The Kids Are Alright AKA The Parents’ Thread

[Rorschach]

How have you managed it with your kids? I don't have kids but I am 'tech savvy' (I'm a web developer). All the brick in the world out there waiting for them, to mess with their developing brains makes me feel like I would be a complete dictator with it. But locking them away is logically also not the correct way to do it.

I have not managed it well enough is how I feel about it. I have a ban on a few of the worst apps for the two younger kids and I was strict on hours at the start, but even with that I am a long way from the balance I would really like to strike. Honestly, I think I've failed on this front.

 

[DaveT316]

I have not managed it well enough is how I feel about it. I have a ban on a few of the worst apps for the two younger kids and I was strict on hours at the start, but even with that I am a long way from the balance I would really like to strike. Honestly, I think I've failed on this front.

I’m sorry you feel that way. I can only imagine how hard it is to police and walk the line between banning sources of harmful content vs equipping children with the knowledge and confidence to make positive decisions. I can see the argument for and against for both.

Ultimately, my feeling is we’re all swimming against a tide (tsunami?) in terms of the digitisation of society and big tech needs to do so much better here. Obviously, there is parental responsibility too, but it’s just not something we had exposure to in our (?) age. I’m 41.

I was discussing it with my wife the other night - three episodes into Adolescence - on just how and why things are so different now for kids. I think it’s that the intensity of friendships has ramped up through technology. When we went home from school, you weren’t in contact - for better or worse - with your friends until the next day. Now they’re constantly connected.

Anyway, try not to be too hard on yourself.