Social psychologists urge ending cellphone childhoods NOW

[thewayne]

This is a really ugly article, ugly in a way that it paints our culture and what's to become of it if we don't make changes.

Four suggestions are made, and I can agree with them all:
No smartphones before high school
No social media before 16
No phones in school (also to stop helicopter parents)
More independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world

I read a truly horrible article last week that one year olds today are exposed to one thousand fewer spoken words at home today because of other people being addicted to their tablets! That's just... SMH, words fail me.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/the-terrible-costs-of-a-phone-based-childhood/ar-BB1jONI0

https://mobile.slashdot.org/story/24/03/16/2238228/social-psychologist-urges-end-the-phone-based-childhood-now

Comments

[disneydream06]

Paula Poundstone would be really happy to hear this.
She is a firm believer of no electronics for kids.
I would agree. When I ever I see my younger brother's kids, which isn't very often, they are glued to phones or tablets. :o
So are most of my coworkers. :o
Hugs, Jon

[thewayne]

I use my electronics quite a lot: mainly for reading books, getting the news, and playing Sudoku with my wife when we're at restaurants.  We also talk.  That's it.  When I drive alone, or we're cruising on a trip, we're listening to music or podcasts.  DW is my main social media tool.  I simply don't engage with these things the way that most people do: it's a tool and it does what I want, not me doing what they want.

[disneydream06]

I use my computer a lot more then any other electronics.
My phone usually sits in my backpack turned off unless I plan to use it.
I did keep it with me and turned on when dad went into the nursing home, but now that he's gone, it's back to not needing it on most of the time.
Of course I still have a house phone, but at some point and time I will get rid of that, and then I suppose I will have to keep my cell phone available more often.
I haven't used my nook in awhile, simply because I don't have anything new on it to read. lol...

[thewayne]

I've been home sick for a week+, been burning through a new (to me) series of books and quite enjoying it.  Finishing a seven book fantasy series.  Absolutely love my iPad!

[disneydream06]

WOWZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sadly, I haven't picked up my book once this week. :(