Mobile phone curfew...

[LaineyW]

My DD2 (15) has recently starting going out with a boy (also 15). She has a mobile and an iPod Touch so can communicate with him either by speaking to him, texting him, or Facebooking him on her iPod Touch - at all hours of the day or night.

She was on very late last night and we're wondering if anyone has a curfew on mobile phone chat at night for their children? My husband has always wanted our DDs to basically hand in their phones when they go to bed at about 10.30pm but I feel that's a bit draconian these days (especially for the eldest who's nearly 18).

How does everyone else deal with this? We don't think she's getting enough sleep, basically.

[SamJones]

Yep. DD has to switch off her phone and leave it on the shelf at bedtime. She has enough problems sleeping anyway and its just one extra distraction.

Its not like they may need to be contacted in an emergency in the same way you might if you were away for instance so I see no need to have them available during sleeping hours.

When I were young we had to manage with only one phone in the house and it was attached to the wall in the hall..

[usualsuspect]

I think its not on really for a nearly 18 year old to have a 10.30 bedtime and hand her phone in ..maybe the 15 year old, in term time but not in the holidays

[LaineyW]

Me too SamJones. I remember listening to Dial-a-Disc back in the day too!

[mumeeee]

A nearly 18 year old shouldn't have to hand in thier mobile phone or hase a 10.30pm bedtime.

[LaineyW]

Wish I'd never mentioned the time they go to bed now! Bedtime has never been an issue in that they both go off to bed of their own accord at about that time anyway, we don't (and never have) insisted on it.

We don't ask our eldest to hand her phone in either, she's obviously old enough to make her own decisions.

It's the younger one we worry about more and her newly-found Facebook freedom.

[bramblebooks]

I have to do this occasionally for my 13 y.o son. Particularly on a school night. He'd be nocturnal if I let him!