Sam Altman Says Kids Don’t Need iPads, Recommends This Instead

It’s funny how perspective changes once life throws something new your way. For Sam Altman, that shift came with parenthood. The tech leader, who has spent years shaping the future of artificial intelligence, is now thinking a lot more about something much simpler: how kids should grow up. In a recent interaction, OpenAI CEO shared that becoming a parent has reshaped his views on children and technology. And his takeaway isn’t what you might expect from someone at the forefront of AI.A Shift In PerspectiveAltman admitted that his earlier views on kids and screens were quite different. Like many in tech, he didn’t see a huge problem with early exposure to devices. But now, things feel a bit more personal. Instead of using an iPad, he’d much rather

see his child outside. Literally outside. Getting messy, exploring, figuring things out the old-school way. His now widely shared comment about wanting his son to “play in the dirt” sums it up perfectly.It’s less about rejecting technology and more about rethinking when and how it should come into the picture.Why Real-World Play Still MattersThere’s something about unstructured play that no app can replicate. Running around, touching things, and making up games on the spot, it all adds up. Altman pointed out that these kinds of experiences help build curiosity, coordination, and even social skills. And honestly, it makes sense. A child figuring out how to stack stones or chase a ball is learning in ways that don’t come with instructions or notifications.Not Anti-Tech, Just More CarefulTo be clear, Altman isn’t anti-technology. He hasn’t dismissed devices entirely. But his approach now leans toward moderation, especially in the early years. He seems to be drawing a line between using tech as a tool and letting it take over too soon. That middle ground, where kids still get to be kids first, is where he’s placing his bet.