We are delighted to introduce to our blog a new series of personal reflections from Sam Lee, Managing Director of Screen Sanity. Sam joined the Screen Sanity leadership team a few months ago and we are so eager for him to share his journey into digital health and wellbeing, learnings and thoughts as our Managing Director, a Father of three busy children, Husband, friend and all-around awesome human. Welcome to Sam’s Spotlight!
Hello all!
I am Screen Sanity’s new Managing Director, and it’s an honor to help families raise kids who are captivated by life, not screens. It’s a hard task, but I am excited to be part of the cause. But my hardest job is being a parent of two middle school kids and one elementary school kiddo and living out our own values as a family—technology becoming a bigger influence and barrier.
After I found out that I was going to work at Screen Sanity, I glided into my kitchen where my family was getting ready for a meal, and I broke the news to my kids. Expecting a few congratulations, I was disappointed when my 8th grade daughter asked, “So does this mean I have to get rid of my phone now?” I knew she was joking after she gave me a hug, but she had real questions about what might change in our house. I had the same questions too.
In my new role and as a parent, one of my biggest fears is being a bit hypocritical when it comes to my own technology habits and choices. How can I help remind others of certain dangers of social media, but doom scroll myself to sleep? Or what about the choices I let my kids make? It was only a few days ago that my 3rd grader watched K-pop Demon Hunters for the 7th time. Could that be healthy?
Fortunately, so far, I have learned a lot about how families have different values and how technology can help uphold and threaten those values. It can be a complicated web. I plan to chronicle my technology journeys with my kids to be a companion to the content we provide as an organization. As an organization we believe group discussion should be judgment-free, and so I hope as you follow my journey you will afford me some grace as well. Because it could very well be that I’ve watched K-pop Demon Hunter a few times as well and pumped out “Golden” in our slow moving minivan at my “kid’s request.” It has always been at their request. 🙂
Until next time, keep looking up,
Sam
