Screen Time...

[Calliope84]

I was sure I wasn't going to let DD use computers much, play video games, or watch a lot of TV until she was older. I'm not ready now, obviously, since she is only going on 5 months, but I am wondering when is a good time. 

DH and I both love video games and DH is studying to become a computer programmer. He is self-taught to a certain level and I also taught myself a lot about web design. He started when he was around 8-10 years old and I started around 14. It would have been cool if I could have started earlier, but I don't think we even got internet until I was 10. I like some of our RPG games because of the strategy involved (too adult, though) and we both LOVE watching documentaries on Netflix. The future is obviously in computers and so I think they are really important. But I don't want to let DD rely too much on technology to do things for her. We also love books in this house and spend a good portion of our time reading. 

We like the idea of a Classical education, but the book I've read - A Well-Trained Mind - stresses reading over anything else. DH didn't discover a passion for programming by reading about it and I certainly didn't learn about coding websites from a book, either. But both of these things require critical thinking skills and work and are not "passive learning" in any way...

What do you think? When did you / will you let your children start using these things?

(Honestly, I don't know how we will be able to keep DD away from it when DH and I both work with computers a lot!)

[LianneM]

Well, that's the thing.  My husband is a computer engineer and I also do web design and work from home on the computer, so we model frequent computer use for our kids.  I let mine use a computer from about 2yo and my son who is now 6 uses it several times per week.  He also plays wii a few times per week, and we do allow some tv/movies (no cable, but we have netflix and dvds) but not daily. 

So, for us it's about moderation, like everything else.  We do a lot of non-screen activities, but we do things together and individually that involve screens too. 

FTR we aren't classical, but are more unschooly-eclectic right now.

[Savoir Faire]

We used to let the kids watch TV...and then we took it away.

Some kids are okay with TV...but many aren't. It is SO EASY to just let it become "one more show." My daughter turned into a little monster when we'd turn it off. It was just so easy to use it as a crutch in parenting.

I am SO GLAD we did this! Everyone thought we were crazy. Now? My kids PLAY PLAY PLAY. They READ (or look at books) when bored. They are allowed 1 video per day and they have to alternate every day who gets to pick. Act up and you don't get the video.

My kids are also DEFINITELY not allowed to "surf" the 'net. No webkinz or social sites or whatever forums people dream up for kids. They can look at Starfall.com. Sometimes I'll let them watch a video on YouTube (think Sound of Music flashmob)...but that's it.

My husband and I also love computers...but, in my opinion, they are not good for developing minds. Children have to learn to be creative... they need time to do so many things, and in my opinion, you just don't get that by looking at a screen.

[dovey]

We do 20 minutes of screen time per child per day.  It can be playing a game on the computer, watching something with their dad on YouTube, doing computer art, whatever they choose.  Screen time is not supposed to be available until the toys are cleaned up, but sometimes that rule goes by the wayside.  I'm pretty strict about the 20 minute limit though.  If they want, they can save up their 20 minutes for a week and watch a movie with their grandparents or at home.  My kids are fine with it.  They spend most of their time reading, playing outside, doing art, doing homeschool projects, etc. 

I'm pretty sure that if I did not have this limit, there would be a lot of computer use in our home.  I just don't think it's a good idea for young children.  I also think that kids can understand why THEY can't use the computer all the time (since they are developing mentally so quickly), but grownups can use the computer, like my partner does for work.