Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would this help? It seems like it is only half a solution as it can't block incoming calls unless you block specific numbers.
http://www.att.net/smartcontrols-SmartLimitsForWireless

But I'm with the other posters in that I don't understand the issue. You said they could have their phones on school nights. That means after homework is done and dinner clean up is complete, they get their phones until bedtime. At bedtime, they turn in their phones to your room until breakfast.

OP here- I'm not going to parse words with them--that would just be an intellectual insult with my kids and backfire, believe me.

Wait - this would be an intellectual insult to your kids, but "well, I said you could have your phones, but I didn't say anything about wifi" is perfectly ok?

You're an idiot, OP.

I wouldn't put it like this, but I agree with the sentiment. I guess I don't see why that, even given your promise, that there is an expectation that they get their phones all night. Why can't they get them after homework until, I don't know, 10 or 11?

Full disclosure: my oldest is 5, so I admit I have no idea what I'm talking about on this front. I find this to be an interesting discussion/issue, though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would this help? It seems like it is only half a solution as it can't block incoming calls unless you block specific numbers.
http://www.att.net/smartcontrols-SmartLimitsForWireless

But I'm with the other posters in that I don't understand the issue. You said they could have their phones on school nights. That means after homework is done and dinner clean up is complete, they get their phones until bedtime. At bedtime, they turn in their phones to your room until breakfast.

OP here- I'm not going to parse words with them--that would just be an intellectual insult with my kids and backfire, believe me.

Wait - this would be an intellectual insult to your kids, but "well, I said you could have your phones, but I didn't say anything about wifi" is perfectly ok?

You're an idiot, OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:er....why can't the kiddos just surf porn on 3G when the wifi is turned off?

Around here everyone's wifi is locked--there is no way to access the internet with out wifi. They know they're not allowed to use cellular data to surf--$$$ and they have respected that.

Erm. Assuming You do not have 3G/4G, Do also check if you also have neighbours around that do not secure their wifi networks or use WEP as a protocol. We went through great lengths to get internet security, privacy controls etc and my kids just bypassed it by hoping to my neighbours unsecured wifi. There are free apps out there now that hacks WEP passwords in less than 3 mins. Do a google.

This. Savvy kids will find a way around the tightest parental controls and why I advocate for communication, clear expectations, self-regulation, and enforcing meaningful consequences.

+1

If you have never encountered the endless bargaining, pleading, etc., of teen or tween trying to keep their phone in their room at bedtime, well…you are in the minority--consider yourself incredibly lucky and try not to be so judgmental of this circumstance. And go read the original post--it was a huge motivator for them to bring their grades up.

Anonymous wrote:Why would you ever make that promise? I don't even understand the rationale for it.

said the mother of two year olds…

Why would you ever make that promise? I don't even understand the rationale for it.