I found this really interesting, and it's struck me a number of times just how on earth is one supposed to raise children without an iPad, smartphone, Kindle, Xbox etc. I've been on the bus or train or walking the dog and seen parents with the toddler in a buggy engrossed in the screen, deftly scrolling and zooming in a way that my 80yo parents still haven't mastered. Given the intolerance (either privately or publicly) for children being loud, embarrassing, angry, chatty or tearful, how else to keep them occupied? Even though there are so few spaces for kids--anyone--to like you say, hang out, play, argue, laugh, fall over, shout, scream and let off steam. I hope this movement gains momentum in a meaningful way by providing a real world alternative to the 'joys' of the virtual.
It's interesting that you mention the general intolerance to normal childhood behaviour - I hadn't thought of it before but it's true, children do seem to be much quieter in public nowadays, and perhaps it's down to screen culture. Thanks for raising a very good point!
So much food for thought Rose and I love your thinking about safe online spaces for children to learn and share ideas. This will be the future, I’m sure of it. Just need to get the big tech guys and the gov to agree on some regulations to protect our babies. Thank you for this, I’ve shared it with some mums I know too
Thanks Lara! Exactly - the team behind SFC is making huge strides but they can't do it alone. Others need to step in to create a version of the virtual world that's compatible with childhood!
I found this really interesting, and it's struck me a number of times just how on earth is one supposed to raise children without an iPad, smartphone, Kindle, Xbox etc. I've been on the bus or train or walking the dog and seen parents with the toddler in a buggy engrossed in the screen, deftly scrolling and zooming in a way that my 80yo parents still haven't mastered. Given the intolerance (either privately or publicly) for children being loud, embarrassing, angry, chatty or tearful, how else to keep them occupied? Even though there are so few spaces for kids--anyone--to like you say, hang out, play, argue, laugh, fall over, shout, scream and let off steam. I hope this movement gains momentum in a meaningful way by providing a real world alternative to the 'joys' of the virtual.
It's interesting that you mention the general intolerance to normal childhood behaviour - I hadn't thought of it before but it's true, children do seem to be much quieter in public nowadays, and perhaps it's down to screen culture. Thanks for raising a very good point!
So much food for thought Rose and I love your thinking about safe online spaces for children to learn and share ideas. This will be the future, I’m sure of it. Just need to get the big tech guys and the gov to agree on some regulations to protect our babies. Thank you for this, I’ve shared it with some mums I know too
Thanks Lara! Exactly - the team behind SFC is making huge strides but they can't do it alone. Others need to step in to create a version of the virtual world that's compatible with childhood!