Raising Kids with Technology

This won't be a long post, but it's a topic that is certain worthy of more thought.

Al Mohler posted a blog about the rise of technology use (and Christmas gifts) for toddlers and small children. He raises some good questions about whether or not this is a good thing for kids, and the responsibility of parents to guard their kids from excessive desires and things they don't really need:

Children should be respected as children and not reduced to younger consumers. Parents must protect their children from growing up too fast -- such as the "Kids Getting Older Younger" syndrome.

Keep the family computer in the kitchen or the family room where use can be monitored and limited. Don't let your kids -- all the way from toddlers to teenagers -- spend too much time in front of a screen.

Parents must learn to say no, and to make it stick. There is something downright creepy about the thought of a toddler or preschooler who feels more at home in front of the computer screen than on the playground.

It's a challenge, to be sure. Jen and I have already been talking about issues like television and how convenient it can be to have kids just watch a video so you get a break. There are some benefits to technology, to be sure, and I use a computer everyday...so I'm not a Luddite or anything like that. At the same time... I think it's important to be aware of the effect that technology and consumer-driven "need" has on our kids.