WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:04.240 Hi, I’m Arcelia González for Common Sense Media. 00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:07.520 Today we’re going to be talking  about the different effects   00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:12.240 technology and media have on your  role as parents and caregivers. 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:16.160 Every family is different and  each kid has their unique needs,   00:00:16.160 --> 00:00:20.240 but I think we can agree that there  are times when handing your child   00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:25.528 your phone or turning on the TV can  make your life a whole lot easier. 00:00:25.528 --> 00:00:31.040 And there are also cases, like when it’s  time to turn off the TV or if you have kids   00:00:31.040 --> 00:00:37.040 who are obsessed with video games, that tech  can make your job as a parent much harder. 00:00:37.040 --> 00:00:41.483 Understanding both the benefits and hallenges  of raising kids in today's 00:00:41.483 --> 00:00:45.999 digital world is an important part of creating an environment at home 00:00:45.999 --> 00:00:48.498 that supports their healthy development. 00:00:48.498 --> 00:00:52.403 Let's get started by hearing what some parents have to say on the subject. 00:00:57.040 --> 00:01:01.304 What's challenging for me is that my  children, even though they're small,   00:01:01.304 --> 00:01:05.926 but as they're getting older and they're more interested in technology. 00:01:05.926 --> 00:01:09.275 And I can't keep up with everything. 00:01:09.275 --> 00:01:10.342 I thought I could. 00:01:10.342 --> 00:01:15.052 I thought “I got this, right,”  but I can't keep up with   00:01:15.052 --> 00:01:20.331 all of the new games and parental  controls and privacy settings. 00:01:20.331 --> 00:01:22.560 Like all these things, I just  cannot keep up with it. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:23.740 And sometimes I get frustrated. 00:01:23.740 --> 00:01:25.999 And I tell my husband, you deal  with that because I can’t. 00:01:25.999 --> 00:01:28.147 I just know my kid cannot  be watching this by himself. 00:01:28.147 --> 00:01:30.397 So that's what's frustrating for me. Yeah. 00:01:30.397 --> 00:01:36.124 The biggest one for me personally, and this may  sound crazy to some people, especially if you   00:01:36.124 --> 00:01:42.283 don't actually have kids, but for me, is fighting that challenge of the addiction. 00:01:42.283 --> 00:01:47.637 Like, you don't want your kid to become addicted  to this thing where it becomes a necessity. 00:01:47.637 --> 00:01:50.932 Where it's like... it's a great tool for a road trip. 00:01:50.932 --> 00:01:54.074 But are they able to get in the car without it? 00:01:54.074 --> 00:01:57.187 You know, like what is the first  thing they do when they wake up? 00:01:57.187 --> 00:01:59.770 Is it grab tablet? Is it turn on the TV? 00:01:59.770 --> 00:02:04.160 You know, I remember one time I took  my son's tablet from him and he,   00:02:04.160 --> 00:02:06.604 like, went nuts and I was looking at him. 00:02:06.604 --> 00:02:08.924 I was like, Boy, you have a problem. 00:02:13.840 --> 00:02:16.086 So one benefit, I think…..   00:02:16.971 --> 00:02:20.425 so I struggle with this question a  little bit because I think I always go 00:02:20.425 --> 00:02:24.376 to the not so great things that we're struggling with as parents 00:02:24.376 --> 00:02:27.313 but the benefit, I think is information. 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:30.520 The good information that you can get. 00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:38.887 Information that your kids  can get, like positive things,   00:02:38.887 --> 00:02:42.424 positive information, learning, a lot of learning and knowledge, 00:02:42.424 --> 00:02:45.210 things like learning numbers or letters. 00:02:45.210 --> 00:02:48.960 I mean, there’s just all kinds of stuff  that they can get through technology. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:51.149 I think this is definitely a benefit. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:55.993 I would say exposure because,   00:02:55.993 --> 00:03:00.347 you know, when I was growing up, your worldview was as big as your block, 00:03:00.347 --> 00:03:00.983 you know what I mean? 00:03:00.983 --> 00:03:03.988 Like, I grew up in the projects and I didn't know we were poor 00:03:03.988 --> 00:03:07.911 until I got to school and found out there were people with houses, you know? 00:03:07.911 --> 00:03:11.920 So and I remember, like, we just  only knew what was happening in   00:03:11.920 --> 00:03:14.320 our neighborhood or on our block or whatever. 00:03:14.320 --> 00:03:19.040 But I think with kids now, it  makes it easier to have a global   00:03:19.040 --> 00:03:24.080 perspective because they can  watch videos of kids here. 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:26.240 You know, every country has a Ryan. 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:27.040 You know what I mean? 00:03:27.040 --> 00:03:31.360 It's like somebody some kid is  making more money than everybody   00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:33.760 will know, you know? And I think so. 00:03:33.760 --> 00:03:38.484 I would say that I would say just that  exposure to what's happening in the world. 00:03:38.484 --> 00:03:41.840 There’s no denying that  technology is here to stay. 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:44.960 As it continues to evolve,  we all have to do our best   00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:49.600 to use tech wisely and always keep  our family's well-being in mind. 00:03:49.600 --> 00:03:55.200 Thanks very much. And remember, to find  more helpful advice on media and tech,   00:03:55.200 --> 00:03:59.840 visit us at commonsensemedia.org.