Apropos Babylon Bee skit.

https://youtu.be/zm7KJJgJ-Dw

My son has had a mobile device since he was about 10. Just him and I were going on an overnight trip to DC and I wanted him to have some type of communication device while we were there in case we got separated. The only thing I policed on his phone was the ability to download apps. Anything he wanted to download, he had to have our approval. Other than that, he was allowed to do anything on the phone he wanted.

I will say it is very kid dependent. My kid was essentially 30 when he was born. Always way mature for his age, self policing with our given set of rules. He is the type that gets annoyed when he is hanging with friends and they are all on their phones and not socializing. He is now 16.

Our biggest complaint we have with him and his phone and he has been told this is when Mom or Dad texts you something, you need to respond ASAP. Until we got this rule established, he didn’t respond to us because he didn’t want to be rude and on his phone when out with his friends.

So bottom line, it’s really based on your kid and their maturity level and your trust in your kid. We have always followed the parenting policy of let the kid do what he wants, let him have his freedom, but if he steps out of line, then punish and lock down things. So far, haven’t had to do that.

Chris

Just remember that the internet is a “place”. Treat it similarly to a physical place your kids could hang out with friends - and just monitor who their friends are and who all they are conversing with.

Social media and other sources of dopamine hits are an additional issue that should also be monitored/limited.

Lots of other good advice has already been shared.

Just why does Twain's story The Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg pop into my mind?

quote:

sources of dopamine hits are an additional issue that should also be monitored/limited.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
How do you monitor and measure dopamine??

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

How do you monitor and measure dopamine??

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

sources of dopamine hits are an additional issue that should also be monitored/limited.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
How do you monitor and measure dopamine??

Easy:

Q: Is it a mobile game?
A: If yes, it uses dopamine to draw players back to the app either hourly or daily.

In all seriousness though, we check (and the kids know to be on the prowl for) loot crate, spin the wheel, and login-reward mechanics.

That's a good start. Those use the same chemical release response as pulling a slot machine lever.

Not so sure it is all dopamine. It is conditioned behavior ala B.F. Skinner. Neurochemistry plays a minor role, unless you want to pander to Big Pharma. Slot machines operate on a variable ratio schedule, nothing to do with neurochemistry.That is why SSRIs and the like are ineffective in treating complex human problems.