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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To NOT get WIFI??

310 replies

loveitorleaveit · 07/10/2017 20:16

Me and my DP have a phone each with more than enough data to use when we are at home for internet etc. We have 3 TVs throughout the house with more than enough channels, a DVD player and a PS4 with mass amounts of dvds and games. We have never felt the need to pay an addition cost for sky/virgin/WiFi

My DP has an 11 year old son who comes to ours every other weekend and twice each week on week nights. Since he got his own phone and iPad for his birthday we allow him to connect to our data so he can use them to play on games and access the internet.

I am just about fed up of hearing his comments about us not having WiFi or sky ‘you’re like old people’ ‘it’s just stupid’ ‘I guess I’ll have to waste my mobile data AGAIN’ ‘oh great we have to watch NORMAL tv’ ‘god sake I can’t play online here on PS4’

Really!!?? I’ve told him to doesn’t know how lucky he is! He just roles his eyes at me. My DP doesn’t say anything to his comments, and tells me that’s kids nowadays!

Maybe it is but it still frustrates me!

AIBU???

OP posts:
Flossy1978 · 07/10/2017 22:16

Not having a tv a long time ago when you were under ten is a whole different thing to not having decent internet connection. You can't even compare the two.

How did tv help in your life? A decent net connection is a necessity of life now.

Collaborate · 07/10/2017 22:16

YABU. Get wifi. It's essential these days. You'll only come across as bloody minded otherwise.

BakedBeans47 · 07/10/2017 22:18

It may not be a “necessity” but many people’s houses mine included are full of things which aren’t necessary for one’s existence but it makes life easier and more comfortable.

BananaShit · 07/10/2017 22:18

He isn't BU.

EdmundCleverClogs · 07/10/2017 22:21

How many hours can you spend in front of the bloody goggle-box?

What does it matter how much time some spend in front of the 'goggle-box' Hmm. Home entertainment is a huge part of many people's lives, and that's not something to hoik judgy-pants over. Some people don't want to get a million DVDs to catch up with programs that are just easily available through one box. Yes, there may be an extra cost for some channels, but considering that most of the better programs these days are available through streaming, well it's a cost many are happy to pay. Otherwise it's the same old BBC/ITV drivel that's barely changed in 50 odd years. Not that everyone can get freeview (as I said, we can't in our house).

scottishdiem · 07/10/2017 22:24

Mmm. I am 40. You can prize my wifi out my cold dead hands. Last two house moves it was arranged to have the internet and wifi installed on the day we moved in.

He is 11 and in a world you clearly don't understand. It will get worse as he gets older. Take some silver surfer classes and learn.

Sallystyle · 07/10/2017 22:25

You have to have wi-fi. I can't imagine not having it. You're missing out on so much and so is your son. I think it's pretty mean.

Floofborkboopandsnoot · 07/10/2017 22:31

Tv is fair enough, not everyone needs lots of channels, but wifi, YABU.

quercuscircus · 07/10/2017 22:32

This thread is quite funny. The MN zeitgeist is so different on a weekend.

Some people do actually struggle to afford wifi and/or or phone data you know.

We have not had a landline before and so had no broadband and it was fine. Better actually as the local internet was very slow but 4g was fast. We personally don't want an internet connected TV because of the spying and data collection issues - we just run an HDMI cable to the TV from the laptop to watch iplayer etc. Its no big deal at all. We could easily maange with 10gb -15gb of data - that needn't cost much these days.

Not having wifi isn't the end of the world if you have enough mobile data and it isn't like the son has no access at all or has even run out of data. Sounds like he is just being a bit sneery for the sake of it. The father should tell him to mind his manners and respect people's differences. Perhaps if the DS was sat down with the bills and costs/choices he would understand the costs etc. If he's going to complain he should learn about how it works! It will probably do him good not to play computer games every day.

And I really don't think that not having broadband but mobile data instead in anyway contributes to a 'race to the bottom'! I really did Grin at that!! Most ridiculous thing I've heard in ages.

Winebottle · 07/10/2017 22:37

I think you have to move with the times.

When I was younger people thought that having a mobile was luxury and the thought of a child needing one was mad.

I bet it was the same for TVs before that and every other piece of technology.

I could quite easily live without wifi but it isn't expensive so don't see any reason to.

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 07/10/2017 22:40

What's the point of having a PS4 if you don't have the internet? It needs to be connected to receive game and software updates. Some games which are bought on disc, won't even install correctly without having the initial updates.

It's not like you are against the internet, you have it it's just the way you access it isn't very practical, secure or cost effective.

deepestdarkestperu · 07/10/2017 22:42

Some people do actually struggle to afford wifi and/or or phone data you know.

Well, yes. But considering they have a PS4 and can afford enough mobile internet to run two phones, plus a hotspot for an 11yo to play internet games, I don't think they're struggling Hmm

WiFi would be cheaper than mobile internet for one person these days, let alone three people, plus access to a PS4.

lunar1 · 07/10/2017 22:51

Do you and your husband have any non essential items? Or is that theory just for your step child?

quercuscircus · 07/10/2017 22:59

deepestdarkestperu you cant know that they are not struggling or living to a budget. Lots of people have to make choice of either/ or not both.

Also, lots of phone contracts subsidise a smartphone that would cost hundreds to buy up front and you can get a good deal on high data tarriffs with these phones. It just depends. You don't know the OP's set up.

There are lots of plans around £15 to 20 a month with 20gb+ of data on 4g so they need not be spending a fortune on tarriffs.

And like the OP said, they don't need both, so having both would be a waste of money. The kid has plenty of internet and is not deprived! If anything he is spoilt overloaded with luxuries and so doesn't appreciate the value of what he has.

Blahblahboo · 07/10/2017 23:00

Would you really begrudge him WiFi thatcan cost as little as five pounds a month?
You must really hate him

Blahblahboo · 07/10/2017 23:02

As for the so called phone plans with 20plus data for fifteen pounds, you must be imaging things.

Oysterbabe · 07/10/2017 23:09

I pay £17 a month for my phone and have unlimited data...

deepestdarkestperu · 07/10/2017 23:10

People who are struggling don’t have PS4’s, stacks of DVD’s and enough mobile data to power two phones, plus the ability to use one as a hotspot for an 11yo.

Yes, data is included in contacts but you’d have to be paying a fortune to get enough data to last a month considering they have no other means of internet access at home.

Besides, OP’s objection isn’t the cost, it’s that her and her husband don’t need it. I don’t need lots of things, but I think it’s unfair to deprive an 11yo of something so basic when it is affordable and when it will practically become a necessity when he hits his teen years (even if you discount socialising, most homework is set online once you hit secondary).

deepestdarkestperu · 07/10/2017 23:11

But mobile data is much slower than WiFi. You certainly can’t watch videos or download PS4 updates on mobile data without either destroying your battery life or your allowance!

worridmum · 07/10/2017 23:13

Yes and when your PS4 needs a 7 gig download to play a game you just bought from a bricks and mortar store there goes a massive amount of mobile data.

Sometimes the PS4 needs updates of that size or it wont play any games (bitter experience when moving house and skyrim just came out....)

Do you waste food OP if so why dont you think of people in Africa who are straving? Its bloody stupid using the arguement that things are worse for some people so deal with it?

How about someone tells a sexist joke and shuts you down that you should deal with it as until recently Women were not even allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia and your being stupid about a joke...

Oysterbabe · 07/10/2017 23:14

Oh yeah I agree, WiFi all the way. I was just responding to posters saying how it would cost a fortune to have a large data allowance. I'm Sim only, as it almost always works out a lot cheaper to just buy a phone outright.

notreallythere · 07/10/2017 23:18

Are you doing online banking, shopping etc over 3/4G? Are you not worried about security?

LonginesPrime · 07/10/2017 23:20

It’s only a weekend without WiFi, he must have quite an unhealthy habit if he can’t go two days without

^ This.

OP, it's your money, and if you don't see the need for wifi, YANBU not to get it. You don't have to 'get with the times' because they're your times too - just do what you want.

Some people would die without wifi (and TBH, I would definitely choose it over a lot of other non-essentials), but that doesn't mean that you have to have it - it means they do!

eyebrowsonfleek · 07/10/2017 23:30

A lot of kids don’t watch TV any more. Their video entertainment comes from Netflix/Youtube etc. Kids send each other links to funny videos.

Out of interest how many GB of data do you have on your contract? I’m guessing that you don’t play PS4 online either? How do you get patches and updates?

fortheloveofpancakes · 07/10/2017 23:32

How do you play online games on your PS4 and update it and get patches?
I would hate to be without WiFi.
I use my PS4 every day and not just for gaming but I watch now tv on it and I also have Apple TV so need the internet at decent speeds for that too.
Even my old mum has WiFi for her laptop, PS4, iPhone & iPad. She’s in her 70’s!

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