QOTD: Would You Ban Gadgets from Your House?

By Jane McEntegart
published

A set of parents in the United Kingdom who had grown tired of seeing their children glued to their gadgets have banned phones, consoles, computers and television in the home.

The Daily Mail this week carriers a story about Miranda and Richard Jones, a couple who have banned gadgets from their home. DM reports that their social experiment began six years ago when they noticed one of their children was 'less grumpy' when he wasn't allowed to play computer games.

"We would have dinner and I felt like it was something they had to do between playing their games," said Miranda.

And so, over a six-year period, the couple began slowly weaning their children off their gadgets. The games and computer were taken away, the children were not allowed have cell phones and television time was limited. When it came time for the family to move, they never had cable installed so even the TV became redundant. Though her children watch DVDs on the weekends, Mr and Mrs Jones say the family is much happier now.

"I wanted the children to have a proper childhood," Miranda said. "They have accepted that spending time on computers and mobile phones is something other kids do and they don’t. Instead they go out more and see friends and have face to face conversations with them."

Their 18-year-old says that over all, the ban has been good for him. ‘I think it’s worked very well for my friendships, I actually get to see my friends rather than just talking to them on the internet."

However, not everyone has been as accepting as the kids. Their school has complained to the parents, claiming it is not fair to deny the children access to computers and television, but Mrs Jones says the fears that other kids would alienate her children have been unfounded. She also says the fact that they do not have a computer has not stopped her oldest son, Joshua, from being offered a place in Cambridge University.

Josh says the lack of computer hasn't interfered with school at all. 'It’s not interfered with my school life either because, since I did my GCSEs, I haven’t actually been assigned any online work.' Josh goes on to say he's always found alternatives to using a computer for homework, 'I have always found alternatives to doing research online and my parents have been really good with getting us books instead.'

Do you agree with the Jones' ban on gadgets for their kids? Today's Question of the Day is:

Have you/would you ever ban gadgets from your home?

Jane McEntegart
113 Comments Comment from the forums
  • jacobdrj
    As long as it is just no computers in the home, it is cool. I am of the belief that things like TV have been learning tools for me, and those who want to learn. Computers are very useful for research and are usually required for word processing in many doctoral/graduate/undergraduate papers and reports, and for undergraduates in many universities, it is the only way homework can be completed (MyAccountingLab anyone?) However, I know may people who do without computers in their every day life and are fine with it. However, computer skills are very important for the workplace, so having skill in the school are more important than in the home. A ban in the home is just fine.
    Reply
  • kingnoobe
    It's their right as parents. And the school has no place to say anything. Personally I wouldn't go that far, but they feel as though it's good for the kids, and their not abusing their kids in anyway.

    More power to them for actually taking time to care for their kids. If more parents would care this much while being reasonable this world would be much better off.
    Reply
  • Computers are becoming more essential to human activity everyday. They may claim it wont hurt them but wait until their children apply for jobs. Unless they are becoming laborers, they will be at a severe disadvantage versus the rest of the work force.
    Reply
  • ominous prime
    I disagree. And I'm that kid in the thumbnail.

    I think this is really bad, I mean, when these kids end up getting jobs they will be way behind in terms of their proficiency with a computer. Wouldn't a simpler solution be to just install a program on the computer that locks them out after x amount of hours?
    Reply
  • Gulli
    I wouldn't exactly call phones and computers "gadgets", these days you can't even get, let alone keep, a job without them.
    Reply
  • stormex
    Luddites.
    Reply
  • twisted politiks
    honestly, if they think that keeping kids from using the gadgets of tomorrow's everyday world, then good for them, just leaves more jobs for the rest of the people who actually know how to use current technology ;)
    Reply
  • dman3k
    I'd ban Apple products and Foxconn brands.

    (With the exception the electronics that contain parts from Foxconn cause it's near impossible to tell without cracking them open)
    Reply
  • Gulli
    Besides, it would only be fair if the parents chipped in to: as in getting rid of their car (cycling or walking is better for them, right?) I'm pretty sure that if you were to propose that to the parents they would make up the same excuses the kids made when their consoles were taken away.
    Reply
  • jacobdrj
    While these kids may be at a disadvantage on the computers themselves, there is a place for the old school research skills and reading skills that many of us computer kids just don't have. There is always a pro and a con to these kinds of decisions. My parents wanted me to have an advantage in the workplace so staring almost 20 years ago they exposed me to computers. It has given me a leg up, but I think it still came down to overall skills and personality that got me and my siblings success in the workplace...
    Reply