Please or to access all these features

Child mental health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Son disinterested in everything

7 replies

Weasel79 · 29/10/2022 18:50

My son is almost 12, and over the past year he has become more and more disinterested with everything. He has no interests, doesn’t like sport, doesn’t really have any close friends, and all he wants to do is look at TikTok on his iPad. He sends hours a day doing this.He is going through puberty so there’s the possibility that this is perfectly normal, but I just feel frustrated that he doesn’t seem to be getting the most out of life. I often suggest new activities he could try but he just says ‘why would I want to do that?’. I see kids his age out on their bikes, at the park, playing football etc and I just think it’s a shame he won’t do anything. I told him to think of a hobby that he would like to do any he said he didn’t like anything. I signed him up to junior lifesaving which he does once a week but he says he hates it. Argh! Am I worrying needlessly or do you think I need to keep pushing him? He actually seems a bit depressed so I don’t know how to help him.

OP posts:
GrazingSheep · 29/10/2022 18:53

I’d remove the iPad

TooHotToRamble · 29/10/2022 18:56

Yes, remove the iPad.

frazzledbutcalm · 29/10/2022 18:56

I think you’re worrying needlessly. If he wants to do something he will. Life is difficult for youngsters nowadays, he could just need downtime from the constant roller coaster of school life. My son was the same - he changed aged 15 and became more confident in himself and more sociable. He’s now 17, is working, very talkative/sociable. He’s come on leaps and bounds since his younger days.

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 29/10/2022 18:57

I would remove it as well. He's become addicted and unfortunately you have to stop that addiction otherwise he will get worse and worse.

Namechangehereandnow · 29/10/2022 19:00

Why would you remove his one comfort and escape? Not every child is sporty. Not every child is outdoorsy. Not every child wants/needs company. Not every child needs to attend clubs. Some children like their own company, winding down with light hearted entertainment.

GrazingSheep · 29/10/2022 19:14

Hours on Tiktok is not good for anyone least of all a child with a developing brain.

Namechangehereandnow · 01/11/2022 08:56

Instead of removing - limit the time. You can’t just remove the only one thing he’s interested in.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page