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How To Balance Life And Technology For Kids?

Posted by Zonk on from the teddy-ruxpin-is-my-friend dept.

brs165 writes "Being a newly minted geek father as of 4 months ago, I've thought about problems I've never had reason to consider before. One issue which I'd like to hear from the ./ crowd is introducing technology to their children. What got me thinking about this was a blog post about 'Nature-Deficit Disorder', and I think it brings up some good points. I grew up playing in the local woods and creek with minimal tech until our first computer when I was 13. I hear stories from coworkers how some of their kids/grandkids hating going outside because it is boring and they'd rather stay indoors. Should I avoid introducing them to technology until absolutely neccessary, or is it a matter of achieving a balance?"

17 of 425 comments (clear)

  1. Simple... by Laivincolmo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just create a simulation of all that icky nature stuff on a computer and plug them in matrix style for 18 years. Then reveal to them their whole life has been a sham up until that point.. :)

    1. Re:Simple... by starrsoft · · Score: 3, Funny

      Even better: Make sure they never go to dotslash. You know they'll get addicted then... :-)

      --
      Read my blog: HansMast.com
    2. Re:Simple... by hoggoth · · Score: 2, Funny

      > plug your kids into a Matrix-like simulation and give them the perfect childhood

      And did you stop and think that maybe infants need darkness? That maybe darkness is part of their natural development.

      --
      - For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat /dev/random (may take some time)
  2. social evolution by handy_vandal · · Score: 5, Funny

    I grew up playing in the local woods and creek with minimal tech until our first computer when I was 13. I hear stories from coworkers how some of their kids/grandkids hating going outside because it is boring and they'd rather stay indoors.

    Kids raised indoors on computers will adapt better than their parents to a career in cubicle indenture.

    -kgj

    --
    -kgj
    1. Re:social evolution by Seumas · · Score: 5, Funny

      What I don't get is what reason is there to "balance"? Chances are a kid is going to grow up in the city. Live in the city. Shop in the city. Work in the city. Commute in the city. When exactly is he going to fucking see wilderness, outside of half-assed public parks and the one trip every couple years up to some well-kept government camping ground (which is about as much "outdoors" as a New York city roof garden).

      Besides, everyone knows that nature sucks. That's why we pave shit.

  3. Re:First Post? by geekboybt · · Score: 2, Funny

    An example would be like Astrology

    You see son, since your birthday is in early March, you're a Pisces. Today is a 1 star day for you, meaning you should stay inside and play xBox, rather than flirt with the girl next door...

  4. OMG that means ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    you've had sex!!!

    way to go :O

    1. Re:OMG that means ... by Seumas · · Score: 4, Funny

      So you must be his wife?

    2. Re:OMG that means ... by Keruo · · Score: 4, Funny

      Oh come on.. give the man some credit..

      He's geek, so naturally he cloned himself instead adopting.

      --
      There are no atheists when recovering from tape backup.
  5. Hey, it didn't harm me by mpontes · · Score: 2, Funny
    I was introduced to technology and computers at the age of 5 and it didn't hurt me...

    Wait, what's this "real life" you speak of?

    --
    Bored? Browse Slashdot with a +6 modifier for Troll comme
  6. Re:The dot slash crowd? by Winckle · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nah he's right we've all been replaced by very small shell scripts!

  7. Re:Nature/Tech by SimonShine · · Score: 3, Funny
    It depends on what you want your kid to be when he/she grows up.


    Yeah, you have to keep the skill cap in mind. Multi-classing sucks because then your kid only advances levels half as fast.

    --
    Take off every 'ZIG' !!
  8. Huh by Elshar · · Score: 5, Funny

    Am I the only one that misread the title as "how to Load balance life, technology, and kids"?

  9. Re:Nature/Tech by aklix · · Score: 5, Funny

    You bring up a few good points. Infact 9 months prior to delivery I am going to order a weight set from 1 gram to 500 kg, and my child WILL be trained to lift a car with his/her mind.

  10. Re:Reality beats simulation by Reaperducer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sword fighting with the dogs and letting the well run dry while making mud pies for the dogs to eat.

    Your dogs swordfight and make mud pies? That's cool. I guess that's what mine would do if he had thumbs.

    --
    -- I'm old enough to have lived through six different meanings of the word "hacker."
  11. Re:SimPark + the real thing by Doctor+Memory · · Score: 4, Funny

    because of games (both PC and consoles) I've managed to a great amount of English

    Sure you have, dude...sure you have.

    --
    Just junk food for thought...
  12. Damn... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Where's the "-1, Insane" option when you need it?