#40 Suffer the Little Children

Betsy, Greg, Heather, and Stephen talk about the challenges and joys of parenting in the digital age and what insights that gives us into technology use in the Church.

Musical Interlude Credit: “Technology” by lo-fi is sci-fi (http://lofiisscifi.com)

Season 2 Theme: “Revolution Now (Instrumental)” by Josh Woodward (http://www.joshwoodward.com/)

Guest Footnotes: Find Stephen on Twitter & Instagram: @mchalesd; Find Heather’s blog at https://starinhereye.wordpress.com/

We definitely have changed our ideas about parenting. We scoffed at DVDs on car rides, but when she started getting sick it was/is a life saver.

We do try to limit her TV consumption especially after reading the Jim Trelease Read Aloud Handbook and I think that shows with her verbal and reasoning skills. But as it was stated in the pod cast there are limits and times when you need to get other things done. TV is a babysitter. When dinner needs to be made, bills need to paid, etc. it is a go to when you are flying solo.

I feel bad looking at my phone and using it when I’m telling her she can’t use the iPad, but I do it.

I have always thought it was creepy that she could see her photo instantly and watch videos of herself immediately after. I have often thought about the self-involved culture we live in and if we are creating ego driven children in mass through this technology. I also worry about privacy, not now, but in the future. What if she has an abusive boyfriend in the future or needs to be off the grid, will that even be possible 18 years from now? Maybe it won’t matter, but…

With regard to marketing I think on demand is better than regular TV because she isn’t exposed to as many commercials. YouTube videos (especially) at grandma and grandpa’s are an exception to this. However, they are right Sesame Street and Disney (Mikey and Minnie) are driving forces in the market.

Overall, I think raising a child I this tech-driven world is a balancing act. Love, limits, rules, variety, and parental attention I hope are the formula for raising a great kid.

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