spend online talking if it bothers you that much?

It’s because it’s online and they’ve only actually met once on holiday.
boundaries are hard as during the week I’m on work calls and if I tell her to get off the computer she goes ballistic and it’s hard to intervene because I’m working.

Teenage friendships can be very intense but it will probably tail off, especially when the other girl makes some friends at her new school. Rather than banning all contact (which will only make it more appealing) can't you have a chat with your daughter and set some boundaries? I get that you're working but it's your job as a parent to supervise online activities for your child - who else is going to do it if you don't?

How old is year 8?

That said how about your own child is not 'always there' either to respond. If your child is under 16 then they really should not have all day and all night access to devices so if they dont then they cannot be contacted but i appreciate I dont know what a year 8 'childs' age is and no intention of googling I just assume young enough for this to worry you ergo be a parent and remove the issue which is clearly the device.