Do Tech Bosses Really Ban Their Kids From Screens?
- The White Hatter
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
For years, some have promoted the idea that Silicon Valley executives keep their own children away from the very technology they create. The myth usually points to one example, the Waldorf School of the Peninsula in California, a private school with about 300 students that limits screen use. Headlines often highlight that “tech leaders send their kids to tech free schools,” feeding the idea that if they don’t trust technology, why should we? (1)
It’s a powerful narrative, but it’s not true. Last year reporter Damien Leloup published and article titled. “No, tech bosses don't ban their kids from using screens” (2) He also found that, “The vast majority of tech executives choose the region's well funded public high schools, where screens are very much authorized.
When you look past the myths, you’ll see that tech executives parent much like the rest of us. They don’t ban technology altogether. Instead, they set rules and boundaries:
Bill Gates insisted on no smartphones at the dinner table.
Jony Ive (Apple’s design lead) allowed iPads but only under parental supervision.
Susan Wojcicki (YouTube’s former CEO) let her children have phones around age 11, but with clear limits.
Mark Zuckerberg and Sundar Pichai have spoken publicly about guiding their children’s use of screens, not forbidding it.
The only often cited exception is Steve Jobs, who reportedly restricted iPad use at home. But focusing on one high-profile anecdote is misleading. Most leaders in tech take a moderation-over-prohibition approach.
The “tech bosses ban screens” story sticks because it feels dramatic and confirms existing fears. It’s easy to share on social media or use in political debates about banning or restricting devices in schools. But this selective storytelling distorts reality and creates unnecessary fear.
The lesson here isn’t that we should ban screens altogether. Instead, we can learn from how tech parents handle the challenge:
Right tech and the right time and development for your child
Set family rules: Meals, bedtime, and homework hours are good screen-free times.
Be intentional: It’s not just about how much time is spent on devices, but what kind of activities kids are engaged in.
Model the behaviour: Kids watch us closely. If we set down our phones during family time, it speaks louder than rules.
Talk about it: Keep conversations open about why limits exist and how technology can be both useful and distracting.
It is clear from Damien Leloup’s published article that the majority of tech bosses don’t ban their kids from screens. Instead, they do what many families are already doing; guiding, supervising, and teaching balance. That’s a far healthier message for our kids than myths built on fear.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
References:
