Stupid White Boy Blabble

Legos were my best friend when I was five

Ed. Note: Sorry for the lack of posts. Real world consumed me for the last week or so (not the show, although it’s back on, so that makes me happy)

Think back to when you were a toddler and try to remember what you did for fun. Obviously different generations found different forms of entertainment. But I would be willing to be none of it had to do with sitting in front of a screen most of the time. How times have changed.

A report out yesterday from Joan Ganz Cooney Center and Sesame Workshop says 80 percent of children ages zero to five use the internet on a weekly basis. Television viewing still dominates how children consume media, with most children spending at least three hours in front of the television.

The internet was not an American household staple when I was young but I can’t imagine my parents plopping me in front of a computer screen. Yes, computers, and screens in general, are as much of apart of our lives now as breathing is. But couldn’t parents find something better for their kids to do. I am not one to tell parents how to raise their kids, but just knowing there is endless stuff for kids to do hands on or outdoors, it just seems odd.

Of course the study says on a weekly basis, so I doubt parents are replacing Legos and physical activity for a screen. I can understand doing something fun or educational once in awhile on a computer. Maybe teaching them how to use a computer early will help them with their careers in the future. Who knows?

I can’t imagine just plopping my kids in front of a screen (who am I kidding, I can’t even imagine having kids right now). But I have a feeling that’s what I will be doing. I know one thing for sure, there will be no damn TV screens in my car.