Naming and the Technology Conversation

Laozi taught that naming affects reality—what we name, we can understand; what remains unnamed, we cannot address. In technology debates, vague anxieties dominate: 'screens are bad,' 'technology is addictive,' 'kids today are different.' But unexamined naming prevents genuine understanding. Clear naming requires specificity: which specific apps use which engagement tactics? How exactly does infinite scroll affect decision-making? What psychological vulnerabilities do algorithms target? When parents and children name technology's mechanisms—how notifications hijack attention, how social validation loops create anxiety, how algorithms optimize for engagement rather than wellbeing—demystification occurs. Children suddenly understand that their urge to check apps isn't personal failure but predictable response to designed systems. This clarity creates agency: understanding why something happens makes changing behavior possible. Teaching children to name their own experiences—'I feel anxious when comparing my life to others' posts'—combines Taoist directness with psychological awareness. Rather than moralizing about technology, naming invites collaborative problem-solving. A family naming together—'This platform uses FOMO to keep us engaged'—creates shared understanding where rule-enforcement creates resistance. Naming becomes a practice of growing wisdom together, not adult correction of childhood ignorance.