How To Balance Life And Technology For Kids?

brs165 writes "Being a newly minted geek father as of 4 months ago, I've thought about problems I've never had reason to consider before. One issue which I'd like to hear from the ./ crowd is introducing technology to their children. What got me thinking about this was a blog post about 'Nature-Deficit Disorder', and I think it brings up some good points. I grew up playing in the local woods and creek with minimal tech until our first computer when I was 13. I hear stories from coworkers how some of their kids/grandkids hating going outside because it is boring and they'd rather stay indoors. Should I avoid introducing them to technology until absolutely neccessary, or is it a matter of achieving a balance?"

balance but importantly "who they are"

[somewhere in AU]

I have 5 kids 15..8 and they all have different interests and we live on 9 acres and I run 80+hr week software business www.findmap.com.au

We have Windows,OSX and Linux and they all have easy access to them when and if they want. I love it when the 8 year old can jump on the Mac and do what they want, and same for the eldest too.

Only the Playstation gets *too* much attention from the teenage boys so I kick them out into the sunshine if I think they're been on too long.

It all works out and even for the youngest doing pages, drawing, internet are as natural now as riding their bikes and just plain messing around outside.

But most of all let them be who they are, whether that be books, socialising or outdoors and keep an eye out to make sure they at least get all the options you can offer them and see which way they lean.

Alex.

Get out - together with the kids.

[MindPrison]

Give them the adventure of a lifetime! Take your kids for an extended trip..lasting 2-3 days out in the wilderness. At first - they'll probably think you're mad and go crazy over it and want to go home. When the first period of "I-hate-u-dad" are gone, theyll realize that they have no choice but to make the best of it, and then together you'll solve survival puzzle's and discover all the exciting things in nature.. ...there's nothing like the REAL aliens out there - natures own wonders...bugs...in all their colors etc. Your kids are sure to be fascinated. Later - when they get back to their "tech" world...don't hinder them, let them play at will, don't be surprised if they try to look up the bugs at the internet...and want to go "exploring" at some later time in life - because this is the time when you'll bring memories that will live inside them forever!