As technology goes, my father was what today is known as an “early adopter,” and back in the early ’80s we had a computer in our house much earlier than many of my classmates. I credit that experience with giving me a fundamental comfort level with new technology, which can be intimidating and befuddling to some folks from preceding, pre-computer generations. At the same time, though, I already find myself worrying about the dizzying array of technology that will inevitably surround my children throughout their lives. With the new generation of mobile devices, users can access almost anything, anytime, anywhere. That’s a far cry from the three TV-channel choices I had growing up (cable was one area my dad was obstinately behind the times). Sometimes I wish I could carve out a quieter, simpler world for them to grown up in. But nowadays the Internet can be accessed from even the remotest corner of the planet.

Given this brave, new world, parents are sure to appreciate the New York Times’ (sorry I cite it so much but it’s so good) guide for choosing age-appropriate mobile devices. It provides information on a slew of devices and suggests for what age they might be appropriate. In the end, these are the tools of the modern age and we, as parents, are obligated to teach our kids how to use them responsibly (which, by the way, means we have to learn them, too).

I recently took the time (20 minutes) to watch “The Story of Stuff,” an indictment of our unsustainable habits of consumption, and am eager to see this video expand its already impressive (6 million views) reach. In May, The New York Times did an article about how the video by environmental activist video Annie Leonard was being embraced by teachers around the country.

“Many educators say the video is a boon to teachers as they struggle to address the gap in what textbooks say about the environment and what science has revealed in recent years,” the article reads.

The illustrations and simple language put the sustainability dilemma into terms that kids and adults alike can really get their heads around. It’s a great educational tool for a generation that is being bombarded with marketing messages of frighting sophistication. (Might I also recommend, for younger children, Dr. Suess’ “The Lorax”?)

Obviously, one basic way we can conserve resources is recycling. I find the complexity and limitations of our recycling system consternating. The city is looking at building a new center and will take citizen input at a meeting scheduled for at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in City Council chambers, 949 East Second Ave. Maybe some young people out there would like to show up and make their opinions heard, too.

On this Earth Day I can’t help but think about my first encounter as a young child with the concept of environmentalism. Of course I didn’t know that’s what it was when I watched the animated film version of Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” on TV back in the ’70s. (I recently re-watched it online with my son and was chagrined to observe that it was, in my estimation, overly influenced by the aesthetic of the era and had not aged nearly as well as the original Grinch movie). The tale remains the finest I know for instilling in children the concept that our planet’s resources are precious and finite. The obligation to be a good steward of the environment never weighed so heavily on me as it did after having children. It can be overwhelming and disheartening to contemplate the enormity of the task of trying to not only stop the degradation of our planet, but to improve its condition. But for my children’s sake, I know resignation is not an option. Because, as The Lorax teaches us, “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

One fun and delicious way to make a difference is to involve your children in growing their own food. I recently wrote about the proliferation of community gardens in the Durango area.  Food activist Michael Pollan, author of “In Defese of Food,” wrote in an article today that, thanks to the World War II victory gardens, “by the time the war ended, home gardeners were producing 40 percent of the United States’ produce.” Imagine what a difference it would make if we could replicate that today. Besides, what is more fun to young children than digging in the dirt?

To learn more about community gardens in the area, contact the The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado. And the La Plata County Extension Office is great resource for backyard gardeners.

This is National TV Turn-off Week and Park Elementary School celebrated by throwing an old set (sans tube) off the roof. Ever since I saw the photo I’ve had the Red Hot Chili Peppers song “Throw away your television” going through my head (great tune, btw).

We were pretty rigorous about following the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation against regular TV viewing for children younger than 2. But once my son discovered “Dora the Explorer” it was all over. Other programs followed. His current obsession is “Cars” (which I actually find an exceedingly watchable movie. Thank you, Pixar). In short, I can see how easy it is for time in front of the tube to creep up. I admit I worry less than I did as a new parent that TV — any TV — is going to rot his brain. Like everything in life, I think it a matter of degrees. The AAP offers some useful guidelines on kids and TV.

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