Hellobee Boards

@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.

@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!'

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.

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.

No TV's, computers, phones or tablets in the bedroom. Ever.

@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!

@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.

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!

@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.

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?

Meh, the whole thing is confusing to me!

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??