As the founder of a non-profit which delivers free, online learning, I’m someone that a lot of folks associate with technology and educationOne of the most common questions I’m asked is how I handle the use of technology in my own home with my kids.
For us, we take the potential harms of social media and mobile devices very seriously. I don’t believe that the companies that created social media intended harm 20 years ago or even today. However, the AI they use to feed us and our children videos, ads and posts have discovered that the things keeping people clicking are often triggering, polarizing and anxiety-inducing.
We don’t take chances. So far, we have kept our kids off social media. Our eldest, who is 15, does have a cellphone, but we primarily view it as a tool for him to stay in touch when he’s out or needs to contact us. He hasn’t asked to use social media, and we plan to keep it that way. The key is moderation. Growing up, my sister was a bookworm, and if allowed, she would read for 16 hours straight. Reading is great, but excessive reading can still crowd out other important activities. Similarly, productive technology use should be balanced to ensure it doesn’t replace outdoor play, socializing and family engagement.