Do you give out your WiFi password to your children's friends?

[Lindy2]

DS11 has had some friends over this weekend. They were mostly playing some board games, watching films, eating all my food etc.

One of them asked for our WiFi password within a few minutes of arriving. I didn't really feel comfortable giving them our password so I told them I had forgotten it.

That particular friend didn't stay very long as apparently they had planned to play on their phone for their entire visit but couldn't do that without our WiFi password.

The other kids visiting all seemed fine without it and it was actually very nice to see them doing stuff other than being on screens all the time. DS does lots of screen time but did actually want to do other things with their friends this weekend.

DS is my eldest and due to all the Covid stuff it's been quite a while since he had a group of friends together in the house for a longish visit. Therefore, possibly I'm out of touch with what most other people do for teens/preteens but is everyone else handing out WiFi passwords on request or was it a bit of a cheeky request?

It felt a bit cheeky but I can't really pinpoint why. The only other house that I have a WiFi code for is my mum's house. I wouldn't ask friends for their passwords if I was visiting.

I think you are really behind the times if you think they will carry on with things like board games... 🤔 As they get older they will be on the internet more and more, the days of Cluedo and Draughts are numbered surely?

Why not let them choose their own activities?

My 2 are older but I always offer the WiFi password when their friends arrive and I would have done at 11 too to anyone who came with a phone. Most of the DC’s friends had phones in Year 6.

I know your DC is only 11 but honestly, as a mum of a 14 year old don't try and Police their friend's screen time at your house- they will stop coming. Like your DC my DD is quite happy to be without her phone and spends a lot of time playing sport but has one friends house she doesn't go to anymore because the mum made them play board games at a sleepover when they just wanted to make tiktoks. I've long given up trying to imprint my 90's childhood on my 2008 born kid!

And it was really not a cheeky request, it’s not as though it costs you anything.

Why wouldn't you give it to them?

My DS would give it to his mates, I don’t mind. My friends often ask as well when they visit. Where we live cell signal isn’t always strong so wifi is usually necessary

Not giving the WiFi password is like not letting a guest use your toilet.
Can't even begin to understand why you think it's cheeky

Not every single caller, but yes for friends who are frequent visitors and established boy/girlfriends

Tbh, DC would probably just do it anyhow

All my dd's friends have our wifi code.

I'm not sure why it's cheeky. I agree nice that the children had time to play.

I would always offer WiFi password

Every single one of my kids friends have our wifi in their phones. Very weird to refuse.

Mine are a little young for wifi passwords but I always give it to guests and (mainly younger) family members who ask for it. What do you think they're going to do with it?

Why is it a cheeky request?

Of course I would otherwise it would be controlling and unwelcoming.

I’m on 3 and my signal is rubbish. Sat in my house I’m 90% of my time on WiFi calling so would ask for a code if I was at someone’s house for a while

Of course

Eh? Of course. Why ever would you not?

Of course I would allow it

rhis reminds me of the thread in aibu when a friend staying the night asked for friends password

the host thought it was rude

i always ask for the password if in the house a few hours

yes nice they played and not screen time all the time but do let them have next time

that’s if they come again lol

I enter it into their device for them -don’t want give it out willy nilly .
Having said which, I see your point about not wanting them to all vanish into their devices at this age, rather than playing ‘properly’.

My daughter's friends of a similar age are welcome to it, we know each other well so they weren't afraid to ask. Only one did from memory, as the others had reception.

We have good family friends with a 15 yr old who often tags along when they visit, I automatically give it to him if it has changed since they last came as he's a bit too old to want to play with my kids and our mobile reception is dire.

I'd be disappointed someone left because they didn't have it however.

Can’t imagine saying no to this, how very odd, and really quite controlling to decide how these kids need to spend their time playing.

Of course, why would you not? We give out a guest WIFI though. No WIFI is as if you deny them the use of the bathroom or access to the water tap 😂

Ours is stuck on the fridge for anyone who wants it 😀
I do know what you mean though OP. At that age I’d be intervening if they were just sitting there on their phones the whole time and suggesting outdoor games etc.

TBH it's not even passwords anymore but sharing it via QR codes

Odd - of course I do... its just the WiFi, not password to my online banking or pornhub account.