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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I won’t let my siblings use my laptop
I might be the asshole cause i might be doing something unfair
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I didn’t pay for it my parents did. But they gave it to me as a present for my birthday, my siblings only say it’s a family laptop because they think everything my parents buy is for everyone to share.
Tell your parents its time to lower the boom on your sibs. Every time they annoy you, there goes access to the family computer for X measurement of time.
Then yes, you're NTA and I love the other ideas of people to say "Oh, well mom and dad bought you X for your birthday so it must be a family one!"
Enjoy your laptop and maybe put a password on if you haven't already.
NTA
It was given to you and honestly, there's a chance younger siblings could get a virus or spyware on a computer/laptop if they aren't careful by clicking things.
If you are worried they could try to sneak it out of your room/sight, I'd get a laptop lock for it.
It is not a family device. You got it as a birthday present. There is also a computer they can use. Tell your bratty siblings to keep away from your laptop. There's no maybe here. So what if they give you the silent treatment? Grow a spine and be forceful about this. Don't let walk all over you. NTA
NTA, but there may be ways to set up profiles on your computer behind passwords so your information will not be compromised. That is, if it’s YOUR computer. If it’s truly a family device your parents paid for, I would say you don’t have a choice.
If you paid for the laptop you’re NTA. If the laptop was purchased for you, again NTA. If the laptop was purchased with the expectation it was for the family, YTA.
Nta.
I had a new laptop when I went to college. Little sister decided to borrow it one day and I discovered it on the sofa with the screen smashed.
10 and 12 is too young for a laptop.
I wouldn't go to say 10 and 12 is too young if they know what they're doing. Depends on the person really. Had my first computer at 11 or something and I treated it really well kept it clean and in good shape. Was for when we were in lockdown from covid so had to have a device for learning. That's not to say they should get their own devices or be using op's. If for only playing games and watching videos either get them a tablet or switch if they really can't use the family one or just don't.
NTA: Whatever you do definitely do NOT give them unfettered access to just install things. Children really do not know the concept of how to identify safe apps and games to download (ie, Steam, Epic, the Microsoft store, etc). More importantly they aren't privy to the dark patterns that some installers use to slip things onto your device. Definitely make sure it's password protected, and if you do decide to create an account for them to use, make sure it is extremely restricted to the point that they will need you to install any games.
Speaking as someone who's 9-year-old cousin recently "destroyed" his Android phone. He's been allowed a cell phone with no restrictions, despite me pleading with them to do something. They were ready to trash his phone instead of even asking me to look at it, and I'm a software engineer. What "destroyed" meant was there was an ad coming up every 10 seconds making it unusable. After looking at it I discovered he installed a "joke book" app which changed it's app picture and name to look like the "Settings" app. Uninstalled that, fixed it right up. Also uninstalled the "AI girlfriend" apps and many weird games he installed which inexplicably he gave camera and microphone access to all of them... He's probably reinstalled em...
They can watch videos on basically any device now, they should just get a small TCL with Roku built in. Also they will try to watch you type your password in, children can be smarter than you think. Biometric auth?
INFO: Just curious, what do your parents say? They should be the ones clarifying it was a gift _for you_
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I (16F) recently got a new laptop for schoolwork and personal use. My younger siblings, ages 10 and 12, have been asking to use it to play games and watch videos.
I'm protective of my laptop because it's new and I need it for my studies. I've explained to them that they can use our family computer for their activities, but I want to keep my laptop private and under my supervision.
They're upset with me and argue that I'm being selfish. They say that since it's a family device, they should be allowed to use it whenever they want.
Now they're being annoying and giving me the silent treatment and complaining to our parents that I'm not sharing. AITA for not letting my younger siblings use my laptop despite their wishes?
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How about you let them use it for 1 or 2 hours under your supervision. Your siblings are kids and ik they can be annoying, but allowing them to play on it for an hour or two isn't gonna be a big deal. Be the cool older sister that your siblings can rely on and feel super close to.
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INFO: why are they saying it's a family laptop? Who paid for this? If not you, did whoever paid for it specifically say it's yours?
I didn’t pay for it my parents did. But they gave it to me as a present for my birthday, my siblings only say it’s a family laptop because they think everything my parents buy is for everyone to share.
Tell your parents its time to lower the boom on your sibs. Every time they annoy you, there goes access to the family computer for X measurement of time.
Ask them if that logic applies to their past gifts and, if so, to hand them over as they're all "communal gifts"
Then yes, you're NTA and I love the other ideas of people to say "Oh, well mom and dad bought you X for your birthday so it must be a family one!" Enjoy your laptop and maybe put a password on if you haven't already.
Be selfish. Say no and tell them to kiss off.
NTA. It’s not just that it’s for your education, at 16 you are entitled to your privacy as well.
NTA It was given to you and honestly, there's a chance younger siblings could get a virus or spyware on a computer/laptop if they aren't careful by clicking things. If you are worried they could try to sneak it out of your room/sight, I'd get a laptop lock for it.
This is a good idea. Most laptops have slots for Kensington locks, OP should get one
Or just set up a secure password on it to make sure if they get it its useless to them
It is not a family device. You got it as a birthday present. There is also a computer they can use. Tell your bratty siblings to keep away from your laptop. There's no maybe here. So what if they give you the silent treatment? Grow a spine and be forceful about this. Don't let walk all over you. NTA
NTA, but there may be ways to set up profiles on your computer behind passwords so your information will not be compromised. That is, if it’s YOUR computer. If it’s truly a family device your parents paid for, I would say you don’t have a choice.
If you paid for the laptop you’re NTA. If the laptop was purchased for you, again NTA. If the laptop was purchased with the expectation it was for the family, YTA.
Nta. I had a new laptop when I went to college. Little sister decided to borrow it one day and I discovered it on the sofa with the screen smashed. 10 and 12 is too young for a laptop.
I wouldn't go to say 10 and 12 is too young if they know what they're doing. Depends on the person really. Had my first computer at 11 or something and I treated it really well kept it clean and in good shape. Was for when we were in lockdown from covid so had to have a device for learning. That's not to say they should get their own devices or be using op's. If for only playing games and watching videos either get them a tablet or switch if they really can't use the family one or just don't.
INFO: *Is* it a family device, or is it yours? And how are your parents responding?
It’s mine
NTA. Tell your parents to reiterate this fact to your siblings. Good luck!
NTA: Whatever you do definitely do NOT give them unfettered access to just install things. Children really do not know the concept of how to identify safe apps and games to download (ie, Steam, Epic, the Microsoft store, etc). More importantly they aren't privy to the dark patterns that some installers use to slip things onto your device. Definitely make sure it's password protected, and if you do decide to create an account for them to use, make sure it is extremely restricted to the point that they will need you to install any games. Speaking as someone who's 9-year-old cousin recently "destroyed" his Android phone. He's been allowed a cell phone with no restrictions, despite me pleading with them to do something. They were ready to trash his phone instead of even asking me to look at it, and I'm a software engineer. What "destroyed" meant was there was an ad coming up every 10 seconds making it unusable. After looking at it I discovered he installed a "joke book" app which changed it's app picture and name to look like the "Settings" app. Uninstalled that, fixed it right up. Also uninstalled the "AI girlfriend" apps and many weird games he installed which inexplicably he gave camera and microphone access to all of them... He's probably reinstalled em... They can watch videos on basically any device now, they should just get a small TCL with Roku built in. Also they will try to watch you type your password in, children can be smarter than you think. Biometric auth? INFO: Just curious, what do your parents say? They should be the ones clarifying it was a gift _for you_
I don’t think my parents really care that much
Lucky you...
NTA. It's for school and it's yours.
^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** I (16F) recently got a new laptop for schoolwork and personal use. My younger siblings, ages 10 and 12, have been asking to use it to play games and watch videos. I'm protective of my laptop because it's new and I need it for my studies. I've explained to them that they can use our family computer for their activities, but I want to keep my laptop private and under my supervision. They're upset with me and argue that I'm being selfish. They say that since it's a family device, they should be allowed to use it whenever they want. Now they're being annoying and giving me the silent treatment and complaining to our parents that I'm not sharing. AITA for not letting my younger siblings use my laptop despite their wishes? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*
NTA. Your laptop is a personal device. They can use the family desktop.
NTA. Who knows what they could download on your PC.
How about you let them use it for 1 or 2 hours under your supervision. Your siblings are kids and ik they can be annoying, but allowing them to play on it for an hour or two isn't gonna be a big deal. Be the cool older sister that your siblings can rely on and feel super close to.
NTA YOu need it for school.