Kids and Technology

Today I am participating in a Blog Carnival that’s being hosted by Char at Video Game Tips – The topic is Kids and Technology.  Well, this is one that I could ramble on and on about – and well, that’s just what I plan to do…

After moving to our new home in July, I purchased an “old fashioned” kind of phone that actually attaches to the wall.  You know, the kind we had before there was cordless?  It still had push buttons, caller I.D. and all the bells and whistles of most other phones these days.  This phone was purchased entirely for security reasons – so that I can make a phone call if needed, when the power goes out. 

I’d not realized just how spoiled technology has made my kids until the day the phone rang – one of my son’s was standing in the kitchen (where this security phone is located) – he raced over to the phone to answer it, but stopped, paused and with a puzzled look, asked “how does it work?”  I told him to just “pick it up!” 

Since that conversation that completely baffled me, I’ve paid much closer attention at just how spoiled technology is making our children and us adults for that matter.  Seriously!

How many of you have children that could name all the Pok’e’mon or Yu Gi Oh characters before they could say the alphabet?  How many of you find yourself purchasing gift cards or giving money for gifts instead of facing that dreadful experience associated with having purchased the WRONG video game?  Been there, done that – it ain’t pretty!  Seriously, what’s the difference between red, blue and emerald?  Anyone? 

Furthermore, what’s with this constantly coming out with a third, fourth of platinum version?  I KNOW they’re going to come out with something bigger and better next year that’s going to make me the worst parent on the planet when I refuse to make THAT purchase!  It’s a title I’ve grown accustomed to over the last few years.  Sorry kiddos, I’m NOT doin’ the PlayStation 3 this year either!

What happened to the good old fashioned Christmas when a child could wake up and have tons of gifts to open rather than one super expensive gift?

Where’s the fun in that?

Personally, I resent technology!  I won’t let my kids have a MySpace – I watch Dateline and KNOW what can happen.  Some freak ever come on to my kids and I’d likely end up in prison – because I would hurt someone!

My kids are being forced to grow up too quickly the way it is.  I want them to enjoy their youth and enjoy being just a kid for a while.   Much like I did.

Some of the lessons I learned before technology spoiled the world I live in -

I learned how to play on monkey bars, swing sets and jungle gyms that were held secure with concrete.  A good attention span keeps you out of the ER.

I learned patience when I waited behind those less patient who’d cut in line to slide down the playground slide on a hot summer day.  My turn was always as cool as a pickle!

I learned playing outside was always the best option because nothing good was on the one channel that played cartoons until later in the evening or early Saturday morning.

I knew when I heard the belt flipping through the loops of my dad’s pants and ended with a quick snap, that I was in big trouble and prayed I’d live to tell about it the next day.  But you know what?  I did live to tell about it and frankly, I like the person I’ve become.  No grudges, no scars!

I watched Road Runner and Wiley E. Coyote jump off many cliffs, but never once did I think I could do it and continue the chase the next day.

As a teenager, I listened to KISS and Motely Crue and still have a very strong faith.  I tried to play them backwards, but normal was much more fun.

My parents never let me date until I was 16 and not a single day before.  I survived!  Really!

Just because Camel Joe was on a pack of cigarettes didn’t make me want to smoke – my friends smoking made me want to smoke.  Camels have fleas, my friends didn’t.

I’d much prefer life in a simpler time!

 – by simpler I mean a time when people know that accidents happen.  People actually learn from their mistakes.  Bad behavior is not rewarded – in any way shape or form – and no judge is going to change that.  Children know that if they do something very wrong, they will be spanked and their parents won’t be threatened with child abuse.  Children respect their elders, not ignore them or abandoned them.  A time when children went to their parents with those uncomfortable questions they needed answered – rather than conducting a simple search on the internet.

When a conversation between a mother and her 12-year-old son consists of that child’s commitment to always pay child support for his children when he grows up, there’s something sorely amiss in society.

I’m not saying technology is solely to blame, but if we were to take away many of the things that add convenience to our daily lives – people would actually have to work together as a family unit – perhaps more of us would realize there’s lots of quality time that can come from omitting those conveniences.

Just the other day, instead of micro-waving the water for tea that my son and I were about to have, we actually boiled the water on the stove.  Guess what we did while waiting on that water?  We talked!  We talked about things that were important to him!  It’s amazing the difference a couple of minutes of actually listening can make in a child’s life!   

I’m one parent that plans on fighting this technology takeover every step of the way.  My kids are not allowed to play video games through the week – they’re only allowed on the internet to email family and close friends or to do homework research. 

What they do once they move out is one thing, but as long as they live under my roof, we will be a family – inspired by June and Ward Cleaver.

And in the famous words of Beaver Cleaver – “You know something, Wally? I’d rather do nothin’ with you than somethin’ with anybody else.”