Dad horrified by his family's tech addiction changes wifi password and says it's ‘down,’ family has the most wholesome offline weekend: ‘Everyone needed the break, even if they didn’t realize it.'

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Dec 12, 2025 7:00 AM EST

It isn't easy being a parenting during these high-tech times. Everyone is glued to their screens and have forgotten how to function without wi-fi. Well, this dad had enough of that. He took his family and extended family to his parents' cabin that was supposed to be a wholesome weekend of spending time together and bonding. But everyone, even the adults, were all off on their own scrolling. So, as the unofficial "tech guy" for the family, he "fixed" the wifi. And by fixed, he means he pretended to work on a "lagging issue" but instead changed the password and told everyone that is was down for the weekend. Now that there was no tech to distract everyone, the family ended up bonding. They played outdoors, boardgames, and even held conversations until late in the night. He says it was the "best" time that they had in "years."

 

Unfortunately, he had to share the new password to his parents who own the home and his mom ratted him out to the family. His "forced quality time" wasn't seen so nice anymore to some family members. He was accused to lying and taking advantage of them. However, others appreciated what he did and applauded him. He stood his ground and said that if they wanted a weekend with wi-fi, they can rent their own place next time. 

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  • "AITJ for secretly shutting down the wifi at our family cabin so people would actually act like family?"

    Cheezburger Image 10586274816
    via Unsplash+ (and Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I (31M) am the unofficial IT guy of my family. My parents have this small cabin by a lake that used to be super low tech, just card games, fishing, bonfire, that kind of vibe.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • During lockdown I helped them get basic internet installed so my dad could do remote checkups and my mom could video call relatives.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • Problem is, every time we go there now it turns into 8 people glued to phones and tablets while I crawl behind the TV fixing Chromecast, updating apps, resetting routers.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • Last month we had our first big summer weekend there with cousins after years. I was hyped to actually hang out, maybe go on the boat, teach the kids to make a fire.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • First night everyone arrived, said hi, then instantly "what's the wifi again?" and shoved devices in my face.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • Next morning my cousin was on a work Zoom in the living room shushing kids, another was streaming some series at full volume.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • I got petty. When I "fixed" a small lag issue on the router I just changed the password, wrote it down for my parents only and told everyone that signal in the area is unstable and we should expect it to drop.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • For the rest of the weekend there was "no wifi". People were annoyed first, then they actually started playing board games, swimming, talking on the dock till midnight.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • It was honestly the best time we had in years. On the drive back my cousin found out from my mom that the internet was fine and I had just changed the password.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • Group chat exploded, I got called manipulative and controlling and that some of them needed wifi for "emergencies" and babysitting (aka YouTube).
    via guitaristjamelin
  • I told them if they want guaranteed internet they can rent their own place next time.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • Now half the family says I disrespected them and abused their trust. AITJ for forcing an offline weekend by lying about the wifi dying.
    via guitaristjamelin
  • 17 10 4 3 2 4 12 5 A 6 9999 11 12- 10 12 7
    via Unsplash+ (and Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • nowstheworstoftimes Some people just can't keep a secret. I probably wouldn't have told anyone.
    via nowstheworstoftimes
  • ilovelucy1200 You're the jerk but it's ok, they all had a memorable weekend and will laugh about it later.
    via nowstheworstoftimes
  • FlirtyPeach_ the weekend clearly proved everyone needed the break, even if they didn't realize it.
    via nowstheworstoftimes
  • oylaura YTJ but the best kind. They may not appreciate it now, but looking back, I promise they will.
    via nowstheworstoftimes
  • Either Management813 The issue here isn't that you wanted a WiFi free trip, it's thst you lied, so you are a bit of a jerk on this. You could have gotten everyone to agree in advance, you could have set hours that were WiFi free, you could even have told everyone before the trip that there would be no WiFi. But instead you lied. Next time, be honest before everyone went in the trip.
    via nowstheworstoftimes
  • NTA DereCheffe Withdrawl from social Media is what you are seeing. The addicts dont have any understanding, why its good for them, to take it away.
    via nowstheworstoftimes

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tech free fatherhood family holiday wifi parenting wifi free dad family Tech offline family vacation parents Father
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