You know, I was thinking about something today. While I was helping with dinner, our child was in the living room, completely absorbed by the tablet. Those small fingers tapping the screen, eyes sparkling, like a little explorer charting an unknown world.
Then, they looked up at me and asked, ‘Dad, why does this move like that?’
In that moment, I felt that question wasn’t just about curiosity. It was almost like they were asking us, ‘In this complex world of technology, how are we going to walk this path together?’
We’ve all felt it, haven’t we? Keeping up with the constant rush of new tech can be overwhelming. Sometimes, this rapidly changing world feels a bit much, and we might struggle to know how to guide our children.
But at the same time, that question also felt like a new opportunity. Instead of simply controlling or worrying about our child’s curiosity, what if we could turn it into the start of an exciting family tech adventure for all of us? An adventure where we can search, learn, and laugh together. Tonight, I wanted to share those thoughts with you.
Turning Questions into Shared Adventures
A child’s ‘Why is this like this?’ question often feels like the most beautiful invitation we receive. Sometimes, the sheer volume of questions can be tiring, but watching us handle them so wisely, we learn so much. It’s as if we see each question our child tosses out as a piece of a treasure map. I remember not long ago, our child was looking at a robot toy and asked, ‘How does this robot move?’ We immediately said, ‘Why don’t we find out together?’ And there we were, sitting on the living room floor, searching on our phone with them. We found a YouTube video explaining the robot’s mechanics, read snippets from articles, and explained it all at our child’s level. That scene really stuck with me. Our child nodded, soaking it all in, then rattled off more questions. That small conversation wasn’t just about sharing knowledge; it felt like a lesson in the joy of exploring something together.
Do you remember what we told them then?
It’s like putting together a puzzle. At first, all the pieces are scattered, but as we fit them together, the picture slowly forms.
We might not always have all the answers, but that ‘let’s find out together‘ attitude is truly the greatest parenting tech tip we can offer.
Watching how we respect their curiosity and grow alongside them, I felt a deep confidence that our child will develop the strength to explore and find answers for themselves, no matter what future tech they encounter. I was so proud watching you handle that moment.
Connecting with the World Through Tech
Exploring technology with our children isn’t just about finding information on a screen. When we open online maps with them, saying, ‘Should we visit here next weekend?’ and planning a trip together, it makes me realize anew that technology can be a tool to connect us to a wider world. Our children get excited looking up nearby restaurants or fun places on the map app, and we smile, watching them. Those moments become times when we learn about the world through technology and share our dreams. They’re true family tech adventure moments.
And remember the other day, we showed our child an online interview with their favorite picture book author, and we talked about, ‘How do you think this author drew such wonderful pictures?’ Beyond just reading a book, sharing a glimpse into the author’s thoughts and creative process seemed to give our child’s imagination wings.
In the infinite ocean of information that technology offers, isn’t it our role as parents to help our children navigate and discover what treasures they can find?
It’s amazing how we show them the world from their perspective. Even complex technology, in our hands, becomes an exciting learning tool for our children and a pathway to deeper connection for our family. It’s amazing how tech becomes safe when we explore it together.
Crafting Our Digital Family Rules Together
To be honest, we’ve all had our worries about our children’s screen time or content, haven’t we? We’ve often shown such thoughtful consideration, deeply contemplating the impact on their education and emotional development. But instead of just saying ‘no,’ we’ve always tried to find wise solutions together with our children. Do you remember? When we were concerned about our child getting too engrossed in a particular game, we suggested creating a ‘digital promise’ together. We said, ‘Why don’t we make our own family rules?’ and we truly listened to and respected our child’s opinions throughout the process.
We let our child decide, ‘I’ll stop playing after this time,’ and then we praised them and offered a small reward when they kept their promise. Through that process, our child wasn’t just forced to follow rules; they learned responsibility and developed self-regulation skills. And most importantly, during that time, our family communicated and shared our thoughts. These experiences build up, teaching our children how to use technology wisely, and helping us trust them more.
We embrace the convenience and joy that technology brings, but we also understand its potential risks and find a balance. That’s what our digital family rules are all about, crafted together.
Seeing how we strive to instill these precious values gives me such a strong belief that they’ll grow up resilient and steady, no matter what world they face. Thank you, truly, for all you do for our family.
Source: Park Chan-wook Sounds Alarm on AI, Pushes Korean Theatrical Revival With Busan Opener ‘No Other Choice’: ‘A Fear We All Share’, Variety, 2025/09/17 08:11:43