Hello,
I'm new to the site and as you can guess by my Username, I'm struggling with my two Step Children.
Both live with their Father and myself and each have a device. One is 12 and the other is 9.
Even though they have friends, they don't go out preferring to spend time in their rooms playing games and chatting via Apps.
Their world seems to revolve around their device and no matter what Dad and I do, they will reach for their devices as soon as they can.
12yr old has had hers since September. She has broken her screen twice (And paid for repairs with her own pocket money in an attempt to try and teach her to look after it) and regularly gets it taken off her because she doesn't do as she is told. By her own admission she is nothing without her phone but doesn't appreciate it in any way.
9yr old is the exact opposite. He likes his device and looks after it, doesn't need to have it taken off him because he does as he is told and can happily live without it.
12Yr old has her phone Password Protected to the hilt so we are not 100% sure she is safe on it. She has been taught internet safety by School and Parents but Dad and I still worry.
Peer Pressure plays a big part of it I know, but please if any other parents/carers can offer any advice, it would be very much appreciated.
Thank you