Anonymous wrote:It's funny, DH credits playing computer games back in high school and video games when he was younger for his success now at 33. He wanted to make his computer faster so he did research, took it apart, tweaked things, etc.

Started his own IT company after getting back from Iraq , sold it, and is now the CTO of a large corporation and makes a decent 6 figure salary for a 45 hr workweek.

Yeah, but does he play outside??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No phone for a 12 year old?

Sorry, but what's your goal here? My son's phone isn't particularly special, but it does an excellent job helping the two of us speak to each other when needed. Helps me feel better about leaving him on an athletic field with iffy weather. Does all sorts of useful communication tricks. Makes my life easier, let alone his.

We just taught restraint regarding texting and games.

On an athletic field in iffy weather! The horror! Yes, that totally justifies an expensive gadget.

God forbid that the poor child be subjected to fourteen drops of rain. Get him the best phone possible. He can keep it in his right hip pocket and the call in an instant when clouds block the sun.

Anonymous wrote:No phone for a 12 year old?

Sorry, but what's your goal here? My son's phone isn't particularly special, but it does an excellent job helping the two of us speak to each other when needed. Helps me feel better about leaving him on an athletic field with iffy weather. Does all sorts of useful communication tricks. Makes my life easier, let alone his.

We just taught restraint regarding texting and games.

On an athletic field in iffy weather! The horror! Yes, that totally justifies an expensive gadget.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No phone for a 12 year old?

No, no iPhone.

ah. he doesn't have an ipad either. itouch, and a laptop though.

Anonymous wrote:No phone for a 12 year old?

No, no iPhone.

No phone for a 12 year old?

Sorry, but what's your goal here? My son's phone isn't particularly special, but it does an excellent job helping the two of us speak to each other when needed. Helps me feel better about leaving him on an athletic field with iffy weather. Does all sorts of useful communication tricks. Makes my life easier, let alone his.

We just taught restraint regarding texting and games.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone else besides our family of this mindset? Our kids are 9 and 12 and they simply do not need these electronic distractions. They play ACTUAL games and ACTUALLY communicate with others. I see no need to hook them on the ADD-friendly tech bandwagon at this age.

Who else?

Yea....and your kids will be at my house and we will not be able to get them to put my son's iPad down. My son had one and, luckily for us, we are diligent parents who make sure that the kid does not become obsessed with it. Interestingly enough, the app he uses most is the Kindle app to read books.

You know, parents like you crack me up. I hear this all the time about movies, the Wii, alcohol, etc. Not all kids run over to their friends houses and run for the stuff they don't have at home. It really isn't that big a deal to them. My kids don't. Their cousins have every game and gadget out there and my kids could care less. They would rather their cousins just step away from the screens and run around with them.

iPads or iPhones aren't bad. Parents that don't pay attention are bad. This can happen whether your kid is on an iPad or playing with fair-trade organic scarves. You just need to be engaged in what they are doing. This doesn't mean you do it with them every second but you are cognizant of the choices they are making and engage with them to make sure its balanced.

For younger kids, turn the device to airplane mode so they are not on the Internet. For older kids, install software where you can turn off the signal (wifi and cell) and monitor usage/restrict downloads. Don't ask your older child to install the monitoring software for you because you don't know how to do it. (If I need to explain why, you need to take a class on technology.)

Limit the number of apps and how long they play. Invest some time in finding the good math and reading apps for younger kids. There are some great math apps for younger kids that introduce algebra concepts. Buy ebooks.

Use the device in fun ways. If they like stories or fantasy play let them do a play with their friends, record the video, and give a copy to the friends. My kids love doing talent shows and making up movies where they write little scripts and then video it. Show them how to use the camera. Do a nature walk, let them take pictures and print them out. Use this as an opportunity to talk with them now about what they should photograph and what they shouldn't.

Card games are about recognizing patterns and possible combinations within a defined set. Just don't let them start betting on the Internet.

Let them FaceTime with grandma. (This may require several trips to show grandma how to do it.)

It's funny, DH credits playing computer games back in high school and video games when he was younger for his success now at 33. He wanted to make his computer faster so he did research, took it apart, tweaked things, etc.

Started his own IT company after getting back from Iraq , sold it, and is now the CTO of a large corporation and makes a decent 6 figure salary for a 45 hr workweek.

There is no defense for playing video games after school.
Or being connected to the i-phone while doing homework.

If its raining outside, why not let them play a video game for 30 minutes after school? Their homework is ridiculously easy. They could be half asleep and still do it.

Two boys, 9 and 6. Live in the heart of NW DC. No cell phones, I-pads, DVD, video games, cable TV. Just one TV in the entire house that gets the free channels only.

Kids play outside almost all the time. Imagine that.

I guess it comes down to how they are used.
There is no defense for playing video games after school.
Or being connected to the i-phone while doing homework.
Some parents will fight the battle. Some just give in.

Anonymous wrote:I find it interesting that many parents can't keep up with technology and don't see the distinctions in how it is used. An iPad/iPhone isn't really just a consumption device in the hands of a different age group. Teens and tweens will see it as more of a connection device -facetime, texting etc. Younger kids will see it as more of a creation device as they play interactive games, take pictures and movies, using the drawing tools. Parents will use it as a consumption device-reading email, news, e-books.

I don't see much purpose in having a "no technology mindset" and being proud of this. Kids need to understand how to use technology safely and effectively to engage in the modern world and be successful in their future careers.

+1

I don't judge parents if they decide that they want to raise kids a certain way (i.e., tech free). But don't justify your parenting choices by making uninformed generalizations about mine. Not all of us are thoughtless barabarians. My DH is in the tech field and we have given careful thought on how we can enhance our lives using some of the gadgets and related apps. As a result, or kids are unfazed by new technology, see it as a useful tool to augment things they need (for example, as an organization tool for an EFD kid) and do not waste a lot time with it otherwise. But to each his/her own.

I find it interesting that many parents can't keep up with technology and don't see the distinctions in how it is used. An iPad/iPhone isn't really just a consumption device in the hands of a different age group. Teens and tweens will see it as more of a connection device -facetime, texting etc. Younger kids will see it as more of a creation device as they play interactive games, take pictures and movies, using the drawing tools. Parents will use it as a consumption device-reading email, news, e-books.

I don't see much purpose in having a "no technology mindset" and being proud of this. Kids need to understand how to use technology safely and effectively to engage in the modern world and be successful in their future careers.

OP, this is 11:09 from the first page.

Confiscating the stupid and much beloved iPhone altogether has presented itself as a REALLY good opportunity for heavy consequences today, FWIW.