Steve Jobs Limited How Much Technology His Kids Could Access And Why You Should Too
If you are from the Gen-Y era, you must have given thought to how you would like to raise your kids in this day and age. Technology has undergone some great changes since the 90’s, when we were children. One question you must be battling with is whether you will introduce your kids to technological wonders like the iPad and iPod to your children? Steve Jobs had a good reason as to why you shouldn’t. Nick Bilton, a New York Times Reporter said in a Sunday article that he once asked Jobs, “So your kids must love the iPad?”
“They haven’t used it,” Jobs responded. “We limit how much technology our kids use at home.”
In Silicon Valley, a trend of engineers and execs shield their children from technology. Their kids are sent to non-tech schools like the Waldorf School, Los Altos, where computers cannot be found. The schools focus only on hands-on learning. What makes those working in tech keep their kids from it? CEO of 3D Robotics, Chris Anderson, who is a father of five explained in The Times:
[quote_box_center]”My kids accuse me and my wife of being fascists and overly concerned about tech, and they say that none of their friends have the same rules… Â That’s because we have seen the dangers of technology firsthand. I’ve seen it in myself, I don’t want to see that happen to my kids.”[/quote_box_center]
Our current addiction to iPhones and other tech could be an indication that we are setting up our kids for incomplete, handicapped lives that are devoid of creativity, imagination and wonder, by hooking them onto technology during their early stages of life. Our generation was the last to play outside because there were no smart phones or laptops. Our learning was from hands-on interaction, movement and absorbing information through socializing with other humans and reading books. We didn’t have Google search!
We learnt in different ways and this has made us well-rounded individuals. Should we then be worried that we are robbing our kids the ability to play “candy crash” and snap chat all day because we didn’t give them a Smartphone or should we be worried that we may be robbing them of a less dependent and healthier environment if we do give them a Smartphone?
Next time you think about raising your kids, you may want to consider highly not giving them whatever fancy tech available as they grow up. You could play outside with them and take them on nature walks. They will probably totally hate you for it but will thank you later because I bet that’s what most of us feel now that we are older.
[Source:Â www.nextshark.com]
