Want to dispose of minor son's property. Can a minor have property rights?

[Anonymous]

I'd like to dispose of, without consent, a gaming device my minor son bought with his own money and brought into our house which I own. I think this is OK as he has no property rights, correct?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to dispose of, without consent, a gaming device my minor son bought with his own money and brought into our house which I own. I think this is OK as he has no property rights, correct?

This can't be a serious question!

[Anonymous]

Sure they do. They even have to pay taxes on income earned. Contracts can't be enforced against them, but this isn't that.

[Anonymous]

Block it from your wifi and deal with whatever the issue is.

[Anonymous]

Change the WiFi password and tell him that he can’t use the electricity you are paying for to power it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to dispose of, without consent, a gaming device my minor son bought with his own money and brought into our house which I own. I think this is OK as he has no property rights, correct?

NO! Your child bought something with his own money and you want to get rid of it? Your logic is very faulty. Of course, your child has property rights! Just because you own the house doesn't mean they can't own something. Think back when you were a kid...what if your mom/dad did this to you? How would you respond?

My question to you is do you want to have a good relationship with your child? How would your child trust you again if you did this? If you are upset that they are using it too much you can put limits on the use but, it is wrong to throw it away. You might be throwing away more than the device if you do so!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your advice.

-- OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to dispose of, without consent, a gaming device my minor son bought with his own money and brought into our house which I own. I think this is OK as he has no property rights, correct?

You have no idea how to be a parent, do you?

Seriously, take some classes.

[Anonymous]

From a legal perspective, here is a thought experiment: if your neighbor did it, could your child sue or press charges on their own? Yes. Your parental relationship doesn’t change that.

From a parenting perspective, I second changing the WiFi password.

[Anonymous]

I get it. My parents had the same issue with my brother and a Nintendo he bought with bar mitzvah gift money. He would play for hours and was a cranky unhelpful lump when asked to stop for chores or meals. He stopped doing homework. Eventually they hid it until he shaped up. Now he’s an awesome 30 year old with a career and a wife and baby. It (probably) gets better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From a legal perspective, here is a thought experiment: if your neighbor did it, could your child sue or press charges on their own? Yes. Your parental relationship doesn’t change that.

From a parenting perspective, I second changing the WiFi password.

NP here but a parent also has the right to take it away/limit its use which a neighbor does not. Although kids like to play online I assume the console games can be played on their own as well so changing the wifi password wouldn't solve everything.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried talking to your child first?

[Anonymous]

Turn off the wifi instead.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you can dispose of it but you can confiscate it and let him earn it back by good behavior.

[Anonymous]

File under "too dumb to be a parent".