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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Should I allow my 14 year old DD use Youtube?

47 replies

IrishMummy1974 · 29/04/2018 20:37

I haven’t allowed any of my children use the internet except for school projects etc. however my 14 year old DD is begging me to let her use YouTube? I am very wary. She doesn’t have a smartphone (I won’t let her) and has never used the internet unsupervised. She claims she wants to watch the bloggers her friends talk about like Zoella but honestly I’m not sure about them at all?? Advice??

OP posts:
LolitaLempicka · 29/04/2018 20:39

Does she not have friends? Go to school? I am sure she has used the internet unsupervised. She is 14, what are you afraid of?

feathermucker · 29/04/2018 20:39

My 11 year old watches stuff on YouTube and there's never been a problem.....mainly football videos though.

Maybe set some ground rules or sit there with her at first?

Anasnake · 29/04/2018 20:39

Seriously??

Fairylea · 29/04/2018 20:40

I’m not even sure this is real... most 14 year olds have snapchat, Instagram, Facebook etc etc unlimited you tube. Almost all of them have smartphones of some sort. I think to be honest if you don’t let your teen have at least some access to these things you are being a bit unfair as it’s such a huge part of the whole teen culture. By all means have some ground rules - we have a 14 year old and she has to leave her phone and iPad downstairs charging overnight so she isn’t on it all night- but certainly allow something!

blueskyinmarch · 29/04/2018 20:40

Never used the internet unsupervised at 14??? That seems very draconian. Let her look up Youtube videos. I am willing to bet she is on it constantly when with her friends.

NC4Now · 29/04/2018 20:40

I think you’ve done very well to get to 14!

Yes, I’d allow it. Just flick through her history every now and again.

sonlypuppyfat · 29/04/2018 20:41

Are you joking? What do you think she'll look at?

Anasnake · 29/04/2018 20:41

Have you ever been on YouTube op ?

Fatted · 29/04/2018 20:42

I'm suddenly feeling like a terrible parent because I let my 5yo watch PJ masks videos on Youtube!

Fairylea · 29/04/2018 20:42

If she has friends - and I hope she does- then she will have been on it. Lots.

I just showed this thread to my 14 year old and she was amazed! She said “that poor girl”!

Caaarrrl · 29/04/2018 20:42

last time a situation like this was discussed it was reverse.

CuntPuffin · 29/04/2018 20:44

Got to be a reverse. Tell your mum to unclench. Or you'll go off the rails the moment you leave home!

zen1 · 29/04/2018 20:45

Really? So you sit with her and supervise her internet usage for all her school projects?
I can’t believe that a 14 year old has never used the Internet unsupervised.

peterpanwendy · 29/04/2018 20:45

Why don't you watch one of the videos she's asking about and decide for yourself? They are harmless and I agree you should let her as it's a huge part of teen culture.

blueskyinmarch · 29/04/2018 20:45

In a few years she will be thinking pf heading off to uni and will really need to have a handle on how to manage social media and using the internet safely. By supervising her so closely at age 14 she will never be able to navigate her way around and use the internet wisely. It's a bot like never, ever allowing a teenager out on their own, they will never learn by their mistakes. Are you controlling like this in other areas of her life?

ilovewelshrarebit123 · 29/04/2018 20:47

Really! My 11 year old has my old iPhone, kids YouTube and Instagram.

I have the security all set up and the deal is I can check her phone whenever I like. She also knows what has been given can be taken away.

I agree, unclench and let her live a bit!

Bimberley · 29/04/2018 20:50

Um my 8 and 6 year old watch YouTube.

CountFosco · 29/04/2018 20:51

My 5 year old watches stuff on youtube Confused. They have to use computers in public areas (no disappearing off to the bedroom with the ipad and too young for mobiles) so we know what they are doing and we have strong parental controls (DH works in IT so he's shit hot on that). We (and school) talk to them a lot about internet safety and the eldest (10) and I have had discussions about porn and sharing images. I think if you have an ongoing discussion with them about the internet you can allow them controlled access, they need the respect that they will behave responsibly.

Noqonterfy · 29/04/2018 20:53

Crikey. My ten year old has her own YouTube account. I monitor what goes on there and she is extremely trustworthy so there has never been a problem.

Anasnake · 29/04/2018 20:55

I think someone's taking the piss Hmm

Voice0fReason · 29/04/2018 22:24

You're doing a great job of teaching her how to keep safe online and preparing her for adulthood!
Maybe she'll never have to use the internet when she's an adult.

RBBMummy · 29/04/2018 22:32

Unless you live in Amish country she uses the internet and watches YouTube unattended all the time

NapQueen · 29/04/2018 22:33

My kids are 3 and 6. They love "New Tube" as they call it.

NapQueen · 29/04/2018 22:34

Love this

Should I allow my 14 year old DD use Youtube?
TheIsland · 29/04/2018 22:36

What are you wary of?

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