Tech Execs Reveal Parenting Philosophies

Leading figures in the technology sector have disclosed how they manage parenting responsibilities within their households. Executives from OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft have shared specific philosophies regarding screen time, education, and household chores. Common themes include limiting technology access for children while utilizing AI tools for assistance, enforcing responsibilities, and prioritizing critical thinking skills. The approaches range from allowing young children to use power tools to strictly regulating television consumption.

Some technology leaders are integrating artificial intelligence directly into their child-rearing routines. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated that he "cannot imagine" raising a newborn without the help of ChatGPT. He uses the technology to answer questions about developmental milestones, such as why his child was not crawling at a certain age. Altman also expressed a specific preference for the Cradlewise crib, which costs nearly $2,000 and features gentle bouncing and built-in monitoring.

Altman noted that while his baby "will never be smarter than AI," the child will be "more capable." However, he told the Senate that he does not want his child to form a best-friend-like bond with an AI bot. He also emphasized the practical need for "a lot of burp rags."

In a different approach to resourcefulness, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos allowed his children to use "sharp knives" starting at age four and power tools by age seven or eight. Bezos attributed this method to his then-wife, MacKenzie Scott, who prioritized having a resourceful child over one with nine fingers. Bezos described this attitude as "fantastic."

Mark Zuckerberg of Meta focuses on early education and responsibility. He believes the "most important thing" for children is learning to think critically and establishing values young. This philosophy extends to his hiring practices, valuing individuals who can master one thing deeply. Regarding materialism, Zuckerberg recounted taking his seven-year-old daughter to a Taylor Swift concert and explaining that being a superstar was not "available" to her, a move a therapist later commended as encouraging authenticity.

Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, ensure their children have chores and responsibilities. They also take the children to the office to show how they contribute to society. While he allows video calls with relatives, he generally opposes keeping children "parked in front of a television or computer for a long period of time."

Bill Gates utilized a model called the "Love and Logic" approach, developed in the 1970s. This philosophy focuses on maintaining emotional control and minimizing reactions like shouting. Gates aimed to prevent his children from being spoiled, striking a balance between freedom and financial responsibility. He famously forbade phones at the dinner table and waited until his children were 14 to provide them. In 2025, Gates revealed he is giving his children less than 1% of his wealth, stating, "I want to give them a chance to have their own earnings and success be significant."

Strict screen time limits are a recurring theme. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel limited his then-seven-year-old to one and a half hours of screen time per week. He argues that parents must lead by example and limit their own usage. By 2025, Spiegel was glad his children were growing up with digital tools, but his wife, Miranda Kerr, noted that their 14-year-old is not allowed phones or computers in the bedroom after 9:30 PM.

Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian also regulates technology heavily. He and his wife, Serena Williams, want their daughter to "know what it's like to have limits on tech" and to experience boredom. Ohanian does use AI to enhance his daughter's creativity, such as turning her pencil sketches into full-color illustrations, but he prioritizes time with blocks and toys.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai admitted to using his company's technology to help with homework. He uses Google Lens to solve math problems for his son, noting that the class allows it. Pichai previously limited his son's TV use and noted in 2018 that his 11-year-old did not have a phone.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella limits the types of video games and websites his children can view and receives reports on their computer activity. His parenting is influenced by his own parents, who let him set his own pace. Nadella also credits raising a son with cerebral palsy with teaching him the importance of empathy.

Beyond rules and technology, some executives focus on family bonding. Alexis Ohanian adopted a Sunday tradition from his own upbringing: making breakfast for the family. He prioritizes making pancakes and putting away distractions to be present with his family.

Satya Nadella and his wife, Anu, believe children should have dogs. They argue that a dog provides a "different sense of companionship and responsibility" and an emotional connection, as there is a being waiting for the child to return home.