Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time • Hacker News Board

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#31

Post by wild_preference » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 10:38 PM UTC

thermodynthrway wrote: post #27

jnwatson wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a parent of a 14-year-old, I would far prefer she be roaming about than on her phone. These devices are addictive, and limiting them is important.

I don't see it being any worse than the TV shows and consoles of years past. Or the arcade and bowling alleys of years before that. It's just the newest big time killer. All of those mediums are designed to be addictive and I don't think increased convenience makes it much worse

They are solitary activities like TV and gaming consoles. Bowling isn’t. And arcades weren’t when I was growing up, and you’re still out there possibly interacting with people.

Further, they are idle consumption far and beyond books. I’d question anyone who sees someone sitting on a phone/TV/game all day and think it’s doing anything good for them.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#32

Post by reaperducer » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 10:40 PM UTC

derefr wrote: post #17

chris_mc wrote: post #5

> “It was just a pattern for me — to open my phone and I would have nowhere to go,” she said. “I was just looking at a screen. It was kind of weird, so I’m trying not to do that.” I found out I did the exact same thing when I deleted my Reddit account and set limits here on HN. I used to find myself unlocking my phone, looking at it, opening Google News to the same old articles, then locking it and doing something el…

Have you ever tried reading e-books? I've replaced most of my "on break" or "during commute" social-media time with plain reading of long-form content. I wouldn't describe myself as "being a slave to technology"—I just wanted something to entertain me when I had nothing to do. Social media was a bad way to fill that hole, in terms of the emotional costs. Books are a better way to fill that hole. Even if both just loo…

Have you ever tried reading e-books? I've replaced most of my "on break" or "during commute" social-media time with plain reading of long-form content.

I tried that, and it didn't work for me because it's just too easy to switch to another time-absorbing app if the phone is already in my hand.

But I did something similar: I started reading actual books.

The key was to buy used paperbacks for $1 from low-end bookstores. That way I can carry it around and not worry about it, and if it gets lost or damaged, no big deal.

When I'm done with it, I leave it on the bus or train for someone else to find.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#33

Post by thermodynthrway » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 10:44 PM UTC

snuxoll wrote: post #26

thermodynthrway wrote: post #16

You would think a teenager with a job could just get their own phone plan. I'm kinda thankful helicopter parenting is being undermined by technology (internet+Uber), maybe one day we will get back to reasonable parenting practices they had back in the 60's-70's. We don't let our kids roam the neighborhood anymore even though it's a magnitude safer than it was decades ago. I don't understand how we expect kids to star…

Robert Epstein has written two fantastic books on this exact topic, "The Case Against Adolescence" and "Teen 2.0" - the heart of both revolves around the artificial extension of childhood modern society has developed into this period we call "adolescence". I'm a 90's kid, by the time I was 10 years old I stayed at home by myself and my 18 month younger sister after school and during the summer. We would stop by the s…

Completely agree. Back in the day, children began to be treated as adults around 12-13 as long as they proved themselves responsible enough.

I remember riding my bike 10-20 miles when I was 12-14 before cell phones, visiting distant friends and buying random stuff with my $20 allowance. Running errands for my parents too. By 18 my parents were more like mentors than protectors. Just some people I really liked to look up to and help out when things got real gnarly.

Life stuff happened. Flat tires, sketchy situations, talked to the police a few times. Even broke some bones once in a bike accident. Every time I learned how to deal with life situations and make it home alright. Young enough that strangers and the justice system are still ready to give you some slack cuz you're figuring things out, a gift that many kids these days don't get.

It makes you grow up fast. I was babysitting for multiple days at 14, responsibly as any adult. Starting working real jobs soon after, not disclosing because I don't want to dox myself... But I was doing "real adult" jobs where the consequences for mistakes we're so bad that people could die. My boss got several complaints that it was illegal or irresponsible to let a "child" do such work. It wasn't.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#34

Post by reaperducer » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 10:46 PM UTC

thermodynthrway wrote: post #16

You would think a teenager with a job could just get their own phone plan. I'm kinda thankful helicopter parenting is being undermined by technology (internet+Uber), maybe one day we will get back to reasonable parenting practices they had back in the 60's-70's. We don't let our kids roam the neighborhood anymore even though it's a magnitude safer than it was decades ago. I don't understand how we expect kids to star…

I'm kinda thankful helicopter parenting is being undermined by technology

I wish. I know people in their late 30's who are on their parent's cell phone plan, and have tried (unsuccessfully) to get on their health insurance.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#35

Post by toasterlovin » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 10:57 PM UTC

thermodynthrway wrote: post #16

You would think a teenager with a job could just get their own phone plan. I'm kinda thankful helicopter parenting is being undermined by technology (internet+Uber), maybe one day we will get back to reasonable parenting practices they had back in the 60's-70's. We don't let our kids roam the neighborhood anymore even though it's a magnitude safer than it was decades ago. I don't understand how we expect kids to star…

I think it's worth considering that the HN crowd probably is a selection of the population that skews heavily toward being self motivated and reasonably well adjusted. My siblings and I, too, had very unsupervised upbringings. We all would have done better with more structure. Not helicopter parenting, but some happy medium.

WRT unrestricted internet/device usage: porn addiction is a thing. So is gaming addiction. Adolescent girls being pressured to send nude photos to their classmates is also a thing. IMO parents should take reasonable measures to protect their children from the worst that is out there.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#36

Post by Angostura » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 11:06 PM UTC

thermodynthrway wrote: post #27

jnwatson wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a parent of a 14-year-old, I would far prefer she be roaming about than on her phone. These devices are addictive, and limiting them is important.

I don't see it being any worse than the TV shows and consoles of years past. Or the arcade and bowling alleys of years before that. It's just the newest big time killer. All of those mediums are designed to be addictive and I don't think increased convenience makes it much worse

You can't play consoles on the bus, in the street, at the table, on the toilet, in class, in the playground, at the library, in the cafe etc.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#37

Post by utefan001 » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 11:19 PM UTC

jnwatson wrote: post #25

thermodynthrway wrote: post #16

You would think a teenager with a job could just get their own phone plan. I'm kinda thankful helicopter parenting is being undermined by technology (internet+Uber), maybe one day we will get back to reasonable parenting practices they had back in the 60's-70's. We don't let our kids roam the neighborhood anymore even though it's a magnitude safer than it was decades ago. I don't understand how we expect kids to star…

As a parent of a 14-year-old, I would far prefer she be roaming about than on her phone. These devices are addictive, and limiting them is important.

If you have time, please give our free iOS app studycity a test. It will block fun sites after 1 hour. In order to get access back the user has to earn 5+ points on khan, duolingo, code combat, prodigy, Tynker etc. Our servers will log in as the child or make an API call on the learning site to verify.

It works by using a dual mode DNS (learn and play modes). Note the app requires vpn approval, but we only control the DNS. If you want to avoid that you can manually set up the phone after a free signup on our studycity org website.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#38

Post by utefan001 » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 11:22 PM UTC

utefan001 wrote: post #37

jnwatson wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a parent of a 14-year-old, I would far prefer she be roaming about than on her phone. These devices are addictive, and limiting them is important.

If you have time, please give our free iOS app studycity a test. It will block fun sites after 1 hour. In order to get access back the user has to earn 5+ points on khan, duolingo, code combat, prodigy, Tynker etc. Our servers will log in as the child or make an API call on the learning site to verify. It works by using a dual mode DNS (learn and play modes). Note the app requires vpn approval, but we only control th…

This is our twitter account. This link has a few tweets that explain more about it.

https://twitter.com/DnsLearningOrg/with_replies

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#39

Post by thermodynthrway » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 11:25 PM UTC

toasterlovin wrote: post #35

thermodynthrway wrote: post #16

You would think a teenager with a job could just get their own phone plan. I'm kinda thankful helicopter parenting is being undermined by technology (internet+Uber), maybe one day we will get back to reasonable parenting practices they had back in the 60's-70's. We don't let our kids roam the neighborhood anymore even though it's a magnitude safer than it was decades ago. I don't understand how we expect kids to star…

I think it's worth considering that the HN crowd probably is a selection of the population that skews heavily toward being self motivated and reasonably well adjusted. My siblings and I, too, had very unsupervised upbringings. We all would have done better with more structure. Not helicopter parenting, but some happy medium. WRT unrestricted internet/device usage: porn addiction is a thing. So is gaming addiction. Ad…

Admittedly, you're probably right. I had some trouble finding friends to hang out between 14-18 because I was too "serious". Not everyone likes hanging out with someone who acts like an adult at that age. Definitely considered uncool haha

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#40

Post by zwily » Wed, Jul 11, 2018, 11:36 PM UTC

reaperducer wrote: post #32

derefr wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you ever tried reading e-books? I've replaced most of my "on break" or "during commute" social-media time with plain reading of long-form content. I wouldn't describe myself as "being a slave to technology"—I just wanted something to entertain me when I had nothing to do. Social media was a bad way to fill that hole, in terms of the emotional costs. Books are a better way to fill that hole. Even if both just loo…

Have you ever tried reading e-books? I've replaced most of my "on break" or "during commute" social-media time with plain reading of long-form content. I tried that, and it didn't work for me because it's just too easy to switch to another time-absorbing app if the phone is already in my hand. But I did something similar: I started reading actual books. The key was to buy used paperbacks for $1 from low-end bookstore…

I carry a Kindle around with me for reading for two reasons: First, cause you can’t just switch to something else stupid. And second, cause you look like you’re reading a book to the people around you.