Is My Kid the Only One NOT on Online Chat?

Okay, fellow parents, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, or rather, the glowing screen in our kids’ hands. I swear, sometimes I feel like the only parent trying to monitor my child’s internet usage.

It all started innocently enough. A little educational app here, a cute YouTube video there. But then, BAM! Fifth grade hits, and suddenly everyone’s on Zoom chat, sharing YouTube Shorts, and basically living their best digital lives. Except my kid. Because, you know, I’m that parent.

The one who still remembers a time when “social media” meant passing notes in class. The one who cringes at the thought of their child stumbling upon the dark underbelly of the internet. The one who actually reads those articles about the effects of excessive screen time on developing brains. (Spoiler alert: they’re not pretty.)

So while other kids are busy racking up screen time like it’s going out of style, mine is out in the backyard, building forts, climbing trees, and generally engaging in good old-fashioned outdoor play. (For six hours straight! I’m not kidding. Send help… and snacks.)

Don’t get me wrong, I love that she loves the outdoors. (Although I can see it slowly changing now) Seriously, some days it’s like she’s part mountain goat, scaling trees and leaping over rocks with the energy of a caffeinated squirrel. But there are other days (like when it’s 100 degrees outside or raining sideways) when she’d rather be curled up inside. And on those days, I wouldn’t mind if she, you know, did something indoors that didn’t involve staring at a screen. Like, maybe pick up a book? Do some crafts? Learn to knit? Discover the lost art of doing absolutely nothing?

But no. Instead, it’s meltdown city because “all her friends are on Zoom” and she’s the only one given 15 minutes on her iPad. And when I try to explain my concerns, I get the classic, “But Mom, everyone else is doing it! Everyone gets unlimited screen time!” (Ah, the age-old argument that has justified everything from questionable fashion choices to questionable life choices.)

Other parents tell me I’m fighting a losing battle. That I won’t be able to control her internet usage forever. That I should just give in and let her have free rein now. But it’s like handing her the car keys the moment she turns sixteen, regardless of whether she’s had any driving lessons. Yes, she’ll be able to drive eventually, but I also want to equip her with the skills and knowledge to navigate safely and responsibly. I also want to make sure she doesn’t drive the whole day!

Look, I get it. Technology is here to stay. And I’m not trying to raise my kid in a tech-free bubble. (Although, sometimes I fantasize about moving to a remote island with no Wi-Fi.) But can we at least acknowledge that this whole parenting in the digital age thing is a minefield? That we’re basically pioneers navigating uncharted territory? That we don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay?

So to all my fellow parents out there who are also trying to strike a balance between embracing technology and protecting their kids, I say this: You’re not alone. We’re in this together. And maybe, just maybe, if we band together, we can figure this whole thing out.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I hear a meltdown brewing. Apparently, “unlimited screen time” wasn’t on the menu for dinner tonight.

Do you have screen limits for your 10 and under kids? If yes, how much time are they allowed? Let us know in the comments below.