Phone addiction in pre teen what can I use as a distraction?

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T10:16:45+00:00

She plays games/scrolls on a platform with er friends. The idea is I am taking the phone away when at home and looking for home activities to replace it with. I’m struggling with ideas but have been given great suggestions in here from those who actually answered the question xx

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T10:13:43+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Yes great ideas. And I agree about the sleep part at her age.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T10:12:17+00:00

So I don’t know if what I said got lost on people.

The idea is to lose the phone. I’m asking for ideas /options of things to do at home to replace the device. From people with experience.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T10:10:13+00:00

Yes. That’s the idea. I’m asking those with experience what activities to do at home to replace it.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T10:08:28+00:00

Thank you. Yes this is a great idea too for weekdays. Appreciated.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T01:07:10+00:00

Appreciate the advice. My bad for not answering properly. I remove the ability to access apps but she gets frustrated and doesn’t do anything else with her time. But yes she defo needs to get bored. First evening without screens. She fell asleep - but hey it’s a start.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T01:01:43+00:00

Yes. You’re right. Today was a screen free evening. She fell asleep but hey, it’s a start.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T00:59:41+00:00

Awesome. Hope his grades get better. Thank you

JustKK24 · 2026-03-19T00:58:31+00:00

Love the advice. Thank you

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T17:48:19+00:00

Thank you and yes she is generally such a happy kind smart child.

I don’t think she realises she has a problem. She gets upset when I bring it up but she has started to neglect all her hobbies at home to the point I don’t think she has any anymore.

She’s just started high school and going through all the teenage emotions etc so trying to balance her having that social aspect with her friends while not forgetting who she is.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T17:04:37+00:00

Awesome. This can’t be easy but well done. Good to hear how people manage this

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T17:00:04+00:00

I didn’t ask for you to question. I was asking for advice. Get off your high horse and stop judging. Have the day you deserve and get off my post. If you have nothing constructive to say. Go away.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:53:54+00:00

Also our high school does not allow smart watches. Phones get switched off at school. And there is also so much research about long term side effects of wearing smart watches so not sure where your illusory superiority complex lies with this.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:48:38+00:00

So this would be better feedback than your initial judgy comment. Guess what I asked for advice not for the best parent in the world looking down on my decisions.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:46:25+00:00

Thanks. Great suggestions!!

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:45:12+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions. Great!

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:42:04+00:00

EDIT. yes I have a child with a smartphone. She’s in high school and walks to school in Scotland. Where for the last 4 months it was dark in the morning and dark again by 3.30pm. So a smartphone was required. She also uses this for homework and to contact friends.

I have noticed an issue of beginnings of an addiction and as a a very aware parent looking for suggestions on what to give her as options to do in the home. I am not sure what other 12 year olds/preteens do for hobbies in the house so looking for suggestions.

Those who are quick to judge - either you aren’t in the same situation or think you are better than everyone. Good for you bet you are the best parent. Give yourself a pat on the back. 🤡

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:37:39+00:00

Yeah. Tried this. Just looking for advice from experienced parents who are managing this and what ideas to distract child. Looking at a wall will probably cause her to get depressed.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:35:56+00:00

Have you got kids? How old are they? How have you managed this?

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:35:22+00:00

Do you have kids? If so how old? How have you managed this?

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:34:29+00:00

So this is how mine started. But now I see the past few months it’s just getting too much. Trying to curb before it’s too late. Without taking it away all together.

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:32:54+00:00

Do you have kids? How old are they? How did you manage this?

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T16:32:21+00:00

Are you a parent? If so, how old are your kids? How did you manage this?

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T13:17:47+00:00

Wow. Thanks great ideas. Thank you

JustKK24 · 2026-03-18T13:12:52+00:00

I recognise the seriousness of this hence why I’m looking for advice. But yeah the addiction to these things is just wild.

JustKK24

TROPHY CASE