How to raise a child screen-free and algorithm-free
Raising a child without digital devices or algorithms is difficult when parents are surrounded by constant device use, streaming media, and family members who keep screens on around them. This social pressure leaves parents worried about how to protect their children's digital footprint and manage inevitable exposure without clear guidance.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Moving to Europe
- 2Using an iPod and downloading music manually
- 3Borrowing physical media or movies from the library
- 4Implementing tv-free days and switching audio to a second language
- 5Redirecting the child with alternative activities or toys
- 6Accepting that other households have different rules and letting go of control outside the home
- 7Avoiding social gatherings, vacations, or visits to family members' houses where screens will be present
- 8Explaining to older children that different families have different rules
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“we go to grandmas often and I don't want my kids seeing another baby around their age with a screen and wondering why they don't get it or me scrambling twins trying to get them not to watch”source ↗
“This is just something I'm not willing to budge on and don't know how to navigate it.”source ↗
“My 18 month old isn’t allowed screens but my grandma has her TV on in the living room 24/7 and it’s just not my place to ask her to turn it off.”source ↗
“Something that has heavily been on my mind is raising my kid with no screens and no algorithm.”source ↗
“I do not want my child seeing me on my phone constantly, and I do worry about how seeing adults scrolling constantly will affect them.”source ↗
“I want to keep my baby’s digital foot print clean until they can decide for themselves how they want to engage with social media.”source ↗
“Second, I want to raise my kid algorithm free meaning no Spotify, Netflix, YouTube or algorithmic based apps.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 6Are we the only ones limiting video game screen time?
- 2How do you take care of a newborn all alone?
- 6How to keep a fearless toddler safe who doesn't understand danger
- 7How to stop students from scrolling phones during class
- 4Is it okay to let 10-year-olds hang out in a house with no parents?
- 3What age is appropriate to start letting kids play video games?