If your kids use screens in a restaurant

[bravefox]

... at least have the decency to bring headphones or put them on silent.

Took my two out for a bite to eat after clubs this morning, would have been quieter to sit in an arcade. If you must let your kids use a tablet etc while they're waiting fine, but please don't make the rest of us listen to it.

YABU: deal with it
YANBU: turn the sound off!!

This drives me up the wall! How is it teaching how to behave at the table?

@bravefox I totally agree. But adults do this too. I am fed up of having to ask people to either use headphones or turn off devices as they watch video in public (on the train, in a queue in the pharmacy................)

I think headphones should be mandatory for all devices in public places. It's so antisocial and getting increasingly common. Public transport especially.

It's a hard no for me. If your kids need occupying then talk to them. Involve them in the conversation. Tablets have a place and it is not at the dinner table. Teach them some manners.

My son needs his tablet (he is autistic it helps him regulate) but I fully agree it’s volume off or headphones.

Yes if I were prime minister I would make it illegal to watch tablets/phones without headphones! So irritating and the height of bad manners.

Depends how old the child is.

My toddler cannot sit at a table in a restaurant for very long periods. They are too young to understand anything other than distraction.

We take toys etc, but so that we can actually eat our meal while it’s still warm, sometimes I let them watch some videos on my phone.

They sit still and I can eat.

I agree the sound should be off though.

Completely agree and it is getting more widespread. Adults on trains watching films, football matches etc. just wear headphones, it's not hard.

It's just rude. Adults should know better. Parents can find other ways to occupy their children, as they always did before screens were invented.... books, drawing, cards or.... you know, be radical.... conversation! My-adult godchildren were always great in restaurants as kids, and not a screen in sight. It's so depressing to see parents just ignoring their kids and giving them a phone - how will they ever learn social skills?

Lazy parenting. I have twins (NT) and we have never let them have screens at a restaurant. We took colouring books / crayons and paper, small toys and interacted with them. I had a bag of toys and things ready to go for this purpose. Also, went at appropriate times when they were ready to eat, and were not needing a nap.
It’s not that hard, but it takes a little organisation and support from both parents.

I challenge parents on this ALL THE FREAKING TIME (after a couple of pointed looks in case they don’t realise it’s as it’s loud as it is). If it’s on an aircraft I ask the flight crew to do it. I urge you all to do the same. Totally get the handiness of screens but I don’t want to hear second hand noise from whatever they are watching.

I've just remembered, one kid (a bit older) was on a laptop 😬

No need for screens at the dinner table. If kids need distracting take colouring books or small toys and games.

Not just kids. We took friends for lunch in a nice pub, git at the next table was out with wife, children and grandmother, he spent the whole time watching a car race, sound up, no ear thingies. I asked the staff to tell him to button it.

Of course you aren't being unreasonable OP. Sound off or headphones should be basic manners.

I dont like seeing kids on screens in restaurants more generally though. I get that they can be a lifeline for ND kids in particular, they have their place, but I fear many kids are too reliant on them - including my own.

We don't do them in restaurants, that's our line in the sand. There are lots of other ways to keep kids occupied.

Not just kids, everyone. And anywhere where the public has to be subjected to it, especially in places they can't escape.

I agree. Mine is young and isn’t into colouring in etc yet and I don’t want to resort to putting an iPad or phone in front of them. It’s not fair on them to expect to sit quietly for an hour or so, so we have just stopped going out for lunches/dinners temporarily (unless a quick cafe stop). Our time will come again!

An adult was doing this in the restaurant I was in at lunch today. The children were both being quiet and not on a screen. People do it on trains, planes, in hospitals etc. They might as well be going around with a sticker on their forehead saying ‘I’m a really annoying, clueless person’ because that is what everyone is thinking.

We toys etc, but so that we can actually eat our meal while it’s still warm, sometimes I let them watch some videos on my phone.
Why on earth do people give toddlers phones to watch. They will never learn to sit at a table with out them. Parents are to reliant on them to keep them occupied. You see them in the supermarket and even in waiting rooms or just being pushed around. Parents don't seem to talk to their children anymore.

My DD has never been allowed screens in a restaurant, why begin this habit in the first place? If your child can’t sit in a restaurant without a screen then don’t take them to a restaurant.

In exactly the same situation. And, when we do venture back into restaurants, it'll be fun - teaching them how to sit, eat, converse and, remembering how to politely chase a toddler on the loose in the wild.

This is exactly right, if they’re too young to sit still etc and it makes the experience far from enjoyable then you just need to leave it for a bit. I’ve left restaurants if I’ve needed to rather than resort to screens. It’s definitely worth it so that your child knows where screens are not acceptable to use. My DD is 7 now and doesn’t even ask. Same in the car, have never allowed screens there either.

It’s not just the kids, the kids are only copying the adult behaviour. If I can hear the sound of child’s choice of entertainment coming from a device, you can usually bet the adult is too busy on their own device to notice any noise from their own child. Zombie parenting.

Unless a last resort, it makes me so sad to see kids on phones. Talk to them!! Talk toys, colouring, stickers, games you can play together. Makes me so worried for the future of young kids today.