
Kids these days are just too clever for their own good.
Some studies have shown that children who constantly play video games suffer from impaired brain development, leading to a number of modern electronic devices coming equipped with usage limiting functions, to offer control over how much time kids spend playing them.
For Japanese Twitter user @akinorikappa, his younger brother was provided with an iPad by his junior high school. It came with usage restrictions, but the clever boy found a way to bypass it and continued using the device to his heart’s content.
▼ Never underestimate the ingenuity of youths today.
(Translation below)
弟の中学校でiPad配られてんだけど、9時過ぎると自動的にネット接続が遮断されるようになってるのよ。んで今日弟がそれ使ってる最中に9時過ぎてどうすんのかなと思って見てたら、設定を東京からニューヨーク変えてそのまま続行しててクッソ笑った。
— かわにし (@akinoriryohan) October 22, 2018
“iPads were distributed to students at my brother’s junior high school, and their Internet connections were designed to automatically cut off at 9 p.m. And so at nine today I looked over to see what would happen as my brother was using it. The system settings had been changed from Tokyo to New York and it was still connected. I had a good laugh out of that.”
Changing the settings to New York would essentially rewind the clock to 8 a.m., but some netizens were not convinced that a Japanese school would hand out something as expensive as an iPad, instead suspecting @akinorikappa of spinning a story for her 15 minutes of fame.
▼ “I highly doubt junior high schools would give out iPads in the first place.”
そもそも中学校でipadが配られていることに疑問
— たぬきおやじ (@_Tanuki_OyazI_) October 23, 2018
But @akinorikappa assured them that it was a private school that “encouraged” students to buy the devices rather than hand it out for free.
▼ “It’s a private school and the iPads are actually bought instead.”
私立の中学校なので配られるというよりは買ってると思います。
— かわにし (@akinoriryohan) October 23, 2018
Other netizens were impressed at how the younger generation can be so tech-savvy:
“A genius has just appeared.”
“That’s excellent. He has already understood the fundamentals of UTC.”
“Thanks to stuff like these, the new generation will be competent at gadgets.”
“What a lifehack.”
“Such creativity is important. Adults should not be furious at their achievements.”
The learning capacity of children is astounding, and no matter how much they are constrained, they always seem to find ways to spread their wings. Proper guidance is a necessity, however, as recklessness at such a young age can wreak cyber havoc if left unattended.
Source: Twitter/@akinorikappa via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Pakutaso

Kyoto families angered by new policy forcing high school students to buy tablets at own expense
Japanese junior high school student pranks teacher by lacing school lunch with laxative
Do Minecraft lessons, an edible garden, and diploma iPads make this the greatest school in Japan?
Junior high school in Japan introduces trial afternoon nap time for students
Elementary and junior high students speak out on Japan’s strangest school rules
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Time to get wet: Underwater photos of girls in sailor suits and… plastic exoskeletons?
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s 10 best Ferris wheels for beautiful views, as chosen by travelers【Survey】
The Japan National Championship of Magic 2025 coming to Tokyo this May
Hidden oasis on a Japanese department store rooftop is home to Monet’s Pond in Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
With the New Dual iPad App “Rich Book” You Can Up Your Chances of Being Mugged to 94%
1 in 20 Japanese junior high school students regularly missing school, government study finds
Okazaki City gives all elementary and junior high students portable Vocaloid software
Japanese high school student becomes Twitter sensation showing difference between time with boyfriend and friends
Survey finds obesity rates fell, but eyesight worsened among Japanese schoolchildren
Sports-playing Japanese junior high students at an all-time low, survey finds
Japanese junior high schooler worries everyone with attempt to traverse America by hitchhiking
Blackboards in the west, hallways in the north: Japanese school layouts spark discussion online
Teacher stares down bear at school in Japan, saving students from harm
Study shows that 61 percent of Japanese junior high students can’t use a can opener
Japanese high school students build crazy wooden roller coaster at school festival【Video】
Japanese high school students go viral with perfect Pixar logo performance 【Video】
Boy threatens to stab school staff forcing elementary students to wear Giorgio Armani uniforms
Osaka’s new remote-learning policy leaves teachers strained and forces students to go to school
Japanese student dons full protective gear to return to school during coronavirus pandemic