Say you were a guardian or parent and get to decide when a child can get a phone or use a computer and get internet with it. If you wish you can also install software and change router settings to what you see fit.

Some parents decide to forbid the internet completely, others are more relaxed. Some go the helicopter route, and some do not care whatsoever what their kid does online.

What is your policy on letting a child use the internet?

  • wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    1 day ago

    I agree, but I think there’s less spaces for that then there used to be, and I don’t think 13 is a particularly unreasonable age for access to still be restricted. It’s probably the older end of when I’d be trying to teach a kid proper online safety and behavior before starting to loosen the reins, but every kid is going to be different. Some would be ready earlier, and others later.

    I think we just disagree on where the middle ground might lie, which is probably to be expected on complicated topics like this. Everyone’s going to have their own take.

    I definitely wouldn’t be comfortable tossing a hypothetical kid into the deep end, so to speak, at 13.

    On top of that, kids are resourceful with a ton of time on their hands. Sufficiently motivated kids will find ways around restrictions (I sure did, locked doors without a deadbolt are not a real lockdown, lol) or friends with less restrictions anyway, and there’s some value to allowing them to think they’re getting away with things and navigating on their own, regardless of whether I as a parent would really be aware of it or not.