I thought this was so interesting - a twitter post by an interesting organisation I follow (full post below).
https://twitter.com/FreeRangeKids/status/1775556826869747989
The line that really stood out for me is "No WONDER kids are on phones! That is the ONLY PLACE WE LET THEM PLAY AND WANDER without us."
Admittedly, I am a huge fan of children being allowed more independence. I'm not a fan of children being over scheduled or that as parents we need to do stuff with them all the time. Both of my children are big screen fans, but it's true that we haven't had some of the issues that some of their friends have had re never-ending screen time, tantrums etc. I always put it down to the fact that from day 1 we were very clear - they could have screens pretty much as much as they liked, but NOT instead of things that are normal and healthy and necessary like meal times with family or sporting activities or homework - but I wonder if there's an element of this too?
Certainly, it's a pet peeve of mine that so many children are barely allowed out of their parents' sight until much older than I think is necessary. And our children have definitely had more independence, slightly earlier, than most of their peers as a result.
A rant. Sorry.
But this culture can drive me nuts. It is BLIND to the idea that kids CAN and in recent history HAVE done some things, on their own, no parents involved, and this was GOOD.
So--one "screen-time specialist" just emailed me with this "helpful" tip: Have families come up w/ "non-screen activities."
I asked: "Like what?"
Her reply: "Together, plan a trip to a science museum and look up the exhibits you want to see." Why this is making my heart pound like a near-miss car crash?
1) There is simply no notion of the idea that kids can or should spend any time NOT doing something "educational."
2) Her idea works ONE TIME for ONE AFTERNOON. making it seem as if any "non-screen time" requires D-Day-like planning. And money!
3) The parent now has a NEW DUTY, which is to help organize an outing and then accompany their kid on it (with, I'm guessing, snacks).
4) No mention of, "Heck, kids have entertained themselves forever. Send them outside and they'll come up with something to do. Give them a flip phone or walkie talkie if you're worried."
IN (NOT SO) SHORT: We have "disappeared" a normal childhood, complete with adventures, misadventures, boredom, free play, and poking around. Even "screen-time experts" can't imagine it anymore.
No WONDER kids are on phones! That is the ONLY PLACE WE LET THEM PLAY AND WANDER without us.
NO KIDS WILL GET OFF PHONES IF THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS INTENSIVE, PARENT-LED, ADULT-SUPERVISED ACTIVITIES. And no parent will have the time, ability or desire to make that happen on any sustainable basis.
Let Grow is the only organization I know of that is trying to make it NORMAL to let kids do some things on their own, unsupervised. Until we succeed, kids will be right back on their phones. JOIN US! SUPPORT US! Visit @LetGrowOrg