@get ur device tagged, I am impressed, you joined just to say this statement
I’m both impressed and super grateful. I know that both Amil and GH are of and age and mindset were they do not need people commenting on their tablet use but it does jar me a bit to see a conversation about movie watching/accessibility across the board as if it is just a given.
Just pointing out that my strong opposition of screens came primarily from a place of cognitive development before it was even a religious issue.
We said no to screens to our kids during the early childhood years because once you start giving in “just for long car rides” it quickly becomes “just for car rides” and “just on Fridays when I’m desperate”, “just when I really don’t have energy” and eventually “just when they scream and yell loud enough that I can’t listen anymore”. I found NO to be an easier answer to this than ongoing battles.
Having said that – as a pediatric OT I (and colleagues) saw glimmers of potential developmental damage way back in the 90’s and it has all been realized. There are so many issues (from development of hand function to deficits in ability to process time and space) that I can’t help but mention it even tho I know it’s not gonna make too much of a difference right now.
There is also the addictive component, much stronger for kids who have and reading or attention issues who find the tablet to be a less effortful place to be.
Those issues are all besides the content, bitul zman and tznius issues that most of you have already heard and know.