Thread

We went with when they could stay home by themselves. That’s probably different for every kid

Dad here, assume that's okay😁. First child 14, now an adult and still glued to phone, like most adults. Second child 13 Third child 12 Was mainly based on when they became more independent, so we could keep in touch with them.

Too young. I think the youngest was 7 or 8. They kept hacking through whatever parental controls I installed. So now even the oldest (16) isn't allowed one. I'd like to change that, but he won't prove himself trustworthy with it😮‍💨

12ish. Only a flip phone though, no internet connection, and only when they leave the house.

Sometimes you have to just let them learn. It seems to be the case that when a parent is too strict with exposure to the world then the day they turn 18 they go off the deep end. I have a good friend still recovering from drug addiction from a situation like that. A gradual exposure is best I think. But out of curiosity, what exactly are you worried your 16 year old is going to do with a phone that you see as a problem?

I agree, nothing makes you want something more than being told you can't have it.

flip phone at 11. no smart phones or social media until 16. read The Anxious Generation to understand why. social media is extremely damaging to the developing brain.

16yo already discovered porn without doing anything special Internet isn't safe for children to be exposed to

I'm no parent but you sound like my father. If you keep on with the iron fist your kids will grow older and hate you. 16 is the age kids go out and experiment. If porn is the line you draw for phones what happens when he goes out to a party without you knowing and things get squirrley? you've created a environment where your son cannot be himself and would probably have to lie and sneak around. Besides, puberty has his emotions all wacked out and not embracing this difficult period in his life with understanding is just going to make yourself problems down the line. I can tell you love your children, don't make them hate you. Coming from a son with a helicopter dad. In my later years we made up and I understood why he was so protective. I just wish we didn't loose so many years together because of it.

to further my previous comment. This profile picture is the first picture I achieved, "freedom and self sovereignty"

Yes. And you're saying your 16 year old son is a child. When is he an adult in your eyes? The day he turns 18, or is this a process that happens gradually over time? You see what I'm getting at? And thanks for your response. Genuinely interested in your opinions on this.

Just thought I'd add that that's the same excuse politians use to censor the internet 😂 In all seriousness though, Internet access is inevitable and actually very useful (look at us here!) when done right, so would some education work instead?

No, porn cannot be countered by education. It should be banned entirely.

So it should be illegal to have a picture of a naked person? That seems quite authoritarian.

lol whats wrong with you? let them jerk off. there is no god to worry about ;)