Loud Ipads/ phones being used to entertain children in restaurants

[SilverDoublet]

I was in a restaurant recently, I don't often get out and was out with my son aged 6 while waiting to collect my older child. Our food had just arrived when we noticed some very annoying loud noise coming from the table next to us, sounded liked people shouting and screaming. It was hard to relax and eat with the noise. It turned out it was a child watching YouTube while eating. I politely asked if the parents could maybe turn it down a little and was told no, that unfortunately the child can only eat while watching a screen. Was I being unreasonable to ask to turn it down a little?

From the OP: "Our food had just arrived when we noticed some very annoying loud noise coming from the table next to us"

Not a law, obviously, but surely common courtesy?
These days, a meal out is a real treat for a lot of people. To spoil it by allowing noisy screens is really inconsiderate. Isn’t that obvious?
No issue with kids watching screens in restaurants if that’s what it takes for mum and dad to get to enjoy their meal but what’s wrong with headphones?

Why on earth do people feel entitled to subject their racket on other people

Your child has a condition that means he/she needs an iPad with headphones to cope with being in a restaurant? No judgement from me. Your child has a condition that means they need an iPad on loudspeaker but we're in a McDonalds or similar? Knock yourself out.

Your child has a condition where they need an iPad on loudspeaker and we're in a restaurant where that's inappropriate and is bothering other patrons? Yes, I'll be unhappy about that. Just as I'd be unhappy if you'd brought a crying baby with you. If that makes you see me as a judgy fucker then so be it.

Sorry to have made you think I was calling YOU a judgy fucker - I meant the person I initially replied to.

I don't agree with iPads on loudspeaker. I think it's unfair to disrupt other people no matter what kind of restaurant or public environment you're in (even if it's a fast food restaurant!). But I think that the person I replied to was being unfairly judgemental

Aw, if he enjoys going to restaurants and you can afford it, take your DC. Nothing wrong with headphones and a device. My now teen still does the same. Don’t let other people put you off.

As for devices without headphones, I think people have forgotten what they are. Restaurants, hospitals, public transport etc. I really don’t understand why people don’t use headphones, unless it’s because devices need headphone adapters and they can’t be arsed to buy them? I know the newer Apple devices need them.

Yeah @Theslummymummy your username says it all. We don't want to hear your kids screens or your brats shouting and screaming either. OK?

Why would the child be screaming ? If a child is too distressed to eat quietly in a restaurant then don’t take them to a restaurant as it’s making them uncomfortable. I can’t imagine my need for a meal overriding my child’s need to feel safe .

@GarlicBreadStan or you could parent without using a iPad

Read my other comment. And darling, try not to be ableist. It's not a good look

This!

“You don’t get to dictate that sort of thing”

You don’t get to ruin a public environment for everyone else with your shitty parenting. Get them headphones.

The kind of parents who let their children use iPads in restaurants will not respond to your requests to turn the volume down. You probably interrupted them while they were busy on their phones.

I accept children are allowed in public spaces and are learning social etiquette, but I wish we’d stop pretending it’s acceptable to let your little treasure watch Peppa Pig at full volume in a restaurant. Either put headphones on your child if they absolutely must come, or leave them at home.

Headphones should be used in places like restaurants. It's what we do, though they go away when eating.

Yanbu. Utterly appalling parenting from the other table. If the kid is that unsocialised they should not be out in public.

Probably prefer them eating, and talking at a reasonable volume.

It’s not ableist to suggest that it’s wrong to take a child to a venue that he finds deeply distressing!

2 DC with SEN here. Screens in restaurants were only ever allowed after eating, maybe while grown ups were chatting, and there was no watching anything without headphones. We're a ND family and we all use ear defenders in public places because everyone seems to be so damn loud. It's not just inconsiderate parents letting their kids do this in restaurants, it's on public transport, in shops, every bloody where, and adults doing it too. Me, me, me, I'll do whatever I like, bugger anyone else, and they teach their kids the same.

I said pp not OP

So no law then. In fact, the opposite is true.

There is no reason a child needs volume without headphones in public and if a child is screaming they shoulf be removed by the parents it is really that simple

Why do the needs of a SN child who can’t be in a restaurant without a loud device get prioritised above those people whose special needs means they can’t cope with this? There are many such people around for which that sort and volume of noise is just intolerable.

You're a lazy parent too then?

No.
Eating out involves respect for all the other people eating out.
If people can only eat with a screen if front of them they need to wear headphones.
Its not hard.

You are not being unreasonable. It's not just kids/parents though. I had to tell a woman on an (overnight) flight the other day to put head phones on if she wanted to watch a movie on her phone.

A woman on the train the other day was playing a game full volume, was so irritating too. I just don't think some people get the etiquette!