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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Daughter broken her new phone

170 replies

lexi873 · 15/01/2019 19:57

Hey,
So as the title says I bought my 11 year old daughter an iPhone for Christmas after a long time of nagging that eeeveryone else has got one, and today she has spilt a bloody drink on it and broken it!
I know accidents happen but I’m more angry that she’s hidden it and lied I asked her what had happened to the screen and she kept saying she didn’t know (the apps keep closing and the screen is swiping by itselflf) so more fool me thought it must be faulty and was going to take it back to the shop tomorrow before she confessed!
I know she’s only 11 and accidents happen but my AiBu is would you make her pay out of her own money for a repair or the cost? It’s on contract for £22 a month for 18 months and I’ve got to pay that and she’s only had the damn thing 3 weeks, I know I should have got insurance but the cost of the phone was enough and I could only afford a phone as a treat in the first place. I’m so angry, it’s her birthday on Friday and I’m meant to be taking her and a friend for a meal and sleepover but I don’t even feel like it now after she lied.
What would anyone else do? Thanks

OP posts:
JasperKarat · 15/01/2019 20:19

@ChrisjenAvasarala not true about water damage not being covered, I've had two phones repaired/replaced on the insurance I get with my bank account, one fell in the toilet (back pocket) the other someone else knocked a cup of tea onto.

Original poster
lexi873 · 15/01/2019 20:21

Yes it is an older model it’s only an IPhone 6 I’m glad I didn’t get anything dearer.
I looked online whether Apple would repair water damage and it said they generally don’t as they don’t know the extent of the damage but not sure if that was on the proper Apple website.
I’m not vindictive to my daughter at all I bought her the phone in the first place cos she was desperate to be like her friends but obviously I am upset/ angry that she’s ruined it within weeks!

OP posts:
mobyduck · 15/01/2019 20:22

If you get a child a phone, get insurance!
And don't get an iPhone next time!

HoraceCope · 15/01/2019 20:25

I regretted getting my 16 year old a contract phone when she lost it and would never have considered doing the same for an 11 year old. What a waste.
you can however buy a cheap phone and put the sim in it.
do you have insurance?

wrenika · 15/01/2019 20:27

See if you can get it fixed cheaply and make her pay.

And don't get her tech again. Children don't need iphones!

Kaysando66 · 15/01/2019 20:30

I feel so bad for you. I would be furious too but I think you need to find a way to get over it and forgive her. It was an accident and she is only 11. It is worth seeing if the phone can be repaired, if so she could help pay for the cost of the repair, then buy a case. Don't let the episode spoil her birthday as you will regret it later.

KeiTeNgeNge · 15/01/2019 20:30

Turn it off and put it in a bag of dry rice for three days

Pardalis · 15/01/2019 20:33

The rice thing is a myth. There aren't enough holes in the phone for the water to evaporate.
Switch it off. Place in a dry cupboard - airing cupboard if you have it and leave it for a few weeks.
It will dry out enough to at least be repaired

myhamsteratefreddiestarr · 15/01/2019 20:36

I claimed on my contents personal possessions insurance. It only cost £25 excess. Do you have that insurance?

Aragog · 15/01/2019 20:37

Rice probably won't work if you already tried turning it on and off. Give it a try, but don't get your hopes up.

Unfortunately the 6 isn't waterproof or water resistant.

Apple may be able to offer an out of warranty replacement - it's often at their discretionary. It's not free but cheaper than their normal costs.

myhamsteratefreddiestarr · 15/01/2019 20:38

Also, I won’t give my 11yo an iPhone as she keeps dropping her existing cheap smart phone. Dropping/smashing/leaves it in Garden all night........

delboysskinandblister · 15/01/2019 20:39

i'm 42 and three quarters. I cannot afford an iphone. I got a second hand Nokia from ebay.

YABU to give an 11 year old an iphone. It's your own fault. Do not punish her for giving her an iphone.

Lesson here is you buy her a cheap phone and teach her to save for an iPhone. Then see how keen she is when it takes her months of saving....?

delboysskinandblister · 15/01/2019 20:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BumbleBeee69 · 15/01/2019 20:40

when you buy an expensive mobile phone, go the extra mile and buy an superb waterproof drop proof cover too. Flowers

RichSheffield · 15/01/2019 20:45

www.imend.com/repairs/iphone-6-repair/

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 15/01/2019 20:46

seriously, switch it off and leave it in a box/bag of rice in a warmish place for a few at least a week days, do not touch it

I did this with mine and it recovered in about three days...it was doing the not swiping, swiping itself thing. I thought it was fixed, but it started doing it again, when we were away so I resigned myself to the fact that it was buggered and told everyone to contact me via dh --and we had to make conversation rather than show one another cat vids on fb

anyway after three more days of sitting in the warm untouched I recharged it, just to see and it has been fine and dandy ever since.

I was going to claim on my bank account, we're with nationwide and the monthly fee is £13 so well worth it for phone insurance alone....it covers mine, dh;s and any at home students (so dd and ds2). ...loads of other perks too, car rescue, travel insurance, all sorts.... :o

Sexnotgender · 15/01/2019 20:49

My 15 year old has just got an iPhone 6 which I’d had for 4 years. There’s no chance I’d have given one to an 11 year old Confused

I’d try turning it off and leaving it to dry out for at least a week.

Hwory · 15/01/2019 20:55

I’m a 27 year old that’s had two iPhones end up dead in a toilet 🙈🙈 life happens even if your usually careful. Insurance is a must and you have to take the blame in not having it OP or at least taking out apple care plus.

Armadillostoes · 15/01/2019 20:57

Vindictive means inclined to take revenge. Buying your daughter an expensive phone doesn't mean that you aren't vindictive. Lots of posters have flagged up the issue that your DD feels unable to come to you when she makes a mistake because of your anger. Your pattern of behaviour had made her feel she has to lie.

She is 11, and had an accident which could have happened to anyone. The phone should have been insured and should have been given a decent cover. You are blaming her for a disaster you caused.

delboysskinandblister · 15/01/2019 20:57

Have you never lied? Yes you have. Have you never ruined anything shortly after being given something. Don't teach your kid to be like everyone else. Teach her that she has to save - even for an iPhone6. You're determined to make her birthday memorable aren't you. I don't blame your daughter for lying after your reaction.

She's 11. You are the adult.

LokiBear · 15/01/2019 21:01

Wine for you, op. You are getting a hard time. Give yourself a couple of hours to be angry - it is costing you money ans she lied about it. That is very frustrating. When you have calmed down, explain to your dd why her lying upset you. Hopefully, she won't lie again. Take the phone to repair shop and get her to contribute. You have to teach her responsibility. Still take her out for her birthday though. Once it is fixed, consider the insurance.

Armadillostoes · 15/01/2019 21:10

Loki the OP is getting a hard time because she isn't listening and her behaviour is really damaging. SHE made a series of mistakes and is now determined to take it out on her DD. Furthermore, it looks very much as though this is part of a wider pattern of behaviour. The lie which the DD told suggests this, but the OP's non-comprehension of the responded is the really telling part.

Ren8Bo · 15/01/2019 21:15

With an attitude like that are you sprised she hid it from you.
You gave a child an expensive phone without insurance.
Accidents happen especially when children are involved.

turn the phone off, put it in a large bag of rice for a week. Leave it alone don't turn it on or remove it from the rice. If after a week it still doesn't work then take it to apple.

Lesson learned and accidents will happen.

potatoscone · 15/01/2019 21:15

I’m not vindictive to my daughter at all I bought her the phone in the first place cos she was desperate to be like her friends but obviously I am upset/ angry that she’s ruined it within weeks!

Not sure anyone said you were vindictive. It's maddening to see you angry at her for what was essentially an accident, an accident you didn't buy insurance for.

Buying a child a mobile phone you can't afford so she can be like her friends is ridiculous.

Buying an expensive phone that you can't afford to replace without insurance is plain stupid.

Teach her you can't have things that are unaffordable.

potatoscone · 15/01/2019 21:16

You have to teach her responsibility.

I think OP needs a lesson in that themselves.