Informed by information.
We all influence and get influenced by others. Some like to downplay how influenceable they are; however even the ideas of the most independent thinkers will be informed, shaped and even curated by the information they digest.
Children are especially susceptible to influence. What they read, see, and hear shapes the way they think, feel, and react to the world around them.
Misinformation, disinformation, lies, propaganda, and extreme ideologies are not new to our modern age — they’ve probably existed since humans came to be.
What is unique about our day is how pervasive and ferocious these things are. A radical or false idea had a much harder time spreading in 1925. But in 2025, because of the democratization of technology, and its increasing ease of use, almost anyone can create content and immediately commence disseminating it — this of course is wonderful when what is being created is true, beautiful, or elevating.
But with no restrictions or restraints to slow down or verify content that’s created before being published, we find so much content that is misleading, deliberately false, or radical. We also find content that’s created to inflame our negative emotions and spark division.
It’s true that you can find some good things on social media and the internet; but you have to wade through a lot of danger to retrieve it.
This is why I’m choosing to protect my family by not allowing social media or unlimited, unmonitored, and unrestricted access to screens, gaming, or the internet in my home. Childhood is a precious and precarious period of human development that must be shielded from unnecessary assaults upon their minds and soul.
Childhood should be characterized by exploring the real world through experiences, books, and relationships; this is the childhood I’m trying to provide for my children. I’d love more fathers to join me so it didn’t feel like such a lonely journey.
Matthew
Founder, DADS™— Dads Against Devices™
Our pledge.
I will lead my family — by example and instruction — to be present, build relationships, strengthen the body, and nurture the deeply human attributes of love, communication, empathy, kindness, gratitude, humility, forgiveness, critical thinking, imagination, discipline, patience, integrity, resilience, courage, wisdom, and faith. To protect my family, I will not allow social media or unlimited, unmonitored, and unrestricted access to screens, gaming, or the internet in my home, nor will I provide personal smartphones to my children until they demonstrate the maturity to use them responsibly.