Devices in bedrooms. When did you allow it?

[RaspberrySweeties]

My DS is nearly 16 and I've realised I've had enough about the 'phone in room overnight' battle when he has school the next day.

I've compromised with him for the last year and allowed him to have it during holidays and at weekends and the battle was about to start again as he returned to school this week.

So I've bitten the bullet and said he can have it and he can put into practice this 'self regulation' he assures me he will do and sleep at a sensible time

He's only watching football and gaming clips online or films so that's not really been my concern about the content he's looking at - my concern has always been enough sleep before school! However I realise there comes a time when he has to decide for himself, so, providing he is up for school at 7am, it's time for him to make his own choices

Tbf, he's been up fine all week but I still don't particularly like it, however it was time to make a proactive decision as I'd rather that than him sneaking about behind my back and age (almost) 16 seems about right

How about you? What do you do?

what don't you like about it if he's still been getting up for school? there's nothing wrong with his behaviour since having the phone in his room plus he's 16 (or nearly) had to happen sometime

Until they had finished their GCSE’s they didn’t have their phones at night. They were switched off and left downstairs.

My 14yo and 16yo have theirs in their rooms but my 12yo leaves his downstairs. My DC are pretty sensible though.

Mine had them in their rooms as soon as they were allowed them (easier as they were 10&12 before they got basic tablets, smart phones a bit older) never been an issue. I trust them and they never abused it

Downstairs. My kids are
(Relatively) sensible but their phones ping at 1/2/3 in the morning. Not happening in the bedroom when they need to sleep.

@lailamaria well it's only been a few days of the school year so far!

As to what I don't like about it - hmm not entirely sure! I'd just rather he was asleep at 11pm ish and not watching football tik toks or gaming clips!

But I've proactively suggested it because I'd rather that than be nagged to death, have to dig my heels in and then have him sneaking about - so I do understand that he's of an age where his actions have consequences that only he can deal with (ie potential tiredness)

@abovedecknotbelow he has the phone on silent so that's something I suppose

Mine was when they’d finished GECEs.

I still don’t take my phone upstairs to bed! It’s too much of a temptation and I’m 56😂

*GCSEs!

When they finished their GCSE’s

My 16 yr old doesn't have his phone or laptop in his room. We used to allow it, but it had a big impact on his mental health. He had started messaging his friends in the middle of the night, watching endless streams and YouTube clips. By having his devices in his room, it meant we hardly ever saw him and that lack of social time lowered his mood even more.

Now, he has to be downstairs to use them and it has made a massive difference. His room is a device free zone (he only has a tv) and it gives him the chance to relax without the pressures of social media and answering random WhatsApps at all hours.

We practise what we preach though, and don't have our devices upstairs either.

I’ve always allowed it. They’re sensible and we’ve never had any issues.