If you do one thing today, watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have worked in tech for a decade, and get made fun of all the time on DCUM for being a very low-screen household, for not having any social media accounts, etc. My kids didn't watch tv until age 6, or play on phones or iPads. It's only because of the pandemic that they get so much screen time now. Since before they had screens they've been hearing us talk about AI, dopamine hits, marketing, pupil reactions, etc.
They understand why we don't do notifications on social media.

Nothing in this documentary is really new info - just the examples are new. Everyone in tech has known this stuff for years.

Absolutely. Does anyone remember that piece on Silicon Valley parents? Overwhelmingly, these tech innovators chose tech free screen free schools for their own children. That alone should give us parents pause, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have worked in tech for a decade, and get made fun of all the time on DCUM for being a very low-screen household, for not having any social media accounts, etc. My kids didn't watch tv until age 6, or play on phones or iPads. It's only because of the pandemic that they get so much screen time now. Since before they had screens they've been hearing us talk about AI, dopamine hits, marketing, pupil reactions, etc.
They understand why we don't do notifications on social media.

Nothing in this documentary is really new info - just the examples are new. Everyone in tech has known this stuff for years.

Absolutely. Does anyone remember that piece on Silicon Valley parents? Overwhelmingly, these tech innovators chose tech free screen free schools for their own children. That alone should give us parents pause, IMO.

Exactly, and the people who say "but we live in a technological world - kids need to learn how to use these things" really underestimate how user friendly tech is. Even setting things up is getting easier and easier. Yes, at some point my kids will get cell phones and will probably want whatever comes after Tik Tok. And despite not having had cell phones since age 7 or whenever other people are flinging iPads at their kids, I have full confidence my kids will catch up very quickly.

[Anonymous]

My 12yo daughter watched it and found it very interesting. Declared she had no interest in going anywhere close to social media. Let’s see how long this lasts.

[Anonymous]

I’m watching it and relaying info to my teens, but no way would they sit through watching it themselves. It’s really dry and boring to watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 12yo daughter watched it and found it very interesting. Declared she had no interest in going anywhere close to social media. Let’s see how long this lasts.

My 13 year old is vehemently against social media, even though I tell her she might like twitter for following comedians and journalists she likes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m watching it and relaying info to my teens, but no way would they sit through watching it themselves. It’s really dry and boring to watch.

It totally depends on the kid. I am the PP with the 12yo daughter who watched it. There is no way I could have sat through the documentary myself. But my kid is a completely different story...

[Anonymous]

I watched it with my 10y old - it was a great way to reinforce to her that it is not just I who have concerns... that I am not just "being a mom." (Said with derision of course).

[Anonymous]

I watched this last night and it scared the crap out of me. I think I already knew most of this stuff to some extent.

[Anonymous]

Yes it was sooo good and I made my teen and tween watch it. Interesting that none of the, will let their kids use any social media

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can young teens watch it?

My teens watched it. I have boys. Both of my kids don't have social media. Its actually not banned in our house. Mynoldest said it causes too much drama and doesn't want people to know what he's doing. My youngest (11) has never asked.

After my kids watched it my oldest was like "yup, not interested for sure now".

Despite not having social media my kids have very active social lives. Sometimes too active. I spend last night making my older son and his two friends vacuum the chips off the basement carpet and basically made them disinfect the basement. They are all down there so much I feel fully comfortable making boys that aren't mine do chores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 12yo daughter watched it and found it very interesting. Declared she had no interest in going anywhere close to social media. Let’s see how long this lasts.

My 13 year old is vehemently against social media, even though I tell her she might like twitter for following comedians and journalists she likes.

Stop telling her. You told her once. That's enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I watched this last night and it scared the crap out of me. I think I already knew most of this stuff to some extent.

I watched when it first came out and had the same reaction as you. This isn't just about damage to teens - social media will destroy society as we know if they don't get it under control. There were lots of other scary things in there beyond damage to young brains.

[Anonymous]

yes. This should be mandatory to be shown in schools starting in upper elementary.

Every American should watch this.

[Anonymous]

I did watch it and so did my 14 year old. She said "Now I never want a phone".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did watch it and so did my 14 year old. She said "Now I never want a phone".

PP here, she is plenty connected via computer and uses Discord but no snapchat, instagram, etc. But the doc basically confirmed for her that she did not want to go into that direction.