4 ms·

The way we treat screentime these days feels like a strange continuation of the way it was treated for those of us who were kids in the early 2000s even though

The way we treat screentime these days feels like a strange continuation of the way it was treated for those of us who were kids in the early 2000s even though the world has changed significantly since then. I remember that back then schools and TV shows were all pushing this idea that all screen time was harmful for kids and to not let them have more than an hour or two a day. It may have made some more sense than nowadays since CRTs were more common back then and seemed to strain the eyes more, but the lack of differentiation between actually productive screen time and plain old replaceable entertainment caused a ton of friction in my family as I was growing up. In comparison, with my currently 5 year old niece and 1 year old nephew (more visible in the niece of course), having access to productive screen time has been pretty impressive for her development, with her having learned the alphabet, developed a decent vocabulary, learned addition enough to even reason about numbers for which she hadn't memorized the answer, and even picking up on some multiplication, all before starting school.

j45 3y ago
With screen time there’s a big difference between consuming vs creating.
IG_Semmelweiss 3y ago
Same here. Screen time really should mean un-directed TV time. Directed TV/PC time can turbocharge learning: khan academy, scratch, or math maze (put together by another HNer, thx!) https://gogamewise.com/games/math-maze-2/ https://gogamewise.com/games/math-maze-2/
memefrog 3y ago
Almost every child that uses a screen is just using it to consume. Yes in theory it is simplistic to say "screen time bad", not everything needs to be a super detailed, super nuanced discussion all the time.
- dotnet00 3y ago
  I think when it comes to things about raising kids, a nuanced discussion is necessary, otherwise we end up with parents who blindly enforce the simplistic idea, thus actually being detrimental to their kids.
  - zanellato19 3y ago
    Unless you can present something to actually increase nuance, this is just diluting the conversation. Screen time for under 2 years Olds is bad and comments saying otherwise with anecdotal evidence shouldn't change anyone's mind.
    - ghusto 3y ago
      I strongly suspect those comments come from two groups: Parents who have done this and are now trying to justify it for their conscience, and people who are on their phones all day themselves and can't bear being in "the bad group". Assuming responsibility and having boundaries is hard, but admitting you have problems in those areas will set you free.
      - dotnet00 3y ago
        It's funny how you guys are going around accusing everyone who disagrees with the study of being too addicted, while not actually responding to any of the numerous shortcomings of the study people have pointed out here. Maybe you're the ones too set in your opinion to consider anyone else's?
        ghusto 3y ago
        Fair point, but it's because I'm so tired of these arguments. They all sound like rationalisation of behaviour that the person making the argument exhibits. I don't think anyone making these arguments _doesn't_ exhibit the behaviour they're defending. Think about how emotionally invested someone has to be to say "No this study on _one year old babies_ being negatively effected is nonsense, because it doesn't negatively effect 12 year olds" — of course I'm heavily paraphrasing for effect, but just read some of the comments above.

j45 3y ago

With screen time there’s a big difference between consuming vs creating.

IG_Semmelweiss 3y ago

Same here. Screen time really should mean un-directed TV time. Directed TV/PC time can turbocharge learning: khan academy, scratch, or math maze (put together by another HNer, thx!) https://gogamewise.com/games/math-maze-2/ https://gogamewise.com/games/math-maze-2/

memefrog 3y ago

Almost every child that uses a screen is just using it to consume. Yes in theory it is simplistic to say "screen time bad", not everything needs to be a super detailed, super nuanced discussion all the time.

dotnet00 3y ago
I think when it comes to things about raising kids, a nuanced discussion is necessary, otherwise we end up with parents who blindly enforce the simplistic idea, thus actually being detrimental to their kids.
- zanellato19 3y ago
  Unless you can present something to actually increase nuance, this is just diluting the conversation. Screen time for under 2 years Olds is bad and comments saying otherwise with anecdotal evidence shouldn't change anyone's mind.
  - ghusto 3y ago
    I strongly suspect those comments come from two groups: Parents who have done this and are now trying to justify it for their conscience, and people who are on their phones all day themselves and can't bear being in "the bad group". Assuming responsibility and having boundaries is hard, but admitting you have problems in those areas will set you free.
    - dotnet00 3y ago
      It's funny how you guys are going around accusing everyone who disagrees with the study of being too addicted, while not actually responding to any of the numerous shortcomings of the study people have pointed out here. Maybe you're the ones too set in your opinion to consider anyone else's?
      - ghusto 3y ago
        Fair point, but it's because I'm so tired of these arguments. They all sound like rationalisation of behaviour that the person making the argument exhibits. I don't think anyone making these arguments _doesn't_ exhibit the behaviour they're defending. Think about how emotionally invested someone has to be to say "No this study on _one year old babies_ being negatively effected is nonsense, because it doesn't negatively effect 12 year olds" — of course I'm heavily paraphrasing for effect, but just read some of the comments above.