So, we gave DS 10 (he will be 10 next week) an old iPhone 4 for Xmas that used to be mine. It will be on a £5 a month sim only contract and there are extremely strict rules on how he can use it. All his mates had phones of varying types for Xmas and will be texting each other so we didn’t want him to feel left out but didn’t want to buy a phone yet either. At the moment he doesn’t go to the park on his own as we live in a city and aren’t as close to the park as some of his mates.
He can only use it to play music via my Spotify account, a few games like mine craft, can text his friends, will not be able to use data out of the house and really doesn’t need it because he is rarely anywhere to warrant it yet.
I feel very uncomfortable about him having a phone as I don’t think he needs one and certainly but feel that with strict boundaries and a gradual build up to secondary school, it can be managed properly. We have said no use in his bedroom aswell.
Aibu to feel uncomfortable? Am I managing it properly? Part of me feels like I have done the wrong thing and given in too easily to peer pressure.
He had lego, subbuteo, books etc also for Xmas & still plays with those a lot so am hoping to keep the balance and make it a gradual process.
I find parenting a minefield!