Children should be allowed to get bored (2013)

Value of boredom

• Many see boredom as a normal human state and a key driver of curiosity, creativity, and self-directed play.
• Boredom is compared to hunger: uncomfortable but motivating; the problem is how easy it is now to numb it instantly.
• Several parents report that once kids push through a “complainy” phase, they switch into highly imaginative play (Lego, drawing, inventing games, storytelling).
• Some frame boredom as a privilege: if you’re bored, you’re not cold, hungry, or in danger.

Screens and constant stimulation

• Consensus that phones, tablets, streaming, and games make boredom harder to reach; some say “allowing” boredom effectively means actively blocking devices.
• Parents describe nuanced attempts: permitting coding tools but not YouTube, or specific games but not recommendation feeds, and finding platforms actively work against healthy limits.
• Others argue simply saying “no” is feasible, though many parents counter it’s emotionally and practically hard.
• Debate over how much marketing drives kids’ desire for devices vs. peer imitation and seeing adults’ tech use.

Parenting challenges and boundaries

• Some children demand rationales for limits; “because I said so” rarely works.
• Pre-planned limits (e.g., fixed TV episodes) are seen as more successful than ad‑hoc “one more” negotiations.
• Overscheduling (tutors, sports, lessons every day) is criticized for leaving no unstructured time; yet many such parents believe they’re optimizing their kids’ futures.

Risk, safety, and unsupervised play

• Numerous nostalgic stories of unsupervised, risky childhood activities (construction sites, train tracks, storm drains) viewed by some as formative, teaching boundaries and risk.
• Others push back, citing broken bones, fatal accidents, and survivorship bias; argue you can teach resilience without extreme danger.
• Sought middle ground: not helicoptering, but “programming the environment” so boredom happens in safer, stimulating settings.

Boredom, reflection, and mental health

• Several connect constant stimulation to burnout, anxiety, and inability to sit quietly or self-reflect.
• Opinions diverge on whether quiet reflection reliably reduces stress; some report benefits, others note it can initially worsen anxiety or depression.

Adults and the attention economy

• Many note “it’s not just kids”: adults also avoid boredom via endless feeds.
• Some intentionally disconnect (vacations without connectivity, chatting with strangers, staring out windows) and find it restorative, though returning to highly online work can feel demotivating.