https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:27:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686941 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:19:03 +0000 Modern Daisy 686941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worry about this too as a mom-to-be! My 4 yo nephew has an angry birds addiction and has been found multiple times hiding in someone elses home with their (stolen) iphone playing angry birds. He even knows how to download it if the person doesn't have it already! And my niece is constantly in front of the TV, if not then she's using her Dad's iphone. Her Mom is always on her phone too, none of them seem to care at all. I'm just like - isn't anyone trying to limit screentime here?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686924 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:13:36 +0000 Maysprout 686924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I def agree with no tech in the bedroom. A lot of our friends are impressed that our almost 2 year old doesn't play with the computer/tablet except for potty videos. I see how addicting it can be and how it leads to tantrums so I'd rather avoid making it a habit to be broken. At the same time I don't want her to not know how to use technology so it'll be a tricky balance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686862 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:55:01 +0000 Bookish 686862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebittyhouse: I think to a point, yeah, being on hellobee and FB and other sites has made me much more aware of how I do and do not want to expose my kids to tech. Seeing my 15 year old niece post raunchy photos and comments about drugs and alcohol where everyone can see really made me realize how dangerous and stupid social media can be for a person. </p> <p>I definitely wish there was a class to take :/ I do want to ride the middle between total no-tech ever and all-tech all the time... I agree with @blackbird: that I want my kid to use her imagination! I really am shocked at how many kids I see with handheld electronics and restaurants and out in public. Sure, it keeps them quiet, but is that what we want? A bunch of silent, tech-absorbed kiddos? </p> <p>Meh, the whole thing is confusing to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686822 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:47:37 +0000 Alivoo01 686822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have discussed this and have seen both ends of the spectrum. We have friends that HAVE to turn on the portable DVD player once their child is in the car seat, even if it's a short drive and then you have hubby's nephew who can take a road trip for 4+ hours without any electronics! We're hoping technology isn't our crutch in keeping our sanity once DS is here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686797 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:42:06 +0000 mediagirl 686797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebittyhouse: I don't think so. I have thought about it since I was younger. I didn't have anything in my room other than a boombox (I'm so old...) That may also play a role - I'm old and cranky about things. :)</p> <p>My 11 year old nephew came to viist this weekend and he didn't use an ipod/ipad/tablet or computer the whole time he was there other than when we were playing games on the family tablet. I was impressed and hope my daughter is like that, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686781 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:39:59 +0000 Mrs. Twine 686781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my circle (which is small) I am (affectionately?) known as the "TV Nazi." Not quite as cool as the soup Nazi, but, I'll take what I can get. I was very strict with my youngest, and have eased up somewhat, but not a ton. She had no screen time of any sort, including being exposed to what adults around her may have been watching, until age 4. Lowly, at age 1, has had no screen time at all yet. I read the studies and consider myself warned of potential consequences. However... in my personal life I do not know that I have seen the research borne out. My eldest is a child with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, so there you go. I still think we made a good choice on restricting/limiting screen time, but I don't know that it does all the damage that is suggested by the research. There are lots of kids who have a MUCH higher media diet and are less aggressive/hyper/what-have-you than my little teetotaler. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686767 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:36:49 +0000 littlebittyhouse 686767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: "No TV's, computers, phones or tablets in the bedroom. Ever. " I totally agree!</p> <p>@prettylizy: I wish a class like that was available to EVERYONE not just the people who worry about it!</p> <p>I think I worry more about the ramifications of 'what everyone else gets to do' because I know that there are things that my LO won't have unrestricted access to.</p> <p>@illumina: @Bookworm: @blackbird: @mediagirl: Do you think we are more aware of this because we are involved in social media? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686723 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:27:18 +0000 illumina 686723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@prettylizy: I think that one might be a bit easier to address... I get the impression teens only post photos of themselves like that for attention or because they need reassurance about their appearance. So I think to some degree you can reduce the need for them resorting to this by encouraging/affirming self-confidence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686649 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:08:53 +0000 prettylizy 686649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: not to mention how to effectively parent a facebook user......I have no idea how, but I don't want her posting duckface pictures with her but sticking out all over the internet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686618 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:59:34 +0000 illumina 686618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@prettylizy: I agree! Since the digital age is relatively new, we don't yet know how constant ipad/console etc. use in early childhood affects them later in adult life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686603 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:56:09 +0000 mediagirl 686603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worry about it. We both love TV and our phones. We have turned off the TV since M came around, though. We turn it on when she isn't in the room or when she is sleeping. I worry about gadgets when she gets older and that she will bury herself in them and not want to talk to us. We already have plans to have a "household" computer in a common area.</p> <p>No TV's, computers, phones or tablets in the bedroom. Ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686590 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:52:40 +0000 prettylizy 686590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worry so much about this. Our DD is 1 and still hasn't watched any TV so to speak. She doesn't know how to use my ipad and just likes to watch videos of herself on my phone. I wish there were some sort of crash course in how to effectively parent in the social media techno age!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686562 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:46:37 +0000 blackbird 686562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're both aware of how much technology is out there....as engineers, we love technology! We embrace it! But we don't want our kids growing up with an excessive amount of screen time. I know it will be a part of their lives and I won't wholly prevent it, but there's a time and a place and screen time is not a substitute for imagination and does not develop cognitive skills the way hands on learning does. We've already had a few discussions on how we feel about it. No electronics at the dinner table, no ipads at a young age (we don't even own one), etc. They don't need constant stimulation. I want them to use their imaginations and learn to sit quietly at a restaurant and color, not bust out the Nintendo. I'm always shocked how many electronics are busted out in nice restaurants. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686421 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:10:22 +0000 Bookish 686421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've thought about this a lot, especially since DH and I love our tech. LO isn't here yet, but we plan to *try* to avoid technology at a young age. For one thing, I don't want my baby playing with my phone that would cost 200$ to replace lol! But yeah, I agree that kids seem to be exposed to a lot of tech at a very young age, and I'm hoping to avoid that. </p> <p>We currently eat dinner in front of the tv, and have discussed stopping that to move to the dining room table; we don't have iPads so that isn't an issue, and I've been trying to train myself to not just pull out my phone when I'm bored, so LO doesn't pick up on it. But...LO isn't here yet, and best laid plans.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686377 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:58:13 +0000 illumina 686377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebittyhouse: It seems like the technology is being used as a distraction tactic, if the child is playing up, which doesn't make sense to me... it's like 'you're being annoying, now here's a reward, now be quiet!' </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686363 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:54:51 +0000 littlebittyhouse 686363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: yes! this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686295 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:33:44 +0000 illumina 686295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebittyhouse: You're not alone! It shocks me how much time friends' kids spend on games consoles, their parents iphones and how the TV always seems to be on in the background. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parenting-and-media-control#post-686285 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:31:31 +0000 littlebittyhouse 686285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you feel as if you are more or less in tune with how technology can/will impact your family?</p> <p>Are you worried about how other parents seem to fluff off iPad, TV and internet use?</p> <p>I feel as if DH and I have a pretty good handle on technology and often talk about how technology will play a role in our lives going forward in relation to our child(rens) screen time, cell phones and social media. We err on the side of less is more when it comes to screens and are very aware that we need to set the example (i.e. put our phones/iPad away, turn off the TV) We feel as if most friends of ours are waaaaaay more lax than we are and are absolutely ok with young kids on the internet, using the iPad as a toy, watching hours of TV. Honestly, sometimes we fee l alone in this battle. </p>