I set expectations when she saved up and got the phone – little did I know it would undermine them, and her mental health

I think its not just kids anymore, it’s adults too. Everyone is glued to their screens these days. But kids are more vulnerable to influences from “social” media and don’t have any defences to the psychological warfare going on. Of course they feel like shit.

    • sugar_in_your_teaEnglish
      572·
      5 months ago

      I kind of agree. That’s why I don’t let my kids buy stuff like that. My kid said he wanted to buy a phone, and when I told him it would be subject to our same computer policy (<2hrs/day, they earn time by reading, etc), he suddenly wasn’t as interested.

      But yes, if you create a bunch of new rules after they buy something, you’re a dick. Let them know what the rules will be before they save up for it.

    • erwan@lemmy.mlEnglish
      174·
      5 months ago

      Read the article. Her mom agreed to it, and they set rules. It’s after that that it went bad.

    • Teal@lemm.eeEnglish
      81·
      5 months ago

      The child from the article got the phone in sixth grade. If she bought a large bag of candy with her own money is it right to let her eat as much as she wants without boundaries?

      Setting healthy boundaries and discipline at a young age is a good move. From how she was behaving with the phone I would have done the same.