Mom's 18-Point iPhone Rules for Son

[MikeChipshop Member]

Why was this even on Good Morning America? Is this really news? Fair enough to have it like this on a public forum but to have it as a story on a television program :/

[Detection]

I'm sure he'd not phrase it in an insulting way, which would be quite inappropriate.

I agree though that the parents should get a clear message for such an awful attempt and control complex.

Otherwise you'll end up breaking free too late and your parents won't even realize and keep treating you like always before, because "acting up" is understood with a teenager, once you hit the 20's it's all just blamed on you.

Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

Glassed Silver:mac

Too many controlling rules can have the opposite effect too, I was constantly asked to turn my music down when I lived with my folks, whereas my brother was allowed to play the drums in the next room

Over and over and over, Turn your music down, now I feel the effects from the constant nagging, when the missus asks me to turn the TV down or whatever I feel that twist in my gut that signals the beginning of getting mad with someone

I can control it easy, but its still there and Im 100% sure its from my folks always getting on my case about it when I was young

[Jim K Global Moderator]

LOL at the people here saying they would politely tell mom to shove it up the ass.

Nothing wrong with the rules and conditions. You have to learn there are rules and conditions to everything in life and there are consequences if you violate them. Your kid needs to understand that they now hold a powerful communication tool and with it comes consequences (some which can not be taken back) if not used properly.

Good on the parents. I wouldn't doubt that as he gets older some of the conditions will become more lax....

[Detection]

Actually she only told him to never "ignore" the phone ringing, and to always answer his parents. not to always answer all calls.

Quote

If it rings, answer it. It is a phone

[Phouchg]

Well, at least it's an iPhone. Bejeezus how many more rules she'd have to write if it was an Android!

[Blackhearted]

She is not controlling him at all really. Just giving him some basic rules to abide by. Have you seen how ignorant a lot of phone users are nowadays?

They're either texting or have their head in facebook. Even when you're trying to have a conversation with them.

Anyway i don't think kids need phones, other than for emergencies. Majority of us got on fine without a mobile phone.

Well honestly, most of us probably came from a time when mobile phones either weren't remotely common or simply weren't practical(see the old phones the size of your head).

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Anyway, some of these rules are just ridiculous. For example 4 and 5 basically mean the phone will almost never be used outside of weekends. Which is kind of a waste of money to pay for.

[HawkMan]

I never said he did, but at some point you have to trust your kid to make the right decisions and ultimately make a few mistakes to learn from, not treat him like a prisoner. First time he steps out of line with the phone then you take it off him, you don't give him a set of demands just waiting for him to screw up. These are the worst kind of parents, I'm not saying be completely hands off but they have gone to the other EXTREME.

Actually one or I believe two of the rules specifically state that he "will" break one or more of the rules, and when he does, they will sit down and talk about it. sounds like good parenting to me. makes rules, and when they break them you talk about it.

[Detection]

Of course he will break the rules, the only way not to would be to never use the phone

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Of course he will break the rules, the only way not to would be to never use the phone

Why? They are fairly straight forward and easy to follow.

[TruckWEB]

Many of you seem to have forgotten what you were at 13yo... Some rules needs to be written and even then, most kids break them.

You would have told your mom to shove it up her ass at 13?? Wow, good maners...

[Detection]

Why? They are fairly straight forward and easy to follow.

For a 13 year old? He will have forgotten 99% of them by the time he finishes reading them

[Jim K Global Moderator]

For a 13 year old? He will have forgotten 99% of them by the time he finishes reading them

Well...he will be reminded. Live and learn.

[DrJohnSmitherson]

After reading the rules it seems she paid for this expensive phone....but NEVER wants him to use it...

I think these rules are dumb. Just commenting, giving my 2 cents :)

2,4,5,8,9,11,13 (REALLY???? Don't take pictures??? wth? I can never remember most of the photos I have taken. Seriously stupid. He should take a as many as possible. Why the hell does she care?),15,16(Kinda odd)

[Phouchg]

Well honestly, most of us probably came from a time when mobile phones either weren't remotely common or simply weren't practical(see the old phones the size of your head)

[Rippleman]

although the basics are correct, the mom is out to lunch especially on rule 13.

"13. Don't take a zillion pictures and videos. There is no need to document everything. Live your experiences. They will be stored in your memory for eternity."

Always take LOTS of pics everyday for they are time machines that you can escape to when your memory fails, and trust me, your memory WILL fail.

[hotosega]

I think most of these rules are great. Especially for a 13 year old. When he becomes older the parents can loosen the rules.

Some rules are common sense, but yet people fail to use them.

[Detection]

I remember when I didn't own a mobile phone, I spent half my day riding around the streets looking for people, or walking miles to go give them a knock only to find they were already out 'somewhere' with other friends

Credit where credit is due though, I did have a six pack and strong legs from all my riding and walking/running I had to do

[HawkMan]

although the basics are correct, the mom is out to lunch especially on rule 13.

"13. Don't take a zillion pictures and videos. There is no need to document everything. Live your experiences. They will be stored in your memory for eternity."

Always take LOTS of pics everyday for they are time machines that you can escape to when your memory fails, and trust me, your memory WILL fail.

Live life or take pictures of other pictures living life so you can look back at the pictures and remember other people living life ?

it seems most of the crits here don't really read or understand the rules.

[Detection]

Live life or take pictures of other pictures living life so you can look back at the pictures and remember other people living life ?

it seems most of the crits here don't really read or understand the rules.

Taking pictures doesn't stop anyone living life, it takes a few seconds and results in something brilliant you can look at for years and years

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Taking pictures doesn't stop anyone living life, it takes a few seconds and results in something brilliant you can look at for years and years

Unless you take a "zillion" pictures.

[Detection]

Unless you take a "zillion" pictures.

You do have a point :rofl:

Maybe the kid can use that loophole to dodge being grounded for taking a few hundred photos

[LUTZIFER]

I'd tell her to pound sand.

[Hum]

Rule 17 - Talk to a stranger.

Is she seriously telling her son to talk to strangers? I was told the opposite as a child.

Who else will you share your poRn pics with ? :p

[WelshBluebird]

Some of those are just stupid and contradictory.

Always answer the phone? What if it is after 7.30pm so he doesn't have it?

Don't receive pictures of other peoples private parts? You can't control what people send you!

Etc etc.

I agree with the general principle, but I think just saying "use common sense and if you don't I will take the phone off you" is good enough tbh.

[Neyht Member]

The most restrictive rule on that list number 5. It does not go to school with you. He doesn't need the phone at school though so I don't see a problem with that.