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Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

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31–40 of 405 posts

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#31
Screen Time (iOS), and teach them to think for themselves. It really depends on what kind of personality your kid(s) have too. Our son is a rule-follower, so it's generally not an issue once he gets past the initial annoyance of not being allowed to do/have something.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#32
- Understands responsible use. - Writes a log of when they use "screen time", including what they plan on doing (purpose + which sites/apps) and for how long. (with a max time limit per day) - They only can use it in our common areas when we are around, with no expectation of privacy. - Sets a timer and can self stop

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#33
I was an outcast as a kid, and this was years before social media. I think I turned out alright regardless. Your social status as a pre-adult doesn't really matter at all once you join the real world.

That and I think kids not having any social media will become more and more common, so it's not going to be that big a deal.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#34
post #33

I was an outcast as a kid, and this was years before social media. I think I turned out alright regardless. Your social status as a pre-adult doesn't really matter at all once you join the real world. That and I think kids not having any social media will become more and more common, so it's not going to be that big a deal.

but your competency and how you communicate does.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#35
post #34
post #33

I was an outcast as a kid, and this was years before social media. I think I turned out alright regardless. Your social status as a pre-adult doesn't really matter at all once you join the real world. That and I think kids not having any social media will become more and more common, so it's not going to be that big a deal.

but your competency and how you communicate does.

Are you implying that children need social media to develop competency and communication skills?

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#36
Lots of practical but low impact suggestions in this thread.

I think the only real answers involve large scale decoupling from the rapidly changing social norms. Can you cobble together a social group that will go Luddite with you? If not, can you join one?

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#37
At my kids' school (UK, ages 5-11), many parents have signed an online pact to agree not to give smartphones to their children:

https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/

The website lists the number of pacts, broken down by school and year group.

My kid is in year 1 (age 5) and the website received pacts on behalf of 42 out of approx 60 children in this year group.

Hopefully with a little more publicity, the remainder will agree to sign the pact too.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#38
post #33

I was an outcast as a kid, and this was years before social media. I think I turned out alright regardless. Your social status as a pre-adult doesn't really matter at all once you join the real world. That and I think kids not having any social media will become more and more common, so it's not going to be that big a deal.

But if you blame your parents' or guardians' overly restrictive dogma for your outcast status then it will likely turn into lifelong resentment. Would you want your kid to resent you?

The better alternative is to explore the net together with your children and show them that there is a world beyond typical social media which is far more interesting and rewarding to explore. Encourage them to foster trust and strong relationships with people from around the world.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#39
post #33

I was an outcast as a kid, and this was years before social media. I think I turned out alright regardless. Your social status as a pre-adult doesn't really matter at all once you join the real world. That and I think kids not having any social media will become more and more common, so it's not going to be that big a deal.

>Your social status as a pre-adult doesn't really matter at all once you join the real world.

Trauma stays.

Re: Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?

#40
post #29

Four thoughts: 1. I've developed a analog->digital path for my kids. Before they can get a music player, they get a CD player. Before they get video games, they get board games. And then, for video games, before they get Super Mario Odyssey they get the original Super Mario Bros. Each of these "first they get" is a long period. Years long. Give them something that has limitations so they can truly explore it. Find th…

"analog->digital path" thank you!
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