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Most tech giants want you to spend more time on the phone, but not for their kids
Smartphone screen time is a concern for millions but the companies offering these apps want their own kids to reduce how much they use.
In our modern era, tech innovators are limiting their children’s screen exposure. Popular tech CEOs like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Sundar Pichai, who created technology that keeps us all connected, promote minimal tech use at home. Surprisingly, a survey by The Information revealed that children of tech giants spend less time on screens compared to other children around the globe.
Some families even hire nannies specifically to restrict their kids’ screen time. In this article, we’ll explore what top tech executives think about screen time for kids and how they apply these ideas in their own families.
In an interview with BBC, Sundar Pichai said, “I think this generation needs to learn to adapt to technology. It’s going to be a big part of their life so I’ve encouraged them to develop boundaries on their own, but you know I’ve approached it as a journey of personal responsibility.”
Mark Zuckerberg shared his thoughts on screen time with Fox News and revealed that he only permits his daughters to use video chat products. Zuckerberg believes that such a platform can be a valuable tool for keeping in touch with family and friends. The Facebook CEO explained, “I let my kids use that to communicate with my parents, so they can stay in touch with their grandparents easily, their aunts who live across the country. I don’t generally want my kids to be sitting in front of a TV or a computer for a long period of time.”
Microsoft founder Bill Gates speaking with Mirror revealed that he didn’t allow his three children to have mobile phones until they were 14 years old. Gates mentioned that they set strict screen time rules to help his kids sleep better. During family meals, phones are kept away from the table to encourage face to face interaction. Despite his children’s complaints about their friends having phones earlier, Gates stuck to his decision and believes that it was best for their family.
According to the former CEO of YouTube, Susan Wojcicki, “It’s always important to have balance. Just like you talk to your kids about what you do when you go out on the street, you need to have a conversation with them about safety on the internet. I have times when I take away all my kids’ phones, especially if we’re on a family vacation, because I want people to interact with each other.”
Wojcicki, when speaking to The Guardian, mentioned that she prefers not to strictly control her children’s screen time. Instead, she lets them manage their own time. She compares it to her own childhood experience, where she learned that while watching TV can be fun, it should be balanced with other activities like sports, school, homework and reading.
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and his wife, tennis champion Serena Williams, prevent their daughter from becoming dependent on technology. He believes it’s important for her to experience boredom and learn to manage screen time limits. Ohanian thinks that setting boundaries helps promote healthier psychological and social development in children.