Learn to be tech skeptical

While technology takes a move-fast-and-break-things approach, it’s on us to make sure the important things (i.e., kids and teens) don’t get broken in the process. We have seen the negative effects of smartphones and social media and now run the risk of repeating that, only with even more powerful and untested technologies.

When evaluating any technology for kids, we should ask: is it proven safe, effective, and legal? And not in a “take my word for it” kind of way.

This applies to parents and families making decisions on things like tech-enabled toys and social media apps but also to schools and educators with EdTech and devices in classrooms. This is an approach our society already takes with products designed for kids, from sunscreen to car seats. Why wouldn’t we put technology to the same test?

In his latest TED Talk, Jon Haidt shares three ways we can all be technoskeptics when it comes to kids and teens.

For more, watch the TED Talk: