SchnookoLoly

The bullying aspect is what terrifies me the most about having kids in the future. I was bullied as a kid, but I had some respite when I got home from school. The worst I had to deal with was the occasional prank call. But with facebook, texting, internet, etc all in pockets, the bullying is incessant and non-stop... not to mention, easier to hide, since it can be done at a distance. I shudder to think how much worse I would have had it if cyber-bullying was a thing... and I'm not even that old!

Dashie

Totally agree with this. I also think that there is absolutely no reason that a child needs a smartphone. Possibly a cell phone, but even that would be a stretch. If you need to make an emergency call, I'm sure you could find an adult with a phone to help you with that. Or knock on a door. Like we used to have to.

You're supposed to be 13 before you're allowed a FB account, I would actually like to see that increased to 18. Ridiculous to encourage it at the vulnerable early teen stage. Not that it's a given that people are automatically mature enough at 18, teenagers don't necessarily make great life decisions, but give it as much of a wide berth for as long as possible I say.

Gozit

^^ unschool them

And the age of FB accounts isn't going to do anything. I got mine when I was 10 and just faked my year of birth.

Shard

Are there people in your generation that are anti-FB or even off-grid? I imagine with so much connectivity it must be tempting for some people to just reject it all. Go analog.

JamesM

Haha. I was a Dungeon Master.

My brother was the coolest 15 year old. He figured out how to make "Prove it" cards that 18 year olds legally used to prove their age at the pub and normally had to obtain from the police with proper ID.

He made more money than I did after uni graduation all tax free. Under age teens from all over the UK would send him 20 pounds an ID as his were the best on the market (ranked by some website).

He even upgraded his equipment so he could produce an ID in 15 minutes.

Eventually mum threatened to throw him out the house and the mafia operation was over.

He was the richest teenager in town for quite some months. Running at 1200 pounds of cash a month at it's peak.

Gozit

How did you know that?

Same re. number 1. As for Sally, see the faith thread in TIO. Its quite funny actually But what's this about not naming someone 3 times?


Agreed. I hate this age of appearance, people don't take you for who you are, etc. Its quite bollocks.

I'd rather the more ripoff phone bill than living in the iceberg that is sask

Nah still 15. 16 in 4 months, 7 days. (27 Jan) Driving license

Sally Redux

Yes that won't work.

It's very noticeable that my daughter has a nicer personality on the rare occasions she's away from internet service.

Gozit

Well there's one kid whos parents don't let him use the computer at all during the week, and he's only allowed 1 hour a day on weekends. Not allowed to have FB/email/mobile phone, etc. I have no ****ing clue what he did wrong, he does great in school and all. He told me if he doesn't do his homework he gets grounded. I told him that he's basically already grounded 24/7/365 anyways so it doesn't matter

If you mean basement dweller, then that's me.

Damn... Wish I could do that With 1200 pounds a month couldn't he just rent a place of his own to do his dirty work?

Gozit

OK. How, what, where, WHY did this thread turn out like this?

Only on BE ...

Gozit

And, sorry Dashie, but i'm as straight as they come.

Sally Redux

Oops it's 5 times. Candyman. Good film.

dishwashing

I find I am more pleasant when I put away my devices too

I don't think the gagdets servethe younger generations very well imho..more connected, much lonelier and where is the life perspective staring at a screen

Sally Redux

I must try it

dishwashing

Yeah, it's nice, too bad these things are also so addictive!

Gozit