Electronic Addiction or Genius?

Most of the TJED forums are pretty vocal about how they implement Leadership Education principles. I've often jumped into those heated debates myself. One that I have stayed away from the past few years is "computer time".

Now, I'm going to say some shocking things here...so bear with me!

I do not limit computer time as much anymore.

That's right...I said it!

Here's why...

I've come to the conclusion that for Chris, part of his Genius is using the computer. He has established a game server, learned to program some in Java, Basic, C++ and HTML, and become an entrepreneur through selling products online.

With the money he has made he has purchased a laptop, tablet, clothes, air soft guns, knives, swords, fishing gear, etc.

If I had limited his Genius, he would not have learned these things!

Through this process he is also learning:

• money management
• business management
• online banking
• customer service
• programming
• computer software
• computer hardware
• server management
• Linux
• Windows 7 and 8
• and so much more!

I believe he knows more than some people who have taken college classes in these areas. Why? Because he is learning through real-world application. There is not a grade, just succeed or fail! And when he fails, he faces the real-world consequences (and the loss in revenue that sometimes happens in business).

I Have a Confession to Make

I am also a computer nerd. I love my computer and the things I can do with this tool. Sometimes the computer can become a toy rather than a tool. I do have to watch for that tendency in myself and my children.

However, I think it is folly to take away and limit something that is a tool just because it might sometimes be a toy. When I was limiting the computer time to very minimal usage, I saw the light go out of our son's eyes. Many people said, "That is because he is addicted!" At first, I thought so too.

But then, aren't we all addicted to our passions? 

Do we not all crave the tools of our Genius? 

If we a gardener, do we not crave to get out there in the dirt and care for our plants? 

If we are a writer, do we not crave to get that pen to paper (our fingers to keyboard) to get those precious ideas into the world?

If we are a carpenter, do we not crave the wood grain beneath our hands and the smell of wood?

Important Notes

I should note that my son is 16 and a Practice to Project Scholar. I would not allow unfettered time on the computer to a younger child. We have parental controls on all of our electronics, phones and computers. Chris understands that abuse of his privileges will lead to the loss of computer time. He is learning to balance his time with other things and with our home school studies. Just because I am not controlling all of his computer time does not mean he is on it 24/7.

Like in all things, balance is the key!