Screen rules 13 year old no siblings

[VelvetLampshade]

Just that really. What do you do?

I try to;

create lots of other opportunities for activities.
no screens in the morning until ready and only if he does leave on time and it doesn’t slow him down.
no screens after 9. 10 on a Friday night.

No screens in bedroom.

YouTube shorts - no
Fortnite limit to 3 games before a break.
Minecraft fine.
playing whilst chatting to others fine.
no to social media.
TV and youtube videos fine.

What do you all think? Reasonable?

Sounds reasonable to me.

I was recently absolutely astonished at the content of a YouTube Short that my 5 year old DS watched! He was so scared by it, he didn’t even object when I deleted YouTube entirely from the iPad.

He’s a different boy since I did that. No longer pesters for the iPad or tries to persuade me to let him watch it with meals or anything. Those shorts are addictive and it’s scary and banning those is definitely a good step!

Thanks.

He sneaks on shorts but comes off as soon as I spot him. But yes, nothing good in these short videos. Chewing gum for the brain but more addictive.

Sounds reasonable. I allow you tube shorts but not Fortnite but otherwise similar list.

What does your son think about it? How is his school work and behaviour if you're less restrictive? How do you weigh up the pros/cons of him being dishonest/sneaking YouTube shorts or whatever else you don't know about versus protecting him from the dangers of the internet?

My DC are allowed phone and laptop in their room, social media, I don't impose time limits, I don't check their phone or search history. I do insist on certain settings on Snapchat - eg no location. We do talk very frankly and very honestly a lot about all sorts of perceived dangers and harms. It works for us, but won't work for all.

So more freedom but also more taking about and openess about things? I like that idea. He isn’t great with string boundaries. Much better with a more respectful and less top down approach. So he can take responsibility for himself.

Certainly try it and see where you get, but be upfront about reimposing all the restrictions if he can't be responsible/honest and won't talk with you about the things that need to be talked about.

This also relies on you (and your partner) being confident and able to be very frank talking about about privacy, doxing, sending/recieving nudes or unwanted images, grooming, paedophiles, porn, sex, drugs, self harm, eating disorders, violence... You have to have the conversations before you think you need to or it's too late