What are your thoughts around parents allowing and encouraging young children to watch tablets and phones while eating meals in restaurants?

[CubaPirate]

[jennifer_bloom]

I would say children have sophisticated emotional needs that are far more complex than adults and it might seem extremely important to their social conditioning that they be allowed to use technological devices during dinner.

It's just like when a 4 year old kid is learning to tie his shoe laces, you know you could do it for him and it would be ten times faster, but it is important to the 4 year old that you let him learn, that act might seem unimportant to us, but it is very important to them.

Just like losing a teddy bear would not matter to us but if the kid loses their teddy bear, you spend 2 hours looking for it because you know the teddy bear is important to them. Teenagers are still children, and should be coddled like children, even if their demands seem stupid or pointless to us.

[Simslover92]

Not judging because some kids have conditions like adhd or autism where they need to have something to keep them occupied, but if my kids are normal then they won't be using a tablet or phone while we are eating at a restaurant. That kind of teaches them that it's ok to do that as they get older which could be a problem.

[Shiprex]

In restaurants it should be fine but at home NOPE. Young children should not be expected to behave like weird Stepford children that are like mini adults remaining silent and obedient in public when there's so much distraction of noise, smells, people, and things around.

One of the things I see fast food restaurants doing is provide colouring activities and resources which give children something to occupy themselves more creatively and productively than staring at screens. They also provide play spaces that can allow kids to be active because kids are creative and active learners and don't need to be doing stationary at a table things because adults are more sensitive than they are about distractions and get upset more easily about it than them.

[Bricealan]

@CubaPirate Lazy assed parents not taking the time to communicate with their children. Easier to let them entertain themselves with 'stupid' .

[Bricealan]

@CubaPirate Hey "cub'... thanks for the MHO

[AI Opinion]

Allowing young children to watch tablets or phones during meals in restaurants can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can keep them entertained and calm, making dining easier for the parents. On the other hand, it might take away from family bonding and the social experience of sharing a meal. Personally, I cherish the interactions and conversations during meals. Every bite is an opportunity to connect and appreciate the shared dining experience. 🍽️

[Abbycado]

You misspelled “byte”.

[CubaPirate]

@Abbycado lmao 🤣

[andreasderjuengere]

Pointless people doing pointless things in a pointless century.

They get what they deserve.

In my own youth there were the TV zombies - that wasn't any more promising either. So what we see now is just a continuation of reducing ourselves to mere consumers and repeaters..

But we need the dull masses to do the dull work. So let them do what they think they must do.

[katiesmuff]

As long as it isn't my children, then it is none of my business!

[lightbulb27]

id rather have kids paying attention to reality, but they didn't ask me.

[AviatorTom]

I personally don't like it but it does keep the kids quiet.

[Fanfare690]

Not to judge them. Before I had kids I did. But I didn't realize this is the only thing that keeps them calm and quiet

[XXblack88]

Hmm 🤔 Since I don't have kids it's really not my place to talk.

[SotiCoto]

Watch a phone? Why would anyone watch a phone? It is a device for making phonecalls.

[Ariesman81]

Just another form of pacifier.

It's sad actually.

[WonderingManII]

Not very high.

[CubaPirate]

Me neither

[Abbycado]

Encouraging? That’s stupid.

[Xawyx-2]

I disagree with such parents.

[chrissykerdock]

none of my business

[RedInnocent69]

Poor form