Aibu to not want to let teens have google/YouTube on phone?

[Bbgy]

I feel I am being overly harsh as their friends all have this. How do people allow this safely though? Eldest just turned 13 so I am just beginning this journey. I worry about them being able to look up anything at all and also the addictive nature of the internet access

they do have phones and can message friends, take photos etc but that’s all they have access to at the moment

Yes I fell for that one already I have them Snapchat as apparently everyone else had it. Then immediately regretted it after I realised it is more than just a messaging app

Pathetic. They're looking at YouTube not Debbie does Dallas.
Although they might watch DDD on their mates phone/iPad etc.
Stop being so controlling.
The more you try to ban something, the more they'll seek it out.

Kate Winslet was talking about children and Internet safety a few days ago. She thinks that in years to come, our children will ask us why we didn't protect them more from harmful online content when they were children.

@MissVantaBlack Katherine Birbalsingh isn't a "social media chief", she's a random headteacher whose fringe views on various issues get her in the papers a lot.

OP. Looking stuff up on google, I.e. reseaching things you're interested in, is a form of reading. You need to put parental controls on their access, not to ban them from learning anything that doesn't come from school. You're on the brink of creating those weird kids we all went to school with who weren't allowed to watch telly or choose their own library books and all went off the rails when they turned 18.

You’re being controlling. YouTube is the thing now for children, in the same way we watched crap on cbbc or whatever. Your DC is a teenager so should definitely be watching YouTube just as all of their friends will have been for many years.

Thanks I appreciate your responses even the ones disagreeing with me. I just wanted to gauge what is normal here and I am looking for advice. I am not saying my way is the right way, that’s why I asked.

they do have YouTube on their iPads which I limit to about an hour a day.

www.internetmatters.org/hub/guidance/youtube-tips-and-tricks-to-keep-your-children-entertained-and-safe/

Mine have iphones. You can set them so when they use search engines on their phones inappropriate content doesn't come up.

OP I can guarantee that the majority of those who have said YABU have never had a 13 year old and probably still in toddlerhood.

YANBU. I can't trust my nearly-teen with YouTube or Google.
I have tried, he has failed.

My eldest was the same. He couldn't be trusted until he was 14..... and even then 🙄

wtf??

A parent being concerned with online safety is deemed as controlling?

ive heard it all now.

Either your kids are younger than teens or they are simply getting away with it and you haven't a clue.

Yes I am aware they can access it elsewhere but part of my issue if the constant desire to be watching stuff and looking stuff up instead of relaxing/reading doing homework etc

My Dd does her homework with her phone. For research and Show my Himework app from school.

She is permanently attached to her phone in one hand and a novel in the other.

Her relaxation is YouTube gamers.

She’s 16. She even managed to get all her GCSE whilst having Google/YouTube.

@badgermushrooms Katharine Birbalsingh is indeed a headteacher, but she also happens to be Chair of the Social Mobility Commission (my phone changed social mobility to social media)

Look together at studied that show the affects screens have on the brain. Including addiction. Maybe you could role model and decide you want a phone like theirs too.5
That you have health concerns, so they are limited to getting out the laptop or something when they search and have a maximum amount of time.
They are still children, you need to do what you think is best for them, not to match what their mates are up too.