December 10th, 2025
There is a meeting this afternoon for caregivers of kindergarteners at our grandson’s school. The topic is “Media and the Effect on Child Development”. My wife and I have thought a lot about the subject. We try to limit Asher’s screen time. It is a struggle to do so. He loves to watch YouTube videos, and he would watch them all day if we let him. We don’t. He gets no time online during the school week, and only a couple hours of it on the weekend. Sometimes, it is very tempting for us to allow the screen to act as a babysitter for Asher, especially if we are busy with other things. If Asher is not watching videos, then he is demanding our immediate attention. That can be exhausting.
The subject makes me remember our vain efforts to keep our own children away from the TV a generation ago. In some ways it was the same fight. Back then, Karin and I simply refused to even own a television. We were absolute Luddites about it. People offered to give us a set, and we wouldn’t take it. Needless to say, out three kids nagged us incessantly about not having a television in the house. We held fast, but they slowly wore us down.
I can recall one evening when I was lying in bed reading a book. Our eldest son, Hans, had his bedroom next to mine. That night, as I was reading, I heard strange voices emanating from Hans’ room. I chose to investigate. His door was closed. I went inside anyway.
Hans was staring at his Gameboy (does anybody remember what a Gameboy was?). He had somehow converted it into a miniature TV. It had a makeshift antenna and a microscopic screen. I admired his initiative and ingenuity. However, I felt bad that he needed to watch his shows in such a furtive way. It was like I was a member of the Stasi who had suddenly discovered that his teenage son was secretly watching programs on the BBC during the Cold War days. I let him watch his show.
Eventually, we bought a television. I think it was as bribe to get our daughter to clean her room (she did it once). We tried to fight the good fight, but I am not sure our efforts had much effect.
I don’t watch anything on online anymore. I find it nearly impossible to function in a room where there is a television playing. My attention is irresistibly attracted to the glowing screen. Movies are the worst. After watching a video, especially with intense scenes, I suffer an emotional hangover. I used to like watching films, but now they always feel overwhelming to me. I avoid all types of motion pictures.
So, I read.
Frank is Emptiness 