To take DS phone at night

[DfEisashambles]

DS just turned 17, slightly depressed at the prospect of lockdown for another 6 weeks.

Lately he’s been staying up till all hours (4am) FaceTiming a female friend and playing video games. He’s shattered the next day for online lessons.

Would it be unreasonable to take a phone at night from an older teen and do any of you do it?

He's a bit old to be taking a phone from. He could serve in the army, drive a car and have children.

I wouldn't take the phone away at that age but I would set the wifi to switch off at midnight so he'd need to use his data allowance. There'd also be a talk about the importance of school work and the contribution of sleep to mental health and "is this really wise", but as long as got himself up and on online at the required hour I'd let him decide for himself.

Yes it does seem excessive. He couldn’t get up for his first two lessons today. Even when he does get up he’s there but not really ‘there’.

Usually he’s an amazing student but lockdown is having that effect.

We take DSS's phone and he's 17. I know he's almost an adult but a) we want him to do well and he doesn't seem to be mature enough to make his own decisions and b) our house is so small, our rooms are next to each other and I'm fairly sure the neighbours will be able to hear when he's talking loudly and laughing at night.

He's always allowed to go to bed with it, but if it goes past a certain time and he's still audible DP goes in and takes it off him. So he gets the chance to use it quietly, and still blows it.

I agree that at his age it's too old to have things taken off him, but DP pays for it and we both have to get up in a morning even if DSS decides to stay in bed instead of doing his lessons!