Comments on: A paean for technology-free(?) childhood

My kids are growing up too fast in technology, and it scares me.

[deepwave]

I guess the old Greek adage applies to kids using new technology vs. old tech too.: "Everything in moderation."

[Pete Bardo]

Hey, Matt,

You know a lot of this is up to you as the parent. It's up to you to see that they play soccer, read books, write more/text less. She's 3 years old. What you teach her today will have more and longer lasting effect on her than anything you can do in the future. Stop blaming outside influences for her education, or lack thereof, and start taking some responsibility for her development.

[The_Decider]

Any knowledge that is worth obtaining can not be found in a simple sentence.

I think the most damaging aspect is that it prevents people from actually thinking and making logical connections.

[dragonbite]

My wife cought our (then) 4 year old logging into the computer but instead of using his username he was using "daddy". At 4 he's trying to hack into my account?!! At age 5 he asked me what my username was! Yeeesh, I'm going to have to watch him!

Kids, though, do need time away from technology. Our house, luckily, has a yard with paths through bushes up and down the hill, open fields, trees and rocks and "stuff" to help keep them occupied and while they don't know about text messaging they are learning about the internet and that just about everything is available at www.<anything>.com! Ugh!

Thank goodness for DansGuardian content filter! At least it may catch comething before I have time to click the close button!

[unbreakable2008]

I don't know about the article below. I find myself wondering how much more I would know and how much more capable I would be if I had access to the internet and fantastic tools like 4 core computers when I was a kid. I remember I had a hard time when I was young finding the books I wanted to read or watching a documentary. Back then video was not on demand..lol! You had to actually wait and see it by chance on TV. Now all the information a curious brain can ever hope for is out there?

However I dont know what impact it would have on my character. I am a person of technology who puts humans first.. the machines should be an extension of the mind.. a servant not the ruler. If I grew up immersed in technology I would not perhaps have the views I have now. It kinda bothers me that everyone seems to be holding and using a gadget all the time? everywhere! People roam along silently or talking on gismos, and they never have the time to interact or even look each other in the eye. Sure they are interacting with someone on the phone or internet via the gadget but they are not interacting with the people around them. Its like they live in a bubble. I love technology but when do people stop people people and start becoming cyborgs?

ping back from http://computerboom.blogspot.com/2008/11/paean-for-technology-free-childhood.html

[alaxsxaq]

Personally, I do not restrict access to technology for my 3 year old daughter except where it produces a manufactured experience and stifles her own creativity. In that vein, we've done away with the TV and exposure to entertainment on the internet or through toys that proscribe the limits of interaction is limited. I feel that a creative mind provides a lucrative path for her future and strive to create an environment that encourages her to explore and be creative. You may be interested in exploring the advantages of a Waldorf education for your child. My daughter has been involved in that form of education since she was 6 months old and I attribute her sense of creativity and exploration to things she has learned there.