Raising kids the low-tech way

[Anonymous]

Yup. Mine are ES so it's easier. No phones, no gaming systems. Computer for school but thankfully their school limits it to testing and a few assignments. They do not have HW on the computers.

[Anonymous]

I think video games are good, actually

Thing is, we give our kid unrestricted time on his Gameboy color

Like, we can still say “you need to put that down and go play outside” but it’s not like “only X hours of Gameboy”

It doesn’t have a backlight and makes a huge difference, it’s healthier than an iPad we believe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they in school yet? Screens are ubiquitous - and wait until MS and HS- all homework is done on the computer

One can opt out of that.

No, they cannot.

Yes they can. Learn something silly.

In some districts you really can't, Ours went paperless last year so we switched to homeschooling.

Religious exemptions. If they refuse, sue, and kids become independently wealthy trust-fund kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they in school yet? Screens are ubiquitous - and wait until MS and HS- all homework is done on the computer

One can opt out of that.

No, they cannot.

Yes they can. Learn something silly.

In some districts you really can't, Ours went paperless last year so we switched to homeschooling.

Religious exemptions. If they refuse, sue, and kids become independently wealthy trust-fund kids.

And receive zero teacher recommendations, grades posted even later than they are on laptops, etc.


Yes it sucks. Either homeschool, find a no screens private, or suck it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they in school yet? Screens are ubiquitous - and wait until MS and HS- all homework is done on the computer

One can opt out of that.

No, they cannot.

Yes they can. Learn something silly.

In some districts you really can't, Ours went paperless last year so we switched to homeschooling.

Religious exemptions. If they refuse, sue, and kids become independently wealthy trust-fund kids.

And receive zero teacher recommendations, grades posted even later than they are on laptops, etc.


Yes it sucks. Either homeschool, find a no screens private, or suck it up.

For what? Who cares?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t access the article, but I’m trying to raise my kids similar how I was raised- I don’t restrict tv. We have iPads that only come out for long drives (3-4+ hours), plane travel, or if a kid is sick and needs to be confined to their room. My oldest is 7 and so far I’ve been able to avoid buying video games, though that’s getting harder as my son grows.

My 7 year old does have some homework on the iPad a couple of times a week, so it’s a bit unavoidable but I’m ok with it for schoolwork.

Now I need to work on my using my own home around the kids.

I am firmly against kids having access to iPads and iPhones.

Why do they need iPads for long drives or plane travels? I don’t restrict TV either but we don’t use iPads or computer games in the car or plane. My 10 year old has been taking a four hour flight about twice a year as an unaccompanied minor since she was seven years old. And before that she’s been flying with family. I’m not anti-tech in school but there’s no reason to use iPads when traveling. At the airport there are so many little kids with iPads. They aren’t present to where they are or what they’re doing because their eyes never leave the screen.

We packed an activity set for the plane when she started flying alone. The first time I asked her if there were other kids sitting next to her. She said yes, a 9 year old but she was on her phone the whole flight. It was a missed opportunity for two kids to get to know each other, to talk about their trips.

We don’t use iPads on long car rides either. You have a captive audience with your young kids to play games, listen to music together and just talk. With iPads they probably don’t even look out the windows.

I don’t have a problem with teens having a phone with travel but under the age of 13 there’s no reason to have screens while traveling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think video games are good, actually

Thing is, we give our kid unrestricted time on his Gameboy color

Like, we can still say “you need to put that down and go play outside” but it’s not like “only X hours of Gameboy”

It doesn’t have a backlight and makes a huge difference, it’s healthier than an iPad we believe

Video games are great as long as it’s not 10 hours a day. It’s a way for many kids, especially boys, to relax after being stressed or anxious all day.

[Anonymous]

Low screen is good. Low tech isn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Low screen is good. Low tech isn’t.

What is the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t access the article, but I’m trying to raise my kids similar how I was raised- I don’t restrict tv. We have iPads that only come out for long drives (3-4+ hours), plane travel, or if a kid is sick and needs to be confined to their room. My oldest is 7 and so far I’ve been able to avoid buying video games, though that’s getting harder as my son grows.

My 7 year old does have some homework on the iPad a couple of times a week, so it’s a bit unavoidable but I’m ok with it for schoolwork.

Now I need to work on my using my own home around the kids.

I am firmly against kids having access to iPads and iPhones.

Why do they need iPads for long drives or plane travels? I don’t restrict TV either but we don’t use iPads or computer games in the car or plane. My 10 year old has been taking a four hour flight about twice a year as an unaccompanied minor since she was seven years old. And before that she’s been flying with family. I’m not anti-tech in school but there’s no reason to use iPads when traveling. At the airport there are so many little kids with iPads. They aren’t present to where they are or what they’re doing because their eyes never leave the screen.

We packed an activity set for the plane when she started flying alone. The first time I asked her if there were other kids sitting next to her. She said yes, a 9 year old but she was on her phone the whole flight. It was a missed opportunity for two kids to get to know each other, to talk about their trips.

We don’t use iPads on long car rides either. You have a captive audience with your young kids to play games, listen to music together and just talk. With iPads they probably don’t even look out the windows.

I don’t have a problem with teens having a phone with travel but under the age of 13 there’s no reason to have screens while traveling.

This is silly. She probably borrows one from someone next to her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t access the article, but I’m trying to raise my kids similar how I was raised- I don’t restrict tv. We have iPads that only come out for long drives (3-4+ hours), plane travel, or if a kid is sick and needs to be confined to their room. My oldest is 7 and so far I’ve been able to avoid buying video games, though that’s getting harder as my son grows.

My 7 year old does have some homework on the iPad a couple of times a week, so it’s a bit unavoidable but I’m ok with it for schoolwork.

Now I need to work on my using my own home around the kids.

I am firmly against kids having access to iPads and iPhones.

Why do they need iPads for long drives or plane travels? I don’t restrict TV either but we don’t use iPads or computer games in the car or plane. My 10 year old has been taking a four hour flight about twice a year as an unaccompanied minor since she was seven years old. And before that she’s been flying with family. I’m not anti-tech in school but there’s no reason to use iPads when traveling. At the airport there are so many little kids with iPads. They aren’t present to where they are or what they’re doing because their eyes never leave the screen.

We packed an activity set for the plane when she started flying alone. The first time I asked her if there were other kids sitting next to her. She said yes, a 9 year old but she was on her phone the whole flight. It was a missed opportunity for two kids to get to know each other, to talk about their trips.

We don’t use iPads on long car rides either. You have a captive audience with your young kids to play games, listen to music together and just talk. With iPads they probably don’t even look out the windows.

I don’t have a problem with teens having a phone with travel but under the age of 13 there’s no reason to have screens while traveling.

Why are you here on screens if you don't believe in it? Set a good example and do zero tech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t access the article, but I’m trying to raise my kids similar how I was raised- I don’t restrict tv. We have iPads that only come out for long drives (3-4+ hours), plane travel, or if a kid is sick and needs to be confined to their room. My oldest is 7 and so far I’ve been able to avoid buying video games, though that’s getting harder as my son grows.

My 7 year old does have some homework on the iPad a couple of times a week, so it’s a bit unavoidable but I’m ok with it for schoolwork.

Now I need to work on my using my own home around the kids.

I am firmly against kids having access to iPads and iPhones.

Why do they need iPads for long drives or plane travels? I don’t restrict TV either but we don’t use iPads or computer games in the car or plane. My 10 year old has been taking a four hour flight about twice a year as an unaccompanied minor since she was seven years old. And before that she’s been flying with family. I’m not anti-tech in school but there’s no reason to use iPads when traveling. At the airport there are so many little kids with iPads. They aren’t present to where they are or what they’re doing because their eyes never leave the screen.

We packed an activity set for the plane when she started flying alone. The first time I asked her if there were other kids sitting next to her. She said yes, a 9 year old but she was on her phone the whole flight. It was a missed opportunity for two kids to get to know each other, to talk about their trips.

We don’t use iPads on long car rides either. You have a captive audience with your young kids to play games, listen to music together and just talk. With iPads they probably don’t even look out the windows.

I don’t have a problem with teens having a phone with travel but under the age of 13 there’s no reason to have screens while traveling.

PP here. A fair point. We really got the iPads to make travel easier for ourselves but obviously that’s not the best reason. Honestly, I figured the usage was so limited it was ok to be a little selfish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t access the article, but I’m trying to raise my kids similar how I was raised- I don’t restrict tv. We have iPads that only come out for long drives (3-4+ hours), plane travel, or if a kid is sick and needs to be confined to their room. My oldest is 7 and so far I’ve been able to avoid buying video games, though that’s getting harder as my son grows.

My 7 year old does have some homework on the iPad a couple of times a week, so it’s a bit unavoidable but I’m ok with it for schoolwork.

Now I need to work on my using my own home around the kids.

I am firmly against kids having access to iPads and iPhones.

Why do they need iPads for long drives or plane travels? I don’t restrict TV either but we don’t use iPads or computer games in the car or plane. My 10 year old has been taking a four hour flight about twice a year as an unaccompanied minor since she was seven years old. And before that she’s been flying with family. I’m not anti-tech in school but there’s no reason to use iPads when traveling. At the airport there are so many little kids with iPads. They aren’t present to where they are or what they’re doing because their eyes never leave the screen.

We packed an activity set for the plane when she started flying alone. The first time I asked her if there were other kids sitting next to her. She said yes, a 9 year old but she was on her phone the whole flight. It was a missed opportunity for two kids to get to know each other, to talk about their trips.

We don’t use iPads on long car rides either. You have a captive audience with your young kids to play games, listen to music together and just talk. With iPads they probably don’t even look out the windows.

I don’t have a problem with teens having a phone with travel but under the age of 13 there’s no reason to have screens while traveling.

This is silly. She probably borrows one from someone next to her.

Who does? These are young kids and I’m sure kids with iPads only have the one. My point is you can get away with not bringing electronics with you at these young ages. I’m sure once you start by giving a two year old an iPad while you’re shopping it will be tough going back. It will be tough to tear them away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t access the article, but I’m trying to raise my kids similar how I was raised- I don’t restrict tv. We have iPads that only come out for long drives (3-4+ hours), plane travel, or if a kid is sick and needs to be confined to their room. My oldest is 7 and so far I’ve been able to avoid buying video games, though that’s getting harder as my son grows.

My 7 year old does have some homework on the iPad a couple of times a week, so it’s a bit unavoidable but I’m ok with it for schoolwork.

Now I need to work on my using my own home around the kids.

I am firmly against kids having access to iPads and iPhones.

Why do they need iPads for long drives or plane travels? I don’t restrict TV either but we don’t use iPads or computer games in the car or plane. My 10 year old has been taking a four hour flight about twice a year as an unaccompanied minor since she was seven years old. And before that she’s been flying with family. I’m not anti-tech in school but there’s no reason to use iPads when traveling. At the airport there are so many little kids with iPads. They aren’t present to where they are or what they’re doing because their eyes never leave the screen.

We packed an activity set for the plane when she started flying alone. The first time I asked her if there were other kids sitting next to her. She said yes, a 9 year old but she was on her phone the whole flight. It was a missed opportunity for two kids to get to know each other, to talk about their trips.

We don’t use iPads on long car rides either. You have a captive audience with your young kids to play games, listen to music together and just talk. With iPads they probably don’t even look out the windows.

I don’t have a problem with teens having a phone with travel but under the age of 13 there’s no reason to have screens while traveling.

PP here. A fair point. We really got the iPads to make travel easier for ourselves but obviously that’s not the best reason. Honestly, I figured the usage was so limited it was ok to be a little selfish.

I get it. The problem is once they have a little taste of it they don’t want to let go. It sucks

[Anonymous]

We are low screen not no screen and I really think a flight is a great time for a movie or television show, and it’s fine to watch it on an iPad. I get motion sickness and all I want to do is just be distracted and I don’t think a few hours in one very specific scenario is going to create a screen addiction. That’s just silly.