Hi, I dont plan to have a child for at least a few years, but sometimes I think about how I would raise them. I think about how parents today let their kids use the internet pretty much unmonitored, and let them watch and bring them to movies that are by most accounts, just flashing colors. Theres a few good ones Ive heard about such as Bluey, or movies like Luca, but I really dont think I’d want my kid to be watching Cocomelon, Pinkfong (baby shark), or any movie put out by Illumination. I especially dont want to allow them to use any kid of social media during their developmental years. However, I know for a lot of kids this is the norm, and I really dont want my kid to get bullied or to hate me for not letting them have what their friends have. What do current parents about the environment their kids are growing up in, and what would be good things to consider as I start to get closer to the age where I feel comfortable taking care of a little fella?
My oldest is 10 and we’re just now starting to hear from him about the things his peers have/see/do. Up till now it’s been a non-issue. Also I don’t think most parents let their kids have free rein of the internet, especially not very little kids. Sure there are some, but I don’t think it’s the majority. A lot of parents now are millennials and we saw how fucked up Facebook made some of us and we hear all the time about how messed up teens are from social media so we’re pretty wary about what the internet is going to do to our kids.
Hi, thanks for the reply!! I base my experience off of my own and what I see in public so I may have bias. When I notice children in public theyre on an iPad watching whatever slop YouTube kids has to offer. I usually see one every time I go to eat out with my SO and I just feel bad for the kid because instead of being involved in a family dinner, theyre being desocialized and taught to not speak and share during family time. I’m glad to hear that there is a large group of people that aren’t like that, its reassuring.
You’re not wrong. I actually made a comment a long time ago about this kind of thing… can I link it? It’s relevant!
https://lemmy.world/comment/8349243
I don’t know the best way to paste comments but hopefully that works.
I feel it’s not fair to not give children an opportunity to express themselves with and to the adults. I know its a cultural thing to be “seen and not heard” but honestly I feel like I’d prefer my kid to be loud and obnoxious at a restaurant over stuck on an iPad. I want them to be able to see that being loud and obnoxious isn’t a proper social norm and teach them how to be polite. I know thats easier said than done but I want kids to be imaginative again, and have more purpose than to watch “Baby shark teaches alphabet with zoo animals LIVE🔴” where the whole stream is basically AI generated. I know I’m probably preaching to the choir, but thats just what’s on my mind lol
Absolutely! It’s a little tough when the “being loud and obnoxious” takes the form of whining, though… I have a hard time with that. Because I remember what it’s like to be a kid and be bored in a world tailored by and for grown-ups. But I’m also willing to adjust my behavior and expectations, like taking kids to kid-friendly restaurants that provide crayons or whatnot. Some parents do seem to be selfish and expect kids to just deal with it if they take them somewhere less suitable.