What Constant Surveillance Is Doing to Children

Re:What Constant Surveillance Is Doing to Children by chasd00 on Tuesday November 10, 2026 @06:42PM (#50447909)

My boys are 16 and 14, we tried to limit screen time when they were younger but weren’t militant about it. Both are doing fine, good students, and humans. They have had phones since 6th grade and social media but their day-to-day use is more in group iMessage chats and meeting up with friends to play games.

Militant anti-technology parenting guarantees nothing.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What Constant Surveillance Is Doing to Children by aliasxneo on Tuesday November 10, 2026 @07:17PM (#50448199)

It's probably just not so black and white. Every kid is different and I think you just have to observe how they handle different mediums. If I had a kid that really struggles with peer pressure, why would I put them in a situation where it's likely to be heavily amplified (i.e. social media)? But maybe other kids handle it just fine.

FWIW, I let my boys spend a good chunk of hours on video games because I would be a hypocrite otherwise. But there comes a point when their behavior takes a turn for the worse (I mean after so much video game time) that I end up taking it away for awhile. All things in moderation and such.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What Constant Surveillance Is Doing to Children by throwaway2037 on Tuesday November 10, 2026 @08:02PM (#50448533)

    > They have had phones since 6th grade and social media but their day-to-day use is more in group iMessage chats and meeting up with friends to play games.

I am curious about the outcome if you had daughters.

[ Parent | on HN ]