Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple and creator of tech gadgets like iPhone, iPad and Mac, had a strict rule about children's screen time at home. In an interview with New York Times' tech reporter Nick Bilton in late 2010, Jobs made a surprising revelation about his kids' exposure to technology. Ahead of the much-anticipated release of iPad, Jobs said his kids, two girls and a son, had not even tried out the tablet.
"So, your kids must love the iPad?" Bilton asked Jobs as the first generation of iPad was just hitting the shelves. Bilton was shocked into silence when Jobs responded. "They haven't used it," Jobs said. "We limit how much technology our kids use at home."
Jobs was not the only tech guru to limit the use of tech gadgets for the children; Bilton has listed more than a few examples who followed the same mantra. Chris Anderson, the chief executive of 3D Robotics, a drone-making company, has learnt the hazards of technology and restricts use of advanced tech gadgets at home.
Lesley Gold, founder and chief executive of the SutherlandGold Group, a tech media relations and analytics company, also has strict no-screen time during school days for her two kids.
After Jobs died in October 2011 due to pancreatic cancer, Bilton approached Walter Isaacson, the author of "Steve Jobs," to learn more about Jobs' parenting.
"Every evening Steve made a point of having dinner at the big long table in their kitchen, discussing books and history and a variety of things," Isaacson said. "No one ever pulled out an iPad or computer. The kids did not seem addicted at all to devices."
