Alexis Ohanian is well known as an innovative businessperson; but what sets him apart as a parent is the extraordinary work he puts into being a father. Dubbed ‘Business Dad,’ Ohanian makes fatherhood into an art form for both himself and his children by actively creating memorable experiences and even culinary masterpieces for his family – not simply present but actively engaged! However, among all this fun he takes an authoritative stance against one aspect of modern parenting: internet usage.
Ohanian recently discussed with author and podcaster Jay Shetty how he intends to introduce Olympia, 7 years old at the time, to digital life. Though one of the minds behind Reddit he advocates taking an incremental approach when exposing children online – encouraging curiosity rather than blanket exposure as his parenting philosophy.
Ohanian explained, “My wife and I try to elevate our conversations with our daughter, encouraging her to delve deeper with questions like ‘what,’ ‘why,’ and ‘how.’ Our talks about the internet have been minimal and highly supervised.” Currently, Olympia’s online activity is restricted to playing Roblox under parental or close supervision, positioning the internet as a space of limited yet enjoyable engagement.
He emphasized a deliberate delay in introducing social media to her life, acknowledging that while Olympia has social media accounts, they are managed by her parents. “We’re strategic about photo sharing, aiming to preserve her autonomy and understanding of social media,” he stated. This approach aligns with Ohanian’s broader desire to wait until his daughters can navigate online interactions responsibly.
This careful approach stems from Ohanian’s dual identity as both a tech entrepreneur and a protective father. His perspectives on internet safety and children’s exposure to social media are shaped by first-hand insights into the digital landscape. Similarly, Serena Williams, in her conversations on the INBOUND podcast, echoed these sentiments, expressing a cautious stance toward digital platforms and the influence they wield over children. Together, they aim to foster a balanced and thoughtful introduction to the digital world for Olympia, emphasizing real-world experiences and interactions.
Inside Alexis Ohanian’s Parenting Philosophy
Ohanian’s devotion to his family is clear; fatherhood has had an undeniable effect on both his outlook and values. His participatory parenting approach encompasses firm boundaries regarding technology use while at the same time showing deep care in nurturing his children’s development. Speaking on his podcast Business Dad, Ohanian explained “I prefer engaging in meaningful dialogues rather than speaking directly at my children” He sees each phase of her development as an opportunity to understand her evolving view on life.
Ohanian continues to navigate the complex challenges associated with parenting in an internet era with care, offering wisdom about combining technological progress with age-old values like curiosity, dialogue, and understanding.