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Dad Livin Ep 8 - Fatherhood in the Digital Age: Parenting, Screen Time & Real Conversations
34 Plays8 months ago
Are you a Father struggling with kids and technology? Being a dad in today’s digital age isn’t easy. Between the emotional challenges of fatherhood, the pressure of raising kids in a tech-driven world, and navigating tough conversations about life and current events, dads everywhere are looking for balance. In this episode of Dad Livin’, we dive into: - The emotional toll of fatherhood and why community support matters - How technology and screen time are reshaping parenting - The ongoing debate around kids and smartphones - Having tough but necessary conversations with our children - The heroic story of a dad who stepped up to save a child at an amusement park We keep it real with personal stories, dad humor, and practical insights that every father can relate to. Whether you’re struggling with screen time battles, figuring out how to talk to your kids about tough topics, or just looking for encouragement—you’re not alone. This is what Dad Livin’ is all about—support, laughs, and keeping it real. Listen to more episodes and connect with us: https://www.dadlivin.com #dadpodcast #fatherhoodpodcast #parentingtips #parentingpodcast #fatherhoodjourney #dadsadvice #kidsscreentime #dadssupportingdads #menspodcast #dadlivin #dadlife
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Transcript
Introduction to DadLivin' Podcast
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome to the DadLivin' Podcast. This isn't just a podcast, it's a movement. Hosted by four best friends who are dads first and storytellers second, we dive into the real, messy, hilarious side of fatherhood. From diaper disasters to teenage drama, work-life balance to building a legacy, we keep it real, fun, and meaningful. Whether you're a rookie dad or a pro, this is your weekly reminder you're not alone. Grab a drink, kick back, and join the conversation.
Balancing Dad Life with Podcasting
00:00:30
Speaker
a Welcome, everyone. Welcome to Dad Living. it going? up, buddy? We're a little light today. I know, right? Right? I mean, think as we, we lasted a lot longer than we expected before we got into it. Yeah, we really underestimated the difficulty of getting all of our schedules lined up every week. So, you know, we got to keep pushing forward, though. I know, right?
Celebrating Parenting Achievements
00:00:53
Speaker
Right? And for you out there, I mean, dads, it gets crazy, as you know.
00:00:57
Speaker
I mean, every night, some going on, kids, sports, work. I mean, it's it's insane. And, you know, ah Mike's talked about it. Doit has talked about being an overnight shift.
00:01:09
Speaker
Yeah. He's in the middle of it right now. We're feeling for him right now. Brian, other Brian obviously has a demanding job. I'm probably the most flexible with you guys, but it's still a struggle. I know, right?
00:01:19
Speaker
Right. And I'm still, this is my last week. Hallelujah. That I'm a solo dad. Right. You did it, man. Yeah. And, you know, ah I've given so many shout outs to my wife. Shout out to Kel for um she passed. She graduated everything that she was working hard on and doing doing in that space. So ah kudos to you, babe. Love you. And yeah we'll see you next week. Can't wait to have you back. Yes.
00:01:45
Speaker
make this a lot easier, right? So yeah, sorry out there if you've enjoyed ah the faces of the other two guys, but you're stuck with us tonight. i know, right? I mean, Brian is kind of sexy, but you know, you know i um I mean, I'm not going to lie. He's a handsome guy. We're all handsome guys. Doi Man, I mean, yeah, and that that baritone voice.
00:02:04
Speaker
Got that voice, man. I know. And so you get to listen to us for little short
Technology's Emotional Impact: Then and Now
00:02:10
Speaker
time. But what do we want to talk about tonight, Dougie? we're going to dive into just the world. Everything crazy with, obviously, emotions, with fatherhood. I think that's that's such a big thing today and how technology is so amazing.
00:02:25
Speaker
But at the same time, can cause, obviously, situations with kids, I mean, situations with us, I mean, i think it's just a different world we live in and especially us being millennials.
00:02:39
Speaker
I mean, it changes the world so much because there was a time where, like, do you remember before technology? So it's been said that our generation, I don't want to say the greatest generation, but um we were, we still remember pre-internet.
00:02:57
Speaker
I mean, we grew up, i mean, the internet was out there, but PCs weren't in every home yet. I don't think I got internet in my house until I was a teenager, you know? At least, yeah. And yeah, we had video games and like, I remember our, the boomer parents saying back then, oh, the video games are going to ruin these kids, you know, and look at what the kids have now to their parents.
00:03:17
Speaker
disposal and um you know, and technology should ah benefit our lives, it shouldn't control our lives and I think that's what we'll kind of go into
Free Speech and Family: The Charlie Kirk Assassination
00:03:26
Speaker
here. Yeah, and all the craziness that parents, fathers, I mean, there's probably been a lot of tough conversations this past week and I'll obviously kind intro in high level. I mean, obviously everything going on with Charlie Kirk's situation and yeah You were not political by any means. um I think we want the show to be your left wing or a right wing. Like, let's all bring each other together and support each other, which that was the whole why behind us starting this, just having content out there um to support one another. And obviously what happened is ah it's tough.
00:04:00
Speaker
parent You know, as a parent, seeing that, you know, his his three year old daughter was there and everything. i'll I'll leave it at that. I mean, that is the toughest thing. and Obviously, the only thing I don't support in this whole thing is people celebrating it, which.
00:04:14
Speaker
Yeah. um Stuff. You know, it's been heavy. i I'm surprised it affected me the way it has. Like I wasn't an avid Charlie Kirk fan or follower. i and I knew of him. Obviously, he's got millions of followers. And, um you know, ah when I saw that happen,
00:04:32
Speaker
Just put all the politics aside. Like Doug said, we're not a political show. There's plenty of places you can get that from. you yeah um I think we want to be a place for all people to come together, like you said. But politics aside, we watched a husband and a father get assassinated live on TV or you know smartphones, whatever you saw it on.
00:04:53
Speaker
And just that part alone is tough enough to deal with. Like his young kids are going grow up without a father now. he's And they're going to see that clip of their father getting murdered on live television.
00:05:05
Speaker
over and over again. And and yeah that alone's just hit me hard. And then I think too, is just my kids are old enough or they know what's going on around them. You know, how do you have these tough conversations with them where, you know, I, I'm a champion of free speech. I'm a big believer in it. um I want to encourage my kids be able to speak their minds, you know, speak their beliefs. Um,
00:05:31
Speaker
And when you saw a guy get murdered for speaking about what he believed in, whether you agreed with him or not, um that's not the direction our our country should be in You know, we're 60 years past JFK and Martin Luther King.
00:05:47
Speaker
and And to see that happening in today's age and not to compare Charlie Kirk to those ah figures, but, you know, we've had had something like that in our lifetime.
Kids, Society, and the Influence of Tech
00:05:57
Speaker
And I think tying into technology, you open up your smartphone and Facebook or Instagram or whatever, and that's the first thing you see. right Nobody should have to see that.
00:06:08
Speaker
You know, like no one when JFK happened, yeah, it was on TV, but you could easily turn it off. You know, and it's been taught, it's been everywhere. It's, you can't avoid it. And this is just one of those things I think we should bring up because it transcends everything. I agree. I agree.
00:06:25
Speaker
Well, and and to that point, it's just, I don't think we've had had this in our lifetime. Obviously, it was a assassination on then, um you know, President, former President Trump. But i think at that point, too, I mean, if if you're... um you know, an older generation, a baby boomer, um you know, post in the comments, ah you know, kind of your how you how you handle that, having conversations with your kiddos with JFK or or any of those, because I agree. I mean, that still makes me emotional when you think about those guys and ah Martin Luther King and JFK and yeah all that stuff. And then to see it, I think for for me, it just brought that wave of emotions of fatherhood and then seeing his wife and seeing all those things, it's just like and
00:07:11
Speaker
it I think this week has been emotional for me and you know obviously having my wife and not here and me handling the burden of the kids has been tough. I'm not gonna lie, work's been crazy but I think for a lot of us out there as we're thinking about this just you know don't take life for granted, treat everyone fairly and and and even if they have opposing opinions.
00:07:34
Speaker
um That's what's so beautiful about this country is the fact that we can debate and talk and have different opposing views. So, yeah but a difficult thing about this too is like, that was a man that encouraged civil discourse. He welcomed debates.
00:07:50
Speaker
Yeah, some of the stuff right he said riled people up. Not debating that at all. He wanted to but host those ah debates and events to bring people together to talk about these ideas that are honestly tearing up the country apart.
00:08:04
Speaker
Yes. And that's been the that's been another layer of this. It's been tough to process. Right. Right. And Yeah, and and that's where, once again, just just the the freedom of love and and having love within within each other. Like, we should all love one another, not hate.
00:08:22
Speaker
And, you know, I think technology amplifies that. I have... I've seen, you know, people on my thread that I don't, don't agree with and that's fine. They, they have that right to do that.
00:08:33
Speaker
Um, and just cause I, I, you know, disagree with them doesn't mean I want them that, you know, so just keep that in mind as we're out there, you know, pass on love, not hate. And, you know, even if someone has, uh,
00:08:46
Speaker
has an opinion against you and it drives you nuts, talk to someone. I think that's the big thing that we're talking about here is communicate, talk and and just just you know get help if you can.
Dad Heroism at the Amusement Park
00:08:58
Speaker
So you know obviously technology fuels that and we'll talk about that because I think we're in kind of a weird state where even our kids are hearing about it and talking with a um You know, anyone from a 10 year old to a to five year old, you know, that that could be tough. So obviously, yeah, I mean, i don't know how you handle it in your house, Doug, but I mean, I I sat my kids down. I told them what happened because they're going to hear about it They're going to see ah talked about.
00:09:25
Speaker
And um I just like I said, I expressed to them like a man was killed today for speaking what he believed in. and i don't want you guys to ever feel like you can't voice your opinion and speak your mind. this is not OK.
00:09:39
Speaker
And if people are celebrating this, that is not right. yeah And I don't care what side of the aisle you're on That's not OK. Never. In any circumstance. Never. you know I agree. I agree.
00:09:51
Speaker
So, um you know, on ah I guess i guess said on a lighter note. um Lighten it up a little bit. light Lighten it up. Yeah, I know. You can all, laughter, comedies, the best medicine.
00:10:02
Speaker
You got to find something to take your attention off some of this stuff in the world today. But ah So we did a segment a couple of weeks ago and it seemed to be a hit. Super dad of the week. Super dad of the week. All right. So this week I found a story and I'm trying to keep this current events, too, you know. So ah just happened. and I saw it on the NBC Nightly News a couple weeks ago.
00:10:23
Speaker
a dad named John Samson. Samson. I want to say. Swimmy. Swamy. Samsonite. I was way off. Pretty sure it's John Sampson from ah Hershey, PA.
00:10:36
Speaker
um So and this event ah happened at Hershey Park, which is, I guess, is an amusement park up there. Pennsylvania, yeah. don't know if it's Hershey chocolate themed, I guess. Probably chocolate everything up there.
00:10:48
Speaker
Love it. Never been there, don't know. We're from the Midwest, so share with i This was crazy to me because I could totally see this happening with my kid because he is an amusement park nut.
00:11:00
Speaker
like five of the last vacations we've been on have been and around an amusement park. So in his younger age, I could see this happening. So, and it looked like a scene from ah superhero movie, honestly, like I could, I was waiting for Spider-Man to swoop in and grab this kid.
00:11:16
Speaker
it's so crazy. Toddler age, probably three or four year old kid. there's a monorail at this park, probably 20, what'd you say? 25 feet up? I would. Yeah. I mean, at least. Yeah. I mean, it was, it was pretty, pretty high up. And out of nowhere, these people notice a kid walking on the monorail track.
00:11:34
Speaker
Scary. So what does John Sampson do? He springs into action. This is not his child, but just dad instinct kicked in. He found a way to climb and shimmy up there and, uh, got the kid down to safety I saw the interview he was doing and he's like, the interviewer was like, how, how did you muster the courage and the strength to do this? And he's like, you know, I chalk it up to dad strength, honestly.
00:11:58
Speaker
Dad's strength. And, you know I'm sure you've had those moments where just adrenaline kicks in and like, yeah I got to take care of that kid right now, you know? So, yeah. um I don't know. It was a sight to see, made the headlines. And i think any of us dads out there would have done the same thing. So we shall salute to John from Hershey, PA. John from Hershey, PA. Ooh.
00:12:23
Speaker
Man, that that is such a crazy, crazy story. And and if you haven't seen it, just just look, you know, ah type in boy on Monero pretty much anywhere ah track and you'll see it.
00:12:36
Speaker
This boy is, I mean, there's no guardrails, there's no nothing. It's just up there. And the fact that this dad did that, especially for a kid that wasn't his, is just absolutely amazing. It just goes to show you, you know, I mean, we talk about <unk> you know humanity and and love for one another. And and that is just so, so cool.
00:12:57
Speaker
because he I still didn't see the part how the hell the kid got up there in the first place. I think... I think it was like, you know, like if you if you follow the monorail down, there was a station and and it was connected, but then it was kind of, you know, over. it just kind of went up, bridged over the the park a little bit.
00:13:14
Speaker
So I think it just kind of was kept on walking, which my son would totally do that too. Totally. That's why I could totally see this happening to myself and being in that guy's shoes. Totally.
00:13:25
Speaker
Cheers, that man. Apparently he wasn't in imminent danger. monorail wasn't running, i guess. But still that fall, if he would have fallen off that track would have been good. Yeah, it would have been would have been could have been deadly for sure. So hero of the day.
00:13:38
Speaker
I mean, absolutely amazing. So hats off to you for sure, man. um so yeah no that's that's such cool stuff and you know as you're as you're uh you know hearing some of the stuff posting comment uh you know nominate any dads out there we'd love to hear some of the cool stuff that's happening yeah uh and going on out there i had seen some some different comments and some different stuff there so we'll we'll uh we'll take some of that information especially if you want to nominate someone tag them um and yeah well yeah well the the last uh clip of that we did kind of was a big deal and and
00:14:11
Speaker
you know, our first viral moments on the internet, on YouTube. And a lot of people had different opinions about what we had to say. And it was kind of going and and back into technology, seeing the good and the bad of the internet, you know? Right.
00:14:25
Speaker
um Right. And I mean, yeah, and that was that was interesting as we were talking about it. You know, we have a little text thread going on for DadLiving and and, you know, I mean, it was a few hundred thousand views and yeah a lot of comments and shares. So we appreciate all you all that ah that engaged and then and then followed us and subscribed to us um on YouTube, which is awesome. So that was that was definitely cool. But it it's also once you see some of the comments out there and for any creator out there, really anyone. I mean, heck.
00:14:54
Speaker
We even have it on our like Oakville community page on Facebook. Just some of the comments that go on, it's it is a little bit scary as you're looking out there. yeah But I think too, it's um you know it's cool. it's a you know We're spreading the word. Now granted, it was it was regarding the Philly Karen, which...
00:15:12
Speaker
You know, people have different opinions. More divisive than I thought. But ah but yeah, that obviously that dad was ah was was just awesome with what he did. And he's going get rewarded and go in the World Series. And John, for you out there, you should ah at least get like a truckload of chocolate. I mean, that would be pretty. Lifetime pass to Hershey Park. Right. Something. That would be great. sal ah So hats off to you for sure.
00:15:35
Speaker
so Cool, man. um So yeah, and and as we segue, obviously, you know, now in kind of the mega main segment of of today, you know, the technology technology and how it ties in and what
When Should Kids Get Phones?
00:15:49
Speaker
we're doing. I mean, it's obviously anyone that has kits. And I think it's divisive when we talk about technology.
00:15:57
Speaker
whether you should get your kids a pad or phone. I know some friends that are in that conversation like, should we get our kids a phone? We're going through it. Yeah, yeah youre yeah yeah there you go.
00:16:08
Speaker
it is It is a tough world. And i mean, heck, with my parents out there, it was always the, um now this is dating myself. So some of you older folks out there, isn't it good?
00:16:19
Speaker
I mean, it was like, well, should we get ah our son a pager or not? I mean, and I remember- had a pager You never had a pager? Oh my God. i remember the day I got the pager, I think I was 12 or 13, but we were going to the movie theaters. Like it was it was so cool.
00:16:33
Speaker
And my mom basically said, when I'm on my way, I'm going to page you. And I saw that that phone number flash up and I was like, oh shoot, this Pager. And, of course, no one else paged it your belt make sure everybody saw it. Oh, dude. Heck yeah. That was that was the that was the, like, the hey, yeah, my badge of honor right here. it was my pager on my hip.
00:16:55
Speaker
I mean, for us, like, you know, an iPhone didn't come out until 08. Most people didn't start really getting one until a couple years later. i mean, I didn't get my first phone until I started driving, and it was a Nokia, you know. Yeah, you had the Nokia. Then we eventually got the flip phones, you know, and everything.
00:17:12
Speaker
See, i I started out with the flip phone. Yeah, that's right. I had an LG flip. Yeah. But so going through it in my household, just personally, you know, we we never rushed to give our kids iPads or anything like that.
00:17:27
Speaker
um We were very much like, hey, but because you you look around, you see other families with like the kids do not leave that iPad. Yeah. And they take it everywhere and they, they don't know what the word board means.
00:17:42
Speaker
Right. And, um, it's, yeah you know, you see how can, can just take over these kids brains. And, um, so we, we held off on that. You know, my kid, i gave we gave our kid a video game, um I guess, two Christmases ago. So he's seven.
00:17:58
Speaker
Okay. Nintendo Switch. And, um you know, we we very much protect the time on it. It's not like he's his free reign to play it all day long. um Maybe 30 minutes to an hour a day. Some days he doesn't even want it, you know? And it's like, it's not like that's all he's pining to do. Yeah, that's true.
00:18:15
Speaker
um But recently... My wife and I talked about like, you know, they're getting to the age where they want to like go down the street to a friend's house or like maybe they need to be alone at home for like five or 10 minutes while I'm coming home from work and my wife's going somewhere. Yeah.
00:18:31
Speaker
so we So she said, let's get like a another phone to be like the landline at home, you know. That's the popular thing right now. It's the yeah it's the the the cell phone, the home phone. so I guess I was expecting just like a basic flip phone with nothing on it. She came home with an iPhone.
00:18:50
Speaker
Oh, hey. i didn't think were getting our kids smartphones yet, you know? And so it's like very stripped down. There's nothing on it. You can get apps on it. So like we put a like a couple games on it for them, you know, if they want to play a ah video game on there. yeah But ah no surfing the internet, no social media apps on there, nothing right now.
00:19:11
Speaker
But I'm like, hey, they're going to figure out how to do it. Yeah, dude. we're rethinking if we want return it for something else, but. your your your kids Your kids are wicked smart, too. Yeah, I can totally, totally see them figuring that Well, Mike's talked about it before how his his sons figured out how to jailbreak their video game. Right. You know, whatever.
00:19:30
Speaker
Man, that's scary. See, i And I heard about like you can get like the what are they like disposable phones that just are kind of like bare.
00:19:42
Speaker
That's actually a pretty big trend to like right now with a lot of lot of families. I know no quite lot of people have done that. I'm just like that's kind of smart. I mean, yeah The fact that no houses have landlines anymore.
00:19:54
Speaker
I mean, i cut them out of this house. when My mom and dad still have one. Do do they? My parents got rid of theirs, which was a sad day. don't think anybody calls on them audit it except spammers, you know? Yeah.
00:20:06
Speaker
but um But yeah, man, i and that that is a good idea. Obviously, you know i've I've seen you know some of our neighbors who worked out early in the morning and their kids are still sleeping.
00:20:17
Speaker
They leave ah one of their phones there and you know that's fine if they're driving together and everything like that. But yeah, what if they both had to go separate ways and their kids had to be there? yeah um i think it's a smart idea to get just a basic phone now. Or just in case of emergency. You know right um you never know. but Yeah, yeah, I mean, yeah.
00:20:35
Speaker
But the studies are coming out now how damaging screens are for kids. And um i've I've seen this guy talk. He's got a book out called The the Anxious Generation. Yeah. Jonathan Haidt, I think.
00:20:48
Speaker
Yeah. um I think my wife used should to actually read the book right now, but. but And he a quote that stuck with me, he said, was we've overprotected our kids in the real world, but underprotected them on the Internet. Yeah.
00:21:03
Speaker
And it's like, yeah, you think back to when we were growing up. We were outside playing all the time. You know, yeah, we had video games, but, you know, we were outside touching, feeling nature, being with friends.
00:21:19
Speaker
And that's something that's gone away. Like you drive through neighborhoods now. You don't see as many kids out riding bikes or just a group of kids all together playing. Playing sports, doing some of those things. Yeah.
00:21:30
Speaker
And like where we live we live, there's not really any other kids our age on our streets. There's kids they're friends with in our neighborhood, but it's kind of like, well, I don't, I'm not ready to like let him walk five blocks down the street alone, you know? Yeah. We're starting to kind of test those waters.
00:21:47
Speaker
Yeah. You were talking about the bike riding couple blocks down and doing that stuff. Yeah. Yeah. But, you know, so what these screens have been doing to these kids, it's, It's terrible to think about just kids harming themselves, but the the rate of childhood suicide and kids harming themselves, especially like preteen, teenage age girls has skyrocketed by like 100%.
The Dark Side of Tech: Cyberbullying and AI
00:22:12
Speaker
And a lot of it ties back to technology and social media. Well, and i was I was watching this video kind of along the same lines as far as like bullying and cyberbullying.
00:22:23
Speaker
um A teacher, and I'll have to i'll have to post something, um did this awesome exercise where he he got his kids together, I think it was like fourth grade, and said, hey, what,
00:22:36
Speaker
you know, blank piece of paper, no name, no nothing, write down all the negative stuff that you've gotten either via phone or on the internet, like anything that you've you've seen online.
00:22:50
Speaker
And for fourth grade, I mean, God, what age is that? That's, ah well, my son just turned nine, he's at third grade. So that's nine, 10. 10 year olds on there and the stuff, I mean, it, it made me tear up a little bit just to see what, what these kids are going through.
00:23:07
Speaker
And this is, this is people don't have the nerve to say it to your face and, you know, kids, which I understand bullying is, is Not a good thing and and all that. But yeah, it's definitely one of those things that when it's cyber, just the the nasty stuff that they say is just unreal.
00:23:25
Speaker
And it's it's terrible. so Well, I mean, back in the day, think about like, you might have had a bully at school, but then you go home and you're away from them. It's out of sight, out of mind. Now that can follow them home if that kid knows how to find them, if they both have phones they're Facebook.
00:23:41
Speaker
facebook or yeah whatever um some of the stuff i've heard about like bullying through like twitch which kids play like you know how they play their games online and everything um so just think about being that age and it's it's everywhere yeah well and and even uh even some of the games not not minecraft i forgot what the other game is um but there was a lot of night or No, it wasn't Fortnite. It was another, another game. Um, um, make crap. Roblox.
00:24:12
Speaker
Huh? Roblox. Yes. Roblox. That there was, um, you know, some like hazing going on, some different stuff that was happening as far, you know, and even some, you know, sexual stuff going on for, for kids, which is just unreal.
00:24:26
Speaker
When my, I, I literally heard that. And I think from a, from a parent's standpoint, from a father's standpoint, you know, that the moment, we all get this where like they feel like their kids in the real world and you're trying to protect them.
00:24:40
Speaker
Um, it was that moment when she came home and it's like, Hey, can I download Roblox? And I was like, Oh my God, I just heard this in the news with all this, all this stuff. And I was like, no, that is not, not the game.
00:24:50
Speaker
Instead. i said, let's sit down and look through some of the options of Minecraft was, was, you know, obviously the gate, all those things. They don't let the conversation happen directly. And I was like, you can download Minecraft and you know, you're,
00:25:03
Speaker
I limit all my kids on on their technology too. Now granted, we started at an early age, so we see the the negative effects there, but um but we do we do limit. When you say you started at an early age, do you mean like they had tablets and stuff? They they had, we got, let me see, it was probably four and five.
00:25:22
Speaker
Yeah. and So earlier, which... which you know, I think when when we made that call, it was the the, like we felt like it was the right thing. And then the immediate, you get that zombie effect. They're just kind of, yeah they're in there.
00:25:38
Speaker
And immediately it's like, oh my God, I'm turning to take away their tablet. I'm turning those things. And lot of parents out there do it. So 100%. But it is like, I can see it and, um, it's tough, it's tough. And, you know, I think that is such a, that's such a negative thing, but you, do you, you remember back in the day when, when we all started getting, you know, computers and we had AOL, like the, the dial up and all that stuff. actually don't think we ever had AOL house. Oh, you did, you didn't? Oh my God.
00:26:11
Speaker
I remember the moment like it sucked me in and I became addicted, I would check that thing so many times by a messenger. um i would hop online, we play games, but it was always there.
00:26:24
Speaker
And I remember, you know, I knew I had a problem when I was trying to get on late at night to check it. My parents like strictly forbid it. So they'd be sleeping upstairs and I take that router. And for for anyone that doesn't know the sound of it, just Google AOL dial up. Yeah, you can just hide on your phone. right you'd They'd hear the dial up. Yeah, oh, I would i would take two pillows and shove it.
00:26:46
Speaker
But I mean, that's telling you, i mean, I was probably 12 or 13 at that time. Yeah. um And that was kind of the the start of the technology age that we're in which is crazy because, I mean, it was so limited what you could do, but I was so addicted to AIM stuff and all those things. And it's just amazing how quickly it's advanced. And i worry about just the world of AI now, what that's going to do to us and our children. And gosh, you know, uh,
00:27:17
Speaker
there's studies already coming out about AI that it's basically making us dumber, you know, and think about it. Like you don't, I mean, you don't have to do, go to library to do a research paper now, you know, it's all just spit out at your disposal. Yep.
00:27:32
Speaker
And, uh, You know, like ah just what's going to be the future for our kids where, you know, the last 20 years, everybody's been told, ah oh, you need to be a coder, you know?
00:27:42
Speaker
Yeah. And they're teaching coding and early in school now. And now you have coding. Now that's gone. Yeah. Well, and I think, too, there's still the still the input of, um you know, still having that person make that connection for now. But, yeah, I mean – Heck, I work in the world of digital marketing and our our developers are constantly utilizing ChatGPT for yeah um different code and language and API connections, which is insane.
00:28:08
Speaker
So I agree. And I think as we kind of get further down, it's going to evolve and change. It is 100% the future of everything that's gonna impact us. Even if you're out there right now and you don't think, like, I'm never gonna use ChatGPT or utilize this, just wait.
00:28:26
Speaker
It is coming and it's coming quick to a point where it is gonna, it's gonna shock us. And I've seen some of the ah world where, you know, change the voices and it'll even imitate people and do some of those things. And it's scary.
00:28:42
Speaker
It's scary to a point where I've even thought about it, how it affects my kids. Not only the positive, like i want I don't want to forget the positive because there's a lot of good, but just what negative things could happen.
00:28:58
Speaker
Yeah. that the And that that's crazy. i I heard this really disturbing story year or two ago um that a 13 or 14-year-old boy committed suicide because he was on an online relationship.
00:29:16
Speaker
with he thought it was a real person. It turned out to be an AI bot.
00:29:23
Speaker
Controlling his emotions and eventually telling him, yeah, you should just kill yourself. so I don't know what company you made that thing or where it came from, but that's, that's some, that's, that's some Terminator stream in Terminator, Terminator. I know every time I log into chat GPT, I've been using it more and more this year. and it's like, I'm just feeding the Skynet to come in and take over the machines are going to take over. You know, I feel like, i feel like you telling me that story. I just had like a Theo Vaughn moment in my head where I'm like, Oh my God, like,
00:29:55
Speaker
totally terminator situation. Like, like it's coming for us. And that's, I think when we look at all this, like technology as a whole and what impact it has on our kids, obviously it's going to change our generation drastically over the next 10, 20, 30 years. Like,
00:30:13
Speaker
And I think we we have a front front row seat to it. And I don't know whether that's good or bad in some cases, but we have seen kind of this technology and we've been in the front row seat for a lot of these things.
00:30:25
Speaker
my My thing as a father is, you know, we're we're taught to be the protectors and and all those things. And that's that's what scares the crap out of me, man. I am i am petrified to see what what the next wave comes in. I'm also excited, but I'm also scared. i And I think the unknown in a lot of cases makes that just, it scares the shit out of me. As parents, we just have to ask ourselves, like, do our needs really do our kids really need a smartphone?
00:30:58
Speaker
yeah I think a lot of parents, they don't want their kids to feel like they're you know missing out or being left behind. And they cave in, you know, well, Timmy down the street's got a, eight he Timmy's in third grade.
00:31:11
Speaker
Why do you need a smartphone? Yeah. You know? So. i agree. i I think it's just a, everybody's go to have a different opinion. Everybody's going to feel different than us or agree with us, but.
00:31:23
Speaker
At some point, you just have to say, is does it this benefit my kid? Do they need it? Does it have to be in our household? Yeah, I agree. you know agree. Well, and and I think too, I think a lot of parents out there, you're going to talk about it. You're going to have that conversation.
00:31:38
Speaker
you know, rightfully, like ah you said, with you and your wife, you know, I think it's, I think that's important to have that conversation and, you know, talk about the negatives. I'm, you know, talk about the positives and the negatives and, and come up with a solution there. And I think it's, it's okay, you know, to say no to your kids in those situations. They may hate you today. They may hate you tomorrow, but you're, you're protecting them and obviously doing something that is,
00:32:04
Speaker
You know, that like like I think ultimately not getting him in that situation where you know, heaven forbid they they get cyber bullied or, or ah you know, get pulled in a text thread. I've heard that a lot where you get pulled in this text threads and kids can be mean. um And i even i even saw it last week at an outdoor movie thing at my daughter's and son's elementary school.
00:32:30
Speaker
And all of these kids, like these fifth graders and fourth graders have phones. The stuff they were saying is just mean. And, you know, Um, that's tough. I mean, let's not lie. Like that, that stuff went on when we were kids for sure.
00:32:43
Speaker
And we just didn't have it. Like you could at least escape it for a short time back then. I agree. I agree. I agree. You know, uh, I think, man, I tell you what, like but I talked about it the last episode, we were on that camping trip with our family.
00:32:57
Speaker
It was the most enlightening thing to be off the grid and not have cell phone service just for 24 hours. Now my kids were even like, wow, this is, this is living. This is, don't have to worry about anything. And, um,
00:33:12
Speaker
Man, the older I get, I'm just like, man, I could just go live in a cabin in the woods and be off the grid and get away from all this stuff, you know? But um that's that's not the world we live in. Right, right. And we'll just have to keep on adapting. That's that's who we are. that's That's why we're human and what we do. It's just, you know, these things do some some wicked wicked stuff. Can't do anything without it.
00:33:34
Speaker
I know, right? That's probably the time we need to start wrapping this up. I know, right? Yeah, I'm getting i' getting some messages with the kids that are falling asleep, you on. But, but no, I think ultimately, as we talk about, like we just talked about a lot of different things, but you know, everything that's, that's, that's working in today's society, um just sit down and talk with your kids. Like ultimately i agree with you. I did the same thing. And I think it's impactful to teach him about these these, these things. And I tied it in, ah you know, my daughter knows Abraham Lincoln.
00:34:04
Speaker
So I tied it in with, with, with, with Abe and, and she got and she goes, okay, well, I feel, I feel horrible for that guy. And I'm like, totally get it. So when you, the whole Charlie Kirk thing and everything going on, you know, so have that conversation. I think you made a good point of just bringing this stuff in. Don't push it away.
00:34:25
Speaker
ah Cause your kids are constantly going to be exposed to it. um And it's going to happen quickly. I mean, news, news travels fast. So just talk about that. I mean, it's a tough conversation to have, but,
00:34:38
Speaker
the sooner that they realize like there is real evil in the world, you know, and not everything's always gonna be sunshine and rainbows and teaching them just how to, you know, in spite of all that, be, we want to be the light in the world. Yep.
00:34:54
Speaker
When you see somebody getting bullied, if you see somebody arguing over something that's, stupid, like just be the one to diffuse the situation and calm things down. Yeah.
00:35:05
Speaker
Be the bigger person and just, just think about how it impacts everyone and and love one another. And I think, you know, with, within the technology space to just, having having that that honest communication, don't don't just go out and buy a smartphone for your eight-year-old just because Susie down the road. i think, you know, if that is, that's your choice 100%.
00:35:28
Speaker
um But, you know, think about the long-term ramifications and what what it causes and and um and yeah. That's one thing that as far as protecting our kids, we have the power to control.
00:35:40
Speaker
Right. you know, and if you want to expose that to them or not, that's your choice. But, you know, we can control that. I agree. So, um so yeah, no, hopefully, yeah, hopefully, you know, this hit home with a lot of you listening.
Fostering a Supportive Dad Community
00:35:54
Speaker
And i think ultimately to, you know, give us a, give us a subscribe, drop your comments below, talk, let's, let's talk about these things. I think as a, as a community, as, as a fatherhood community, it's so important for us to support each other and love one another, despite your views, despite your technology, what you're doing for your kids. Like we're all here together and we're all here to work and support one another. So let's, let's promise to to go ahead and do that.
00:36:21
Speaker
Um, supporting dads, dad, supporting dads for sure. I'll give a quick shout out, uh, to my son. We just celebrated his ninth birthday last weekend. And, um, Boy, if you're ever watching this someday, I just hope you know how much you are loved in this world.
00:36:34
Speaker
right And you have a lot of people that love you. And yeah, we had a great time celebrating. so That's awesome. That's awesome. You're such a good dad. don't Don't ever forget that. thanks e You cleared out the schedule. You did a lot of stuff. I'm sure ah you know Jen probably did the same thing. But I think ultimately that's that's awesome. yeah You know, we spend an entire week, every minute dedicated to preparing for these parties. And then it's over like that.
00:36:59
Speaker
And you're like, wow, all that prep for, but but all that matters is he had a great birthday. He'll remember it for sure. yeah So, all right. Well, yeah. Don't forget, subscribe to us on YouTube, ah TikTok.
00:37:16
Speaker
Instagram, Facebook, Apple. yeah we haven't We haven't jumped on the the Amazon podcast train, but I started signing up. We'll get We'll get there. I promise you.
00:37:26
Speaker
But ah you know ultimately, love one another. Love you guys. And yeah, have a good day or night. Later. See y'all.