To ask about screen time...again (teen)

[Imustbemad00]

I think I may have posted something similar before but it’s come up again and I genuinely don’t know if I’m being unreasonable.

Do you limit your teens screen time? I’m mostly talking about phones rather than tablets or computers. Don’t have games consoles in my house so not an issue.

If you do limit it, or have rules around it, how and what are they?

Again, I’m talking about phones, and teenagers. Comparing to a 10 or 11 year old won’t be the same things as I think it really only becomes a big thing a little way into secondary school.

We don't limit phone time because at the moment we don't need to, but I would if I needed to.

The test for me is:

School going well, homework done.
Behaviour good.
Chores done.
Not using it at meal times or when I'm trying to talk to them.
Range of hobbies/other activities.
Getting enough sleep (i.e. not using it all night).

If all that is done/ok then no limits on phone time for the teens.

I agree with nuff

I don't limit screen time. But my teen dd isn't really into social media or gaming. On her phone she watches current affairs videos/ various tutorials/ fun videos/reads online. Other than screentime, when she's at home she listens to music, reads or draws. She's mostly happy and chilled and I've never really felt the need to set limits. She seems to be able to set her own limits without me getting involved.

I’m sort of inclined to agree... but the phone seems almost like an addiction. She’s glued to it a lot of the time. No hobbies or activities but does go out and meet friends.
There also seems to be a lot of drama and bitchiness on various social media platforms. I hate it, wish I could take it away altogether.

Rules for both 14 & 12 y/o - phones out of bedroom at 9pm. I switch them off and charge them overnight downstairs. I have family settings on the 12y/o phone and we limit app use to 3 hours a day. That’s a recent limit because she is becoming addicted and going into meltdown over access to phone. She’s going with it because the alternative is we take it away completely. 14 y/o is ok at self regulation outside of the no phones after 9pm enforced by parents rule, so no real limits. I don’t allow phones at the table at meals either.

I have the phone set to shut off at 9pm too using screen time.
For context, today she has used 6.5 hours.
3.5 of that is on social media which also includes iMessage.
He rest is made up of 20 mins here and there including looking at trainers, a game, and listening to music.
We was actually out shopping from 11-5 today though so it would of been more if at home.

6.5 hours is massive!

The social media is limited to 3.5 hours otherwise it would of been more. Even whilst she’s chatting on the phone, she’ll have headphones in or have it on loudspeaker so she can still scroll through stuff.

I think it’s bad but just trying to get perspective.

I don't limit. Apart from - screens off 9pm and mealtimes.

Offspring are 14 and 12 and gamers, so it's computers / ipads rather than phones. They don't use social media (not interested).

I think I’d be less concerned if it was gaming rather than social media but I may change my mind in a few years as my youngest is already showing an interest in games at the age of 6

My 13 yo isn't allowed social media other than what's app, which makes screen time self limiting. She isn't allowed her phone in her room overnight. I check it intermittently- mostly so she knows I mean it when I say I might.

Snapchat is the work of the devil! All hell would break lose if I didn’t allow social media. It’s how they all communicate.

My daughter (13) isn’t into social media and my son (15) does snapchat but mostly texts his girlfriend. I find they use computers and phone mostly to watch Netflix and the like rather than the tv. They don’t do games. I don’t limit the time as they have outside interests and aren’t obsessed. However I do use parental controls- gambling, violence and porn sites are blocked.

Having seen the stuff that goes on what's app, I am happy to invoke the wrath of all the gods. She will not be getting Snapchat or Instagram until I feel it is appropriate. She knows that as I pay the bill, she either goes by my rules or has a non smart phone.

Well she’s clocked up 7 hours today and there was yet another Snapchat drama