Restricting holiday phone use

[mugofteathanks]

Would I be aibu to only allow my 15 year old daughter access to her phone for an hour a day on holiday . Otherwise her head will be buried in it all day long . However is it a bit strict? Any suggestions . We also leave our phones back at the hotel until the evening . Thanks .

As I said, how DID people cope before the internet, and smartphones??!!!

I remember my mum in mid 90's spending a small fortune on prepay phone cards while in Italy because there was a very important meeting at work which she couldn't attend in person.

So no, it wasn't heaven before smart phones, there were plenty of quite expensive inconveniences.

People did cope without smart phones, but they can and do make life easier.

The idea of not being 'allowed' to use a phone because you are on holiday sounds thoroughly miserable to me. It's not so much the absence of the phone but the ridiculous controlling behaviour that would breed misery.

Can people not just relax a bit? Even on holiday?

The pp who has strict phone checking times

I remember my mum in mid 90's spending a small fortune on prepay phone cards while in Italy because there was a very important meeting at work which she couldn't attend in person.

WTF?

This has never happened to anyone I know. Buying tons of phone cards for the phone box so they can take part in their works meeting whilst on holiday in another country... Really...... ???

As I said, people coped before smartphones and the internet, and it's ridiculous that people are so obsessed that they cannot go an HOUR without looking at it, because they just HAVE to check their tweets, FB messages, bank account etc etc.... Even when on holiday with their family. Smartphones are the bane of society IMO.

The world turned just fine before smartphones, people communicated just fine, businesses, banks, shops etc etc all ran successfully, so did schools, colleges, and universities They also all ran fine before the internet!

Yeah the internet is handy to find out information easier, and chat on message forums, and keep in touch a BIT more with relatives and friends far away (or who you just don't see often,) but to suggest it's essential to have a smartphone on holiday is a joke, and is actually quite worrying that people are THAT obsessed!!!

This has never happened to anyone I know. Buying tons of phone cards for the phone box so they can take part in their works meeting whilst on holiday in another country... Really...... ???
Yes, she hogged the phone in the local post office, because it was that important for her to participate in that particular thing at work. And yes, it was a time before mobile phones were a thing.

to suggest it's essential to have a smartphone on holiday is a joke, and is actually quite worrying that people are THAT obsessed!!!
You're being ridiculous. my phone does many things and has many uses. Actually replaces many things that I would otherwise have to carry or pay for. Back to developing film cameras? Then finding out all your photos are shite? Or lugging a bulky camcorder? Buy a ton of maps and tour guide books? oh, and if your card gets stolen, just pray that nobody withdraws cash, because you cannot block it. NO, THANK YOU.

PMSL! ^ 😂😂😂

Good luck with the rest of your life @FishCanFly

You're gonna need it.

I don't see why I should restrict and inconvenience myself just because the people back in the stone age did

Of course it's fine! People act as if their phone is ansolutely vital to survival, or a basic right like food and sleep. It isn't .

I'd say that was a bit harsh...

My DD is 15 and similarly attached to her phone, but when we go away I see it as up to me to keep her interested enough that she doesn't want to be on her phone all the time! Less confrontation and way more fun!

It's the wee kids stuck to their electronic devices I feel sorry for. It's not controlling to try and curb kids addictions.

Mines and DP's phones are locked in the safe/room whilst we're out during the day, we check them before we go for evening meal and in the morning. There is no need to be on phones all day whatever your age

Yes of course restricting phone use is controlling. But parents are meant to be controlling. There are plenty of things parents restrict, control,or don't let their children do. It's our job as parents to do this.

Do people whose children have unrestricted access to phones let their children do anything they like in other areas of their lives?

@FishCanFly

I don't see why I should restrict and inconvenience myself just because the people back in the stone age did.

Bless.....

You just get funnier by the minute .

You sound like my 15 year old niece. 'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! The internet is off for an HOUR, and my smartphone battery is dead.....!!!!! KILL ME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!' 😱😱😱

'Seriously.......... THE WORLD IS GOING TO END!'

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

😂😂😂

@Vulpine

It's the wee kids stuck to their electronic devices I feel sorry for. It's not controlling to try and curb kids addictions.

There are a few wee kids on here, who are stuck to their electronic devices.

Makes me fear for humanity. There is some 'black mirror' shit going on right here...

I don't have anything to add to the pp suggestions about how to deal with teen phone use.

I am however crying with laughter about the idea of travellers cheques and the incredulity that anyone may need to be contactable for work purposes displayed by crazyasafox.

I'm self employed and am actually able to go away more due to the fact that I'm available to deal with work whilst I'm away sometimes. This isn't a new thing though, both my parents also ran their own businesses and had to be contactable whilst away in the 80's.

'Seriously.......... THE WORLD IS GOING TO END!'

very seriously. if I want to watch youtube funny cat videos while i'm sitting on the loo in a cruise ship, I don't need any busybodies telling me how I should "relax". I pay for that privilege anyways.

My daughters (adults) and I often play with our phones when we sit down
for lunch when we are out. I sometimes
Wonder if people think we are being rude to one another but we literally chat nonstop the rest of the day (it's relentless) I find sitting down and zoning out for a while on our phones relaxing.

When we are with the rest of the family we don't do it as meal times are the main time we all get together and socialise.

Crazy as a fox - yes indeed maybe charlie brookers next plot should revolve around mumsnetters!

If they are just laz9ng round the pool then surely how they entertain themselves is up to them? Agree no phones at dinner, and I'd be tempted to take deck of cards down when having evening drinks. I'd also get them involved in any trips out - agree to a set amount they choose and are phone free .

I'd rather mine read books or did activities than stare at a screen for the hols

Yes I check my bank account every day, what's wrong with that? I check it every morning when I'm at him, being on holiday makes no difference. Can see if direct debits are off etc.

And what does it matter how people coped without phones and the Internet, we dont need to now!

And just because I take my phone on holiday to use duesnt mean I dont take books to read to, I like real books and being on huday is a great opportunity to get through 4 or 5. It's not 1 thing or the other

Places to visit........ Ask the hotel receptionist, get a bunch of leaflets off the reception desk, OR look before you leave home

We holiday in gites in rural France generally. Killing myself laughing here that just because I check my bank every day I can't afford to go on holiday!

And since we do a lot of driving through rural France, Italy and Switzerland having a phone is essential in case we need to contact the breakdown car service.

Killing myself laughing here that just because I check my bank every day I can't afford to go on holiday!
Or that people have jobs which are actually important and even a family holiday needs to be interrupted to make a phonecall

DH moaned last year about DD being on her phone on the beach because it was 'unsociable' ...until I pointed out that both of us (DH and I) had spent the previous hour reading, so what was the difference?