grandkids glued to devices

Teenage GD is on her phone or laptop all the time, her father berates her when she is at our house but I am just happy to see her.
Her younger sister does not have internet access so does not spend time with head lowered over screen, hopefully I can enjoy the little one for a few more years.

Sandybh6, I know EXACTLY how you feel. In fact I started a thread about this some time ago. It's very difficult. I struggle all the time trying to get my GS off his phone. I've tried virtually everything from bribery to scolding but half the time he doesn't even hear me. In desperation I've even showed an interest in one of the games he plays on his phone and ask him questions about it. I've also said half an hour is enough and then put it down but he doesn't until it suits him. grannybuy, I think it IS your place to interfere - somebody needs to. I have said to my grandson that it is rude to ignore someone when you are with them as it's like saying you aren't interested in them. I've said it's okay to be on the internet for a little while but not all the time. I do find it is one of the most exhausting things I've had to do. It's a constant battle. As for parents I think most of them allow it because it gives them peace and quiet but it's awful. It's the constant messaging, rather than the games, which really gets to me. Also who knows what they are looking at half the time. Someone said the genie is out of the bottle and I think that's true. Do any of them read in bed any more like we used to?

Our twelve year old is exactly the same, BUT you only have to produce a football and bounce it once and the phone is down and forgotten! Problem is, Grandad is now getting past the dashing about playing football stage, so that door may be closed to us soon!

Teenagers are the same all over the world.I really object when adults do the same rude thing.A neighbour came one evening this week, we sat in the garden and enjoyed a cup of tea, he sat most of the time talking, telling us about his holiday but didnt look up from his phone, I think eye contact would have been nice.I think he was clever to be able to talk and watch his phone at the same time, obviously he does it regularly.

You have one chance - get them OUT OF THE HOUSE. Let them try using their devices while walking through woods or along a river bank...
A few months ago I did some informal childcare. Usually for children over 2 but pre-school. (I had police clearance from being a sunday school teacher) Many parents seemed keen to have me BECAUSE I was older and do not own a smart phone - even the ones that had their kids faces pushed into i-pads while still in buggies... Parents know what they are doing is damaging their kids, its just the pressure of 'everyone else is doing it...'

Two of my teenage grandsons live two hundred miles apart and spend hours talking to each other over online games.
When they meet in person, there is the usual teenage silence, so perhaps technology can help social contacts, as well as damage them!

Well most of my GCs ask for book tokens after about age 8 and love choosing with them. But I do think ‘devices’ more antisocial because they give the impression that the person glued to one is talking to someone more interesting than granny. Probably true but I somehow don’t feel cut out in the same way if they are reading.

Do any grans have a "my house, my rules" way of dealing with this issue? Sadly my DGC haven't been in our home for five years because they live abroad, but having seen how much they are online, I would definitely have clear rules in place about using IT, if they came here. Last year we took DGD away with us to the seaside (in their country) and I wish I'd realised just how much she would be glued to her phone! (Next time, there will be a discussion and rules laid down before we go away!)

Oh yes, trisher. Radio Luxembourg. Happy memories

I used to sneak my books into bed and read them at night. One evening my mum had been out and as she walked up the street she saw my light on and stormed up to my room and told me to stop reading! Amazing when you think how we long for our children to read. I finally got her into reading in her sixties when she was recovering from a heart attack. I gave her "Flowers in the Attic" and she was hooked.

Yes I do agree but I was always either deep in a book or playing records (remember those round black things?) at full volume so I suppose it is just the same.
I notice they soon drop the phones when food is on offer! Typical boys.

Some of you must have been like me under the bedclothes with Radio Luxembourg on, because your mum and dad hated your music, trying to read by torch light. We were once the generation with the best music, best films, best everything. Now our GCs are the same. We grew out of it, so will they.
That said no mobile phones/devices are allowed at table when we eat together (and that includes mum and dad!)

Every Monday I watch my great nephews swimming at the local pool. In the spectator area most Mothers of others are on phones all the time. I often think, if their offspring drowned. they'd never notice. Modern life, unfortunately.

I don't do a lot of posting on here, and gave up altogether at one time, because I felt I spent too long reading posts, and gazing at a screen, instead of getting up and going, so I think perhaps we are all a little guilty?

When I was a teenager I was glued to my ‘trannie’.... and my books....my kids had their ‘game boy’ and ‘walkmans’.... my grandchildren have I-phones and ‘switch’, although they ARE only allowed 1 hour on tech a day (12 and 7)..... we were no different...,, just different devices. They’ll speak when they’re ready... just be there to listen.

I asked my soon to be 13 year old granddaughter what kind of birthday party she was having this year. She told me then added, " you don't know any of these words do you Gran" ? I had to admit she was right. No doubt she'll have a good birthday. I'm not invited thank goodness.

Two of my grandchildren are obsessed with their screens. The 10 year old is VERY obsessed. However they love coming to visit because I'm just as obsessed. We have marvellous fun playing Fortnite and the Mario races, Crash Bandicoot and some blobby game, the name I can't remember. In fact my husband and I both play on our Switch many an evening. It's just a change in what we do. I too was another one who used to be told off for having my nose in a book all the time. My father used to tell me I was wasting my life. As the quote goes ... "the more things change, the more they stay the same".

This couldn't be more timely! I'm just back from four days at DD's, 'minding' two DGD's aged fifteen and twelve. I hardly saw them, and I wish that I could say that it was because they were out doing something. They were in their rooms most of the time, on phones or tablets. It's allowed, so not my place to interfere. I offered to take them out or play a board game, but they are past that. The younger one did play with us in the evening, at least. It saddens me too.

No Urmston gran, me too

I never, ever answer or chat with any of my grandchildren until they put their phone/tablet down. I tell them I will never respond unless they do so. Now they always put them down or come away from their Laptop/phone etc when they want to engage with me. I think this is rational, logical and right.

I once visited my daughter unannounced and she was out but her two teenage sons were in. For once they had to talk to me instead of spending time in their rooms. We had a lovely few hours (well I enjoyed it and hope they did). I'm now 'friends' with all of my grandsons on Facebook and get to talk to them on Messenger. Not quite the same as the relationship we had when they were little but better than nothing.

I must admit it's a bit like this in my gran kids house it's" say hello to nana"'so they do then return to iPads! I feel like texting the " bye bye see you soon " when I'm leaving ha ha?Mind you my son says I'm a bit like that since I got my iPad a few years ago! So if you can't beat them join them!!!'

A lot depends on the kid. My now 14 year old GS spent the whole afternoon after the last Sunday lunch I did lolloping on the bed in my 'puter room watching what very likely was rubbish, (No one checked ) and playing games. He has a myriad different devices.

His older brother when visiting, however, brings his tree climbing gear to practice on my walnut tree, or him and his dad escape to the river with their kayaks. He has never had any interest in screens at all.

Different people like different things.

It’s not just teens, in my family their parents are just as bad and I notice more and more in the 60 plus age group are at it as well, particularly those that work, have lots of friends/contacts and use Facebook.

I have no problem getting converstaion out of mine 16.12.8 in one family and a 9 year old from another.In fact sometimesI say my ears are sore .We have all sorts of discussions from euthanasia and abortion..because of the Alabama situation recently to legalised cannabis as their mum is on loads of meds and they like me are checking out its successes .Great young people with hearts of gold ,I'm very proud of them all and yes somedays they watch tripe on TV or i-pads but hey I used to get slated for sneaking a book out with me when I was supposed to be "playing in the fresh air"Times change and if we dont change with them we'll be left behind.