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We're a very “techy” family. Josh works in IT and web design. IT, website, and social media were some of my primary responsibilities in my former life as a church communications director. We're self-admitted junkies and early adopters around here. We have iPhones and an iPad. We've become Apple fans over the years. {Sorry, Dad.} I had a 2nd generation Kindle shortly after it came out. Before he ened up in IT, Josh was a radio engineer and before that wanted to do sound for film. So, we watch a lot of movies too. There are gadgets and movies everywhere you turn around here.
So, how do we protect our children? How much is too much?
Here are some of the basic things that we do:
- We have lunch and quiet time with a movie most days. Jonathan can chose from our DVDs or something on Netflix. Some of his favorites lately are Bob the Builder, Word World, Martha Speaks, Super Why, Busytown Mysteries, Diego, etc. {By the way, we don't have cable. We have an antenna for local stations and Netflix.} I try to keep these semi-educational.
- We give 15 minute tech tickets for reading books that are at reading level or are a bit of a stretch. We don't usually give tickets for really easy books unless he sits for a long time reading.
- Tech tickets are not given for school reading.
- Tech tickets can be used for video games or computer time.
- Tickets may not be used until after lunch and rest time and school work must be completed for the day.
- We usually place a limit of 4 tickets used per day. Bad attitudes and disobedience can result in loss of tickets and/or postponement of use. I use a timer and Jonathan knows when the time is off that his time is up. If he is polite, I'll usually allow him to finish up the area or level that he is on.
- The computer has filtering software to keep Jonathan from accidentally going somewhere he shouldn't. Most of the websites that he can get to and the installed games are educational. We love Starfall and PBSKids.
- Mommy and Daddy get to limit choices or override requests or place additional restrictions as needed.
We try not to place too many “rules” around technology. Instead, we're focusing on teaching our boys to make good choices. We need to take care of responsibilities before playing. We're trying to teach them to choosing something better and healthy for their brains before they get dessert. We try to explain that even too much of a good thing can be bad if we abuse it. We're hoping that sowing these values and good habits while our boys are young will help them use technology wisely as they grow older and are bombarded by more technology and choices.
For us, it's all about common sense and moderation.
What do you think? How do you handle technology at your house?
