YES! As adults we are hardly capable of controlling our own addiction to these devices and algorithms. It only takes 10 minutes of watching a kid navigate Youtube to see how it pulls in their brain, and to see their eyes dim as they mainline dopamine into their souls. I just watched the new Netflix mini series on the dangers of kid influencers on YouTube and it's the scariest thing I've watched in a long time. These kids are not kids anymore. :(
Appreciate this so much! One thing to keep in mind when trying to change a family media strategy is that a change will always be hard at first. You can't look at a couple days of complains about the wi-fi turning off at 8 and think that whole thing is a failure. I try to remind myself that kids get used to things quickly, they are famously resilient, and no one can force me to provide things like unrestricted internet access or junk food. I can be the weird mom.
I also think we have some un-learning to do. I have this cartoon appear in my head where a parent tells his kids to get off a device and have time outside, before going to work and spending 8 hours in front of a screen. If we are going to say no (which we need to) then we also need to remember how we used to live and offer up real alternatives.
Great read thanks for sharing this Kelly. Another part of this story that comes to mind is how will the children who’s whole lives have been documented on big social platforms for the financial gain of both the platforms and their parents respond to the experience theyve had?
This hits so hard. Thank you for providing the resources towards the end. Working in the industry and having a partner who plays PC games as his primary hobby, limiting tech exposure feels hypocritical and inevitable at times. It’s really just another parenting moment where we need to remind ourselves that we are the adults and the parents. Boundaries may be hard to set and hold, but they are there for a reason. *Breathing deeply* It’s gonna be ok, right?
YES! As adults we are hardly capable of controlling our own addiction to these devices and algorithms. It only takes 10 minutes of watching a kid navigate Youtube to see how it pulls in their brain, and to see their eyes dim as they mainline dopamine into their souls. I just watched the new Netflix mini series on the dangers of kid influencers on YouTube and it's the scariest thing I've watched in a long time. These kids are not kids anymore. :(
Appreciate this so much! One thing to keep in mind when trying to change a family media strategy is that a change will always be hard at first. You can't look at a couple days of complains about the wi-fi turning off at 8 and think that whole thing is a failure. I try to remind myself that kids get used to things quickly, they are famously resilient, and no one can force me to provide things like unrestricted internet access or junk food. I can be the weird mom.
Yes! We can be the weird moms!!
I also think we have some un-learning to do. I have this cartoon appear in my head where a parent tells his kids to get off a device and have time outside, before going to work and spending 8 hours in front of a screen. If we are going to say no (which we need to) then we also need to remember how we used to live and offer up real alternatives.
Great read thanks for sharing this Kelly. Another part of this story that comes to mind is how will the children who’s whole lives have been documented on big social platforms for the financial gain of both the platforms and their parents respond to the experience theyve had?
This hits so hard. Thank you for providing the resources towards the end. Working in the industry and having a partner who plays PC games as his primary hobby, limiting tech exposure feels hypocritical and inevitable at times. It’s really just another parenting moment where we need to remind ourselves that we are the adults and the parents. Boundaries may be hard to set and hold, but they are there for a reason. *Breathing deeply* It’s gonna be ok, right?
Yes! It’s about finding what’s best for your kid, for your family, which may be different than what’s best for Big Tech’s bottom line.
Side note, I now have a name for why I always thought Madame Toussads was so creepy. 😂