Raising Low-Tech Kids

My boys are eight and four years old, are not completely engrossed in technology, and I will continue to do everything in my power to keep it that way.

My desire to not create digital monsters and keep them offline for as much and as long as possible is in no way my attempt to delay the inevitable. It is just my way for their life experiences to matter to them and not be easily influenced by what they see online. I find that in this instant gratification filter-filled world that we live in, many are looking for others to validate their decisions and by extension their worth. And frankly, I do no need for my kids to feel like they need a source outside of themselves to make them feel accomplished or worthy. I do not need them to question decisions they make based on what others are doing whether real or perceived to be.

My kids are young, and feel like now is the time to set a healthy tech-life balance for them. Drawing clear lines with them explaining the difference between them consuming content, like playing video games, and the time spent learning or creating content.

I have explained to my kids that they are free to be creative online using reading and coding apps and programs. To me, it is the same as not limiting their desire to draw or create an imaginative world where pterosaurs ruled the world.  

But at the same time, I will not allow for them to spend endless hours on a device simply because they have nothing else to do or want to spend hours no end playing video games.  

My purpose for scaling back the tech is to show my boys the importance of creativity and the impact their own life experiences will have on them their entire lives.

Because raising happy, open-minded kids that can navigate the world device-free    is the primary objective.