Post ANdM4NvwIbC8bwertQ by jason123santa@fosstodon.org
(DIR) More posts by jason123santa@fosstodon.org
(DIR) Post #ANcebdLfbxjfzcjmfw by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T12:54:57Z
0 likes, 3 repeats
Fellow parents, hear me! We NEED a #smartphone for teenagers, right??https://kevquirk.com/why-dont-we-have-a-smartphone-for-teenagers/
(DIR) Post #ANcf0pbz9ctpGYNrxw by dajb@social.coop
2022-09-16T12:59:27Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev We have middle schools in Northumberland, so my kids have walked to school since they were nine years old.They've both got smartphones and are now 15 and 11 years old, respectively. It's been a never-ending struggle with our eldest, a boy, as I've tried my best to keep Google Family Link. At 13, Google tells kids they're allowed to have control over their own account. We've only just allowed him to have the Snapchat and YouTube apps on his phone. He's had Instagram via the web secretly.
(DIR) Post #ANcfAq7I8EKnjBncq8 by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:01:00Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@dajb it's a minefield. My oldest is a little younger than yours, but I KNOW the pressure will rise as he gets older.I literally have no idea what to do. I want to give him his freedom, but I also know better than him and I KNOW it's a bad idea...
(DIR) Post #ANcfHlydv8umut3n3g by dajb@social.coop
2022-09-16T13:02:02Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I wrote my doctoral thesis on digital literacies and have no clue, so don't feel bad 😂We're the first generation of parents having to deal with this shit.
(DIR) Post #ANcfhEQtGD88PSPdAW by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:06:59Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@dajb yeah, we really are.My mum inly had to worry about me playing too much Mortal Kombat or Streets of Rage 😂
(DIR) Post #ANcgeNt1krVKocmNdI by dajb@social.coop
2022-09-16T13:17:45Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev Well, to be fair, I used my Dad's credit card without his knowledge to sign up for AOL and CompuServe and then cancelled using the phone box at the end of the road.But I'm too on it for him to be able to do something like that 😂
(DIR) Post #ANch2huwvp4LtHHCzY by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:22:20Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@dajb that's the difference, I suppose. We're also the first generation of parents who can actually compete on a technical level.
(DIR) Post #ANch7jf7s7nSkYGye0 by dajb@social.coop
2022-09-16T13:23:03Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev Aye. I'm kind of impressed by his sneakiness, TBH.
(DIR) Post #ANchqfVCBbFIsX3NxY by birnim@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:31:04Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I'll have a take at a particular point from that post. if a kid can be ridiculed by other kids for not having a phone, the kid can be ridiculed as well for having a phone with no camera. also, your kid having a no camera phone provides exactly zero protection against your kid being filmed by some other phone with a camera
(DIR) Post #ANchup0ylCNHXWttgG by allinone0@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:31:48Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev @dajb Some people I know are in school, and they have never touched TikTok or Snapchat or whatever else there is.There is still hope, if only a little.
(DIR) Post #ANci1jHmSW7lna3MI4 by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:33:20Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@birnim true, but it prevents them from sending photos of their junk to their peers.
(DIR) Post #ANciFmn6Dvi2iwPAX2 by allinone0@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:35:46Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I read the blog you linked (it was great!) but I think there is a bit of a generation gap. iPhones are all the rage now.Even if you have a phone, if it is Android, you are screwed.
(DIR) Post #ANciLyKgE18uG03tY0 by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:37:00Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@allinone0 gah, yeah, that's so true. There's the whole fashion element of this whole thing too. 🙄
(DIR) Post #ANciTz4DNWHSqrBGNs by birnim@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:38:29Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I know for a fact that I wouldn't send photos of my junk over phone for the same reason why I wouldn't flash it on the street. This is more about adequate general upbringing rather than availability of a phone with camera. Kids send pictures of their junk not because they have a phone with a camera, but because they don't see a problem with that, or find it funny. This is a social problem. And it's a known fact that trying to solve social problems by technical means always fails.
(DIR) Post #ANciesQuNqVTShzPyC by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:40:26Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@birnim while I agree it's a social problem, limiting the problem somewhat with a technical solution (no camera) maybe, just maybe, will help a little.I think it has little to do with a kids' upbringing BTW. I'm sure no parent would advise a kid to do this.Anyway, this is a dark place I'd rather not go to.
(DIR) Post #ANcixXCjXFdZ7nFw0W by birnim@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:43:49Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev If I was your son and I wanted that bad to send a pic of my junk, but I had a phone with no camera, I'd just use the phone of my best friend for that 😂 Exactly, parents don't advise kids to send junk pics over phone, but they do advise kids to not do certain things. And to pay attention to things people generally don't do and understand why on their own.
(DIR) Post #ANcj1aTlInOkRI9Ztg by deightonrobbie@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:44:34Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev Maybe because phones with restricted access doesn't produce as much data which can be turned into cash as a phone with unrestricted access?
(DIR) Post #ANcjAQmqhsHIzBIYjI by gloopsies@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:45:13Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I really disagree with the premise of the blog. Controlling and spying on your kids won't stop them from doing anything really. they'll just be better at lying and hiding it while also be afraid to tell you anything. You'll just drive them away and make other problems at the same time. Teaching them about risks and responsibilities and being open enough for them to not be scared to talk to you about any problems is only way to make sure they are actually protected.
(DIR) Post #ANcjCrevlcfKuLkrqq by deightonrobbie@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:45:18Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev Maybe because phones with restricted access don't produce as much data which can be turned into cash as a phone with unrestricted access?
(DIR) Post #ANcpPsdu1OZdRnrbsG by gray@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T14:56:09Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I've actually been keeping an eye on this very thing: https://myteracube.com/pages/thrive-phone
(DIR) Post #ANcsre1YGZBw4zr8DI by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T15:34:35Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@gray oh nice, thanks! I'll sign up and keep an eye on that.
(DIR) Post #ANct1IxLS0k3dPUjJo by gloopsies@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T13:45:56Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I know all the things that I've done to hide stuff from my relatively tech savvy parents just because I was scared of them. There is always a way
(DIR) Post #ANct1K2hPacR0J0WIq by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T15:36:32Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@gloopsies yeah, true. Ultimately, if a kid is motivated enough, they'll find a way.
(DIR) Post #ANct6u0X7cTPzmefxo by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T15:37:33Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@gloopsies yeah, that's a great point actually. We do try to teach our kids about the risk of all this, and we're very transparent as parents.I dunno, maybe that will be enough? 🤷♂️
(DIR) Post #ANct9IvjQoALs2YRfM by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T15:37:56Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@birnim hahaha great point.
(DIR) Post #ANcvPNLWyogS6nPfWK by Berker@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T16:03:19Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I totally agree with you. I have been looking for solutions as well but my main concern is rather the social media then a phone/ laptop or any device for that matter. Most screen time is caused by it and the negative effects of social media on kids is a huge subject at the moment. I'm thinking more like, how can I make them stay away from social media but I guess it's just impossible...
(DIR) Post #ANcyc3qH6gPrFEX9bk by gruff@mastodon.technology
2022-09-16T16:39:09Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I've just brought them up to despise Google, Amazon et. al. Explained privacy thoroughly, that they are the product etc. with a free app. Provided them with quality VPN to keep them safe on free WiFi. Given them Yubikeys to secure their accounts. And just keep on at them! Educate, educate, educate.I'll let you know how it pans out in a few years. lol.
(DIR) Post #ANczom8sKHY24GrPgO by pixelherodev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T16:52:42Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev The main problem is that it won't *work*.Any such device would almost certainly have access to a search engine. From there, it's just a quick search to "How do I disable parental controls?" Speaking from experience here :PI also have ethical objections to the tracking idea: I'm no more okay with parents tracking their 15-year-old kids than with parents tracking their 30-year-old kids. There's no magic age line at which people suddenly develop a right to privacy.
(DIR) Post #ANd3awnyHilKttkELI by RyuKurisu@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T17:34:26Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev ever heard, let alone considered, a KaiOS device? https://www.kaiostech.com/Smarter than a dumb phone, dumber than a smartphone. They *do* have camera's and I haven't spotted Signal in the app selection, but might be worth the consideration? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
(DIR) Post #ANd4EmYnnGG8i7dzcW by joel@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T17:42:09Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I did not have a phone with internet access until I was 13. I had 512MB of storage, I couldn't do much...I would get a phone with low storage. I only had 16 GB, apps even back then were quite heavy and nowadays its even more. Then I would setup a DNS to only allow some websites to go through. Then just check their phones weekly without notice, I guess
(DIR) Post #ANd4KlMZ9rugjblxYW by joel@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T17:42:59Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I did not have a phone with internet access until I was 13. I had 512MB of storage, I couldn't do much...I would get a phone with low storage.16 GB is barely enough today, apps nowadays are quite heavy so at least it limits what they can install and how much would you have to check. Then I would setup a DNS to only allow some websites to go through. Then just check their phones weekly without notice, I guess
(DIR) Post #ANd6gjVgvYZ3Gde2Ea by sotolf@social.linux.pizza
2022-09-16T18:09:17Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@joel @kev 13? I was 24 :p I guess times are changing fast.
(DIR) Post #ANd7pJX4yrojG9wvwG by ronoaldo@mastodon.social
2022-09-16T18:22:28Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev as of now, my three kids have Google Family Link and Microsoft Family to help them learn good usage patterns (like time limits) and some safety (like content blocking). I agree, with the points you have shared, and some are achievable with these apps perhaps?
(DIR) Post #ANd9QrE0m9rKQKUr6e by adamsdesk@mastodon.technology
2022-09-16T18:40:17Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev This is quite a challenging thing to take on as a parent in my opinion. I say no phone, done. However, I do see the social isolation it can cause. Generally I think no phone until 10 or 12 years of age. Start teaching them about responsibility, accountability, privacy and security. Be open, honest and allow your children to make mistakes because they will and its how we all learn.
(DIR) Post #ANd9W43uTWhRgXFqhk by adamsdesk@mastodon.technology
2022-09-16T18:41:22Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev Tracking a child is a tough on depending where you live. Children have rights and at times having such tracking features to monitor your children can violate these laws. Even tracking elderly is a challenge in itself legal wise.
(DIR) Post #ANdFjlhQ8xzUVseYkK by thewk@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T19:50:47Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev Nico to see there are still parents out there, who have some sense left in them, kids should not have smartphones with unlimited access, not only because they could post stuff they‘ll regret, but also because permanent distraction by notification ist really bad for a developing brain.My business partners youngest recently got an iPhone. She is 6. I lack the words…Regards to your boys, they should be grateful for their parents decisions
(DIR) Post #ANdM4NvwIbC8bwertQ by jason123santa@fosstodon.org
2022-09-16T21:02:07Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@allinone0 @kev @dajb like me I am not on snapchat (used to have it) and never used tiktok.
(DIR) Post #ANexSshPSIqqRPMk3E by gidorah@fosstodon.org
2022-09-17T15:35:48Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev I think this (https://boringphone.com/) was pretty close. It has been "around" for years, but I'm not convinced that anything made it into the wild.
(DIR) Post #ANfO0N5e56jj3rKdkm by oss@fosstodon.org
2022-09-17T20:32:49Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev Yessir a dumb one too
(DIR) Post #ANkgjzLNTHynhROLFw by tomdeb@fosstodon.org
2022-09-20T09:56:40Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kev because technology is not always the answer.
(DIR) Post #ANkpetSOpWAla8JzSS by kev@fosstodon.org
2022-09-20T11:36:26Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@tomdeb oh absolutely, but sometimes it can help.