Meaning clearly I’m a terrible parent SMH.

Also I am exaggerating.. the kids enjoy the television programming they experience on the YouTube and I would prefer if there were fewer errors.

Tell me you weren’t 100% addicted to a television show when you were a kid (He-Man, GI Joe, Transformers...), oh holy one.

I was not. I had early access to a real computer though, with those big trackball mice (my parents said it was easier for me to grasp) and a keyboard, and I had my own computer in my room by 7. I was addicted to that I guess.

And that would be the first thing I'd do if I had to parent actually. Why dumb things down with tablets ? A computer is affordable for most HNers. Give them computers. They can do the same tasks and learn so much more down the road ! Let them use complex contextual menus and find their own way, type on a real keyboard with keys you actually need to press, move a cursor ... I don't get why tech savvy people give touch screens to their children.

These mobile environments lead nowhere. Whereas when I started using the internet I too wanted my own website and already had the tools needed.

Also you said

>as well as have a large assortment of crafts and novel activities for them to engage in every morning while I do stuff like bathe and eat.

I don't remember my parents having stuff ready for every instant of my life. Sure I was bored from time to time (no siblings) and I probably bothered them (again, no siblings, I guess numerous bored kids is messier, but that should be thought upon beforehand), but I had to find my own occupations. What are you going to do later in life anyways ? Ask friends to keep you untertained ?

I’m talking about younger kids. But, cool, feel free to report back when you actually have kids and tell us how your plan went.

My dad gave me a laptop with games and basic tools on it when I was 2 years old, and i figured that out pretty quickly.

When I was 6, I was allowed to use the internet but there were limitations for time and keyloggers.

My parents gave up when they found out I was booting up with linux off a flash drive at 14.

I feel like I learned more about technology when there were obstacles to overcome, rather than instant gratification.

I would start my own kids off air-gapped and then gradually allow access, since for me it gave me a healthy respect for danger and taught me to find solutions.

I think this is pretty close to what Linus Torvalds does with his kids, but I might be mistaken.

> Tell me you weren’t 100% addicted to a television show when you were a kid (He-Man, GI Joe, Transformers...), oh holy one.

But that was only once a day after school for 1 hour or so. Not constantly everytime I felt bored.

An hour a day of screentime is literally what I’m talking about. That’s a constant presence in life.

But it's more nowadays. I notice it even on myself. On the internet I can watch whatever I like, and stick to that for hours. On the TV theres maybe only 2-3 interesting shows to watch, so I would eventually turn it off.

> Meaning clearly I’m a terrible parent SMH.

> Also I am exaggerating

> 100% addicted

> oh holy one

Perhaps you should use less hyperbole in your writings, it would certainly lead to fewer misunderstandings.

I was, although I'm of an older generation. I watched tons of TV as a kid and I turned out OK. ;-)