Cmoneyspinner
<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/screen-time/201609/television-tots-guilt-free-co-viewing-recommendations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
Voices in the technology industry are being raised and concerns are being expressed regarding the addictive use of technology; especially its effect or impact on the development of young brains.
There have been reports of children who became violent when their parents took away a mobile phone or a laptop or some other electronic device. Sad true stories that ended tragically. One may think these incidents are “exceptional behavior”. These incidents, outside observers may say, were parents who did not recognize that the child’s dependence on the device had gotten out of hand. It is not the norm.
However, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates who made his fortune designing “world-changing technology” and who is also a father of three, has always limited his kids’ use of tech devices. He implemented safeguards against the excessive use or addiction years ago. He seems to have been aware of the potential detrimental impact on a child psychological development.
Gates was not alone in implementing this “restricted tech use in the home” rules. The late Steve Jobs, Apple CEO and the man who invented the iPad, didn’t allow his children to use the product at home.
Other influential persons in the tech industry acknowledge digital technology’s addictive power and are taking steps to educate the public, particularly the parents, about the harm tech products can do to developing young minds.
When it comes to children using technological devices, these persons are all in agreement that moderation is the key.
I would say that overuse of technology and tech devices can certainly adversely impact one’s social skills. Not just kids. Adults too! I also think parents should bend over backward to protect their kids from cyberbullying. First Lady Melania Trump was wise to choose this as her “good work”.
Do you agree?
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REFERENCES:
Weller, Chris. “Bill Gates Is Surprisingly Strict about His Kids’ Tech Use- and It Should Be a Red Flag for the Rest of Us.” Business Insider, 14 Jan. 2018, www.businessinsider.com/how-bill-gates-limits-tech-use-for-his-kids-2018-1.
Flora, Carlin. “Moderation Is the Key to Life.” Psychology Today, SussexPublishers, 4 July 2017, www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201707/moderation-is-the-key-life. “Health, well-being, and success rest on one principle: In all things moderation.”
Weaver, Hilary. “Melania Trump Finally Starts Her Work Against Cyberbullying.” Vanities, Vanity Fair, 20 Sept. 2017, www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/09/melania-trump-speaks-on-cyberbullying-at-united-nations.
the problem is that Jobs kids are in their late 20s and early 30s so they were not in this generation of tech users. Somewhat not applicable.
The management of technology is what Gates advocates. I think he is right, but it isn’t a restriction it’s more making sure you know how to do things the manual or original way as well!
When I was a kid the TV and rock-n-roll music were supposed to have a corrupting corrosive influence on my childhood development. In my generation, it was TV and rock-n-roll. In my kids’ generation, it’s violent video games and predators on social media. My point being, in every generation, each new technological advance is often met with a “wary eye” and even opposed by well-meaning parents and adults responsible for nurturing a child. It’s good that they have objections and they make them known and they do whatever is in their power to protect that child. A child will always be more precious than any piece of technology. I’m sure you agree.
oh yeah. The reality of what was bad for us (and what was good for us)
In the 1940s cigarettes were advertised as being calming agents!
Don’t get me started on the health benefits(?) and the “glamour” of smoking cigarettes. I still remember the candy cigarettes we kids used to buy so we could pretend to smoke cigarettes like the grown-ups.
Bubble Gum Cigars!
i had a teacher (3rd grade) that gave those out to us!
I think even adults must follow that wise advice lol
I agree with Gates and Jobs on setting guidelines and restrictions on kids use of smartphones and iPads for instance. But the real problem often is our own use of these devices, the parents. Kid’s do what we do. If we can’t control our us, how can they? If we don’t put restrictions on us? How can we put it on them? I think it has to go hand in hand. If we use Facebook a lot, why should they not use SnapChat a lot? Whats the differences?
Wise parenting. An excess of anything is not a good thing.