Got my 11yo a refurbished iPhone 11 - here's what I learned

Jan 21 min read

So after about a year of "can I pleeeease get a phone" I finally caved and grabbed a used iPhone 11 from Best Buy for like $180. Set it up with Screen Time limits, app restrictions, location sharing, all of it. First week he was super responsible. Week two... found out he figured out how to disable notifications for certain apps so I wouldn't see what he was doing. Kid's got hacker energy apparently. Anyway, I switched to using MDM (Mobile Device Management) through Apple Business which is way more locked down. It's not perfect but honestly it's been better than constantly checking in on him. Worth the $50/year for Apple Business Support imo.

6 comments122 views

Comments(6)

SSam T.RegularJan 2

Interested in what the year of asking actually taught you. Did he actually want it or was it just peer pressure from school?

VVince R.RegularJan 2

Did you set up parental controls right away or did you try the trust approach first? Genuinely asking because I have no idea what I'm doing.

DDale J.RegularJan 3

Please tell me he didn't immediately demand an upgrade or start asking for AirPods or whatever.

CChrisNew DadJan 3

How are you handling the screen time without losing your mind? That's my main anxiety with getting my 10yo a phone.

AAndy S.RegularJan 4

The refurbished iPhone 11 is solid for that age. Battery still holding up okay after a year of heavy use?

DDerekNew DadJan 3

That 'year of asking' period sounds like torture. Did he understand that the wait was actually character building or did he just think you were being mean?