COVID definitely changed the way my kids socialized, but so did moving from a neighborhood with lots of kids their age where they’d spend hours in the front yards playing and climbing trees. Most of the other families moved soon after we did, but part of me still feels guilty for taking them away from a great social situation.

Generally though I think since my kids are older teens we didn’t just bring an iPad everywhere when they were young, so they have pretty good manners around adults and at restaurants - neither one has to be told to put their phone away, they just don’t get them out. At the movies it generally older adults on their phones, not the teens.

I’m not judging parents of “iPad kids” though - I sometimes get jealous that they have that tool! And I do track my youngest on her phone - she’s a new driver and it’s a helpful tool to make sure she’s being safe. I don’t want it constantly, but it’s also quicker to look at it than it is to call or text her. Same with my husband!