My children see the world through a digital lense, and I sometimes notice this in their language. When we take a short break from playing together, they say, “Let’s pause it.” Alex begs me to play a “two-player game” (translation: board game). A sentence crossed out in Andy’s homework becomes “deleted.” One of the first words Alex could read was “next.” (Too much software installation.)

My first inclination was to feel guilty about this: I’ve let them get too immersed. But then I reconsidered. For middle-aged adults, technology is a tool. You reach out and pick it up. For kids, technology is fully integrated. No reaching necessary. It’s evolution, 2008-style.