First phones, what are your rules and restrictions?
He knew it was our phone and we would take it away/lock it down. We had rules and supervised at first to see how he would handle it. When he broke our rules, he got a consequence, 2nd time we installed app where we could control apps/turn on/off phone. It was a monthly subscription to the app. We had the app maybe for 6-9 months. Then turned it off (he didn’t know) as he had matured and shown he would follow rules. He knew we would put it back on again.
Anytime we give more freedoms we come up with our rules and tell him. We watch and see if we need to increase rules or restrict the freedom. Doing same thing now with driving. It’s all monitored, limits on what he can do and we’re trusting he’s following them. We’ll see if he shows he’s responsible before decrease the rules. So far, he’s fine and following them
edit to add: we have the life 360 app, great now that he’s driving
Sent from my iPhone using Baby Bargains
First phones, what are your rules and restrictions?
My Dd1 got her phone at 12 and just before 7th grade because she was going to be taking the city bus home. I kept her under my iCloud account until she started high school (and it was easier for her to have her own account to link to her school issued iPad) and it was nice because I required that she keep location services on so I could use find my phone occasionally to check up on her while she was on the bus.
My phone rules are in line with SnuggleBuggles and Mom2BeinSD. I think having a cell phone is a trust issue and if you have trust issues then a cell phone should not be an option. We have been lucky with Dd1 and I honestly can’t remember her password, but I do believe that I still have to approve app. purchase for her and my credit card is linked to her account. She always asks and I honestly can’t remember the last time I got a notification that she wanted or needed something.
App wise she has Instagram, and Pinterest. Dh said no to Tiktok and Snapchat pre covid and she said she is fine seeing Tiktok through instagram, and COVID has killed Snapchat. We might revisit Snapchat now that she is 15 and if it becomes popular if things open back up again.
Now as far as Dd2 goes I would like to delay her phone as long as possible, but Dd1 got hers at 12 and DD2 will be 13 when she starts 7th grade. In an ideal world if we can wait until she is 14 and starting 8th grade I would be okay with that as Dd1 will be away at college and I am sure I may be back in my office more than once a week by then and we will need to get ahold of her by then. Her Adhd issues cause her to focus on the iPad too much and a phone would be the same. We would have to keep it under lock and key.
We have also always said that good grades (As, and Bs) are required to have a phone.
Once DD1 gets a job I would like her to pay for a portion of her monthly cell phone bill and phone upgrades if she wants one.
Eta: definitely like the no pictures of body parts rule. That hasn’t been an issue so far but as Dds get older it is important especially because in California there are strict transmission rules about that stuff for minors.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk