Uh.... that kid was 11. But if that's wierd to you.... |
What if all the other kids in school are on social media ? |
That’s why individual action doesn’t get you that far and regulation is needed. |
What if they are? (And many of them will be.) |
Individual action can get you really far with your own kids. |
NP, facing a similar issue with the advent of school for my DC. Curious how that transition went for you all - tablet being introduced outside the home? |
My kid has been basically left out of any plans outside of school. |
Dating myself here, but I always tried to scrounge up quarters before going to the mall or movies so I could call my parents from the pay phone to arrange pick up. It was 50 cents. Wasn't necessary for after sports practice or other activities with a super clear end time, but for looser hangouts, I used it all the time! I do think that the prevalence of phones makes us expect instant contact more than may be necessary, though. Next year my fourth grader will probably have to walk himself home from school once a week due to work conflicts (one parent will be working from home but has a recurring meeting at dismissal time). I've been thinking we need a "dumb phone" for him in case something goes wrong at the playground or on that one block walk, because his friends who do that have smart watches to contact their parents, but...do we really? |
Meh. No social media in our home. My kids still make plans with other kids by actually talking with them (shocking, I know). As far as these “social media only” plans? Hard pass. Seriously, I do not want my kids associating with the SnapChat crowd. Sure - my FFX kids are missing out on all the vape-sessions in the school toilets and the pill-parties. You can parent your kids however you want. |
I don't think you need a phone. Our third grader walks two blocks home by herself three days a week and lets herself in the house because I have a meeting at school dismissal time. I told her that if she's not in the door by 4:05 (3:51 dismissal), then I'll go looking for her. She hasn't ever been late. She knows so many of our neighbors and has countless people to help if something went sideways. No phone needed. |
DP, but I wonder - if she was late ever, would you be kicking yourself she doesn't have the dumb phone? My kids don't have any sort of phone and occasionally when my 12 year old is roaming the neighborhood and later than I expect I think "would be nice to text her." |
I think that missing deadlines and figuring things out and facing those consequences are part of building trust and growing up. So, while it is more comforting for me to have a lifeline to my child at all times, I think it would probably do her a disservice to have that tether. |
First pp here. I agree, that’s why my kid doesn’t have social media. I just feel bad seeing her miss out on plans. It seems like they moved from group texting to social media chats to make plans. |
The truth is you have no way of knowing if she would have been included if she social media. Social media can make kids even more exclusive and nasty and then your kid potentially has to see photos of their supposed friends doing stuff without them. |
PP who asked and I appreciate your perspective. |