Got my kids off TikTok and I feel like a hero

Apr 25·1 min read

After months of pushing back against my 13yo and 15yo, I finally got them to delete TikTok off their phones. Took away their devices for a week, explained the algorithm stuff, showed them articles about the mental health impacts. First week was rough with the complaining but now they're actually talking to me again at dinner. They found Discord communities around their gaming instead and honestly I can live with that. It's not a total win but it's something.

5 comments189 views

Comments(5)

IIan P.RegularApr 25

Nice work sticking with it. I've got four kids and the TikTok battle is real. The key is what you fill that time with next, otherwise they just find another app. What are they doing instead?

SStan D.RegularApr 25

Man, that's a huge win. The week without devices is rough but it really does reset things. How are they doing now that they're off it? Mine still fight me on screen time but seeing real improvements too.

EEricRegularApr 25

YES. Finally someone said it. My 13yo fought me tooth and nail on this. Told her friends were still on it, that everyone uses it, the whole nine yards. But after about three months of consistent pushback she actually came around. The peace of mind is worth every awkward conversation.

DDanny K.RegularApr 26

How did you actually get them to delete it? My 15yo won't even hear it. I'm not trying to be a tyrant but some of that content is just... no. What was your approach?

MMarcoRegularApr 26

I'm genuinely curious about your process here because we're thinking about doing the same with our two. Did you replace it with anything else or just set the boundary and hold it?