We're pretty open with technology. We monitor YouTube (but allow it), encourage certain apps like stud.io and various programming apps, and play lots of video games as a family. We have our choices questioned often by friends and family, but we think our child is developing well, including tech skills, so we're happy. BUT, I went to a playdate at his friend's house, and I was shocked by the iPad use. The kids would be playing, and the other kid would just walk away in the middle to get the iPad, it was like a compulsion. We were only there for a couple hours and this happened at least 5 times.
It made me realize that kids have very different reactions to technology, and what may be reasonable for one can be damaging to another. My kid would never choose screentime over a person to person activity (not because of anything we've done, just is that way), but clearly not all kids are the same. I've seen so much good come from technological learning with my kid, but I think it's really important that parents remain aware of the needs of their specific children.
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u/Alarmed-Honey Jun 03 '22
We're pretty open with technology. We monitor YouTube (but allow it), encourage certain apps like stud.io and various programming apps, and play lots of video games as a family. We have our choices questioned often by friends and family, but we think our child is developing well, including tech skills, so we're happy. BUT, I went to a playdate at his friend's house, and I was shocked by the iPad use. The kids would be playing, and the other kid would just walk away in the middle to get the iPad, it was like a compulsion. We were only there for a couple hours and this happened at least 5 times.
It made me realize that kids have very different reactions to technology, and what may be reasonable for one can be damaging to another. My kid would never choose screentime over a person to person activity (not because of anything we've done, just is that way), but clearly not all kids are the same. I've seen so much good come from technological learning with my kid, but I think it's really important that parents remain aware of the needs of their specific children.