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Carmen Osorio, expert in technology addiction: ‘It’s not a good idea to give children a smartphone; in any case, you let them borrow yours’ (english.elpais.com)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I'm inclined to agree. I was definitely an internet addict when I was a teenager, but now as a 40 year old, I'm persistently depressed by how many people my age simply cannot use more than the absolute basics of their phone and computer. Like sure, they can send a text and write in a Word document, but become completely paralysed by anything more complicated than that because they're so terrified they'll break something if they click on the wrong button. Those of us that are used to technology have no fear of pressing buttons to find out what they do.

I feel like there ought to be a sensible middle ground somewhere, where kids can be taught how to use the tools they'll be relying on as adults, without exposing them to all the downsides of the internet and exploitative apps.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

I gave my kids phones that have no data plan and are old enough that a lot of stuff just doesn’t work.

They can text and call and use a web browser, but no snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram or Tiktok. Seems to work well.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, same for me. Now that I'm in the position of raising a kid, I'm not sure how to tackle this.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Give them a raspberry pi with a tiny screen and have them install Linux :)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Yeah, I'm thinking something along these lines. Offline first.