January 2018
Parenting in the digital world can be tricky. I often hear students share how excited they are about their new digital devices. I also hear parents express their worry about the potential harms of their child's digital device. Most parents' primary goals are to help their children avoid the harms of the digital world and reap the benefits of using technology.
In this blog, I want to offer you support. I will share resources to help you parent in the digital world. Here are a few resources I have found recently:
Seven Steps to Good Digital Parenting from the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
As you look at the resource, you'll notice that number one to being a good digital parent is talking with your kids. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do when we are full of fear or anger or simply feel like we do not have the time, but talking with our children about their technology use is critical in helping them avoid harms and reap benefits.
The second tip is to educate yourself. Search apps and sites your child enjoys. Find out the harms and benefits of the apps and sites. Simple searches like "Snapchat safe for kids" can provide some great insight. (Here's one of the top hits for that search.) If you'd like to learn more about parenting in the digital world, check out the Family Online Safety Institute website. It has many great resources for parents.
Sara DeWitt's TED Talk titled 3 Fears about Screen Time for Kids
Dewitt's 3rd fear about screen time for kids is that technology is isolating children from their parents. Although her example is about a young child, the concept is applicable to all children. Talking about your child's media is powerful and helps your child reap the benefits of technology. Schedule time to talk about your child's media every day. Create an open and honest environment that allows you to communicate your values.
Talk often. Initiate the conversation. Simply just asking what they are working on is a great start. Some other good talk points include: responsibility online, protecting personal information, internet scams, and cyberbullying. More information on all of those topics in future blog posts.
Parenting in the digital world can be tricky, but ultimately, the more we can guide our children the better the journey can be for all of us. My daughter loves to watch Youtube videos. My first reaction is that the videos she chooses are junk, but then I have to remember that there is a reason she likes them. We now have a deal that she talks to me about how the videos inspired her. Many conversations have led to how she would create her own videos. We're taking something as simple as watching a Youtube video and turning it into a learning experience. During the conversations, I can also sense if she watched something I wouldn't permit, and we talk about that as well. Talk to your child. Simple, right? Sometimes those conversations are very tricky yet so important.
Please send me questions or share resources you have found that are helpful. The more we work together to help guide our children, the more our children will benefit.
Thank you for your time.
Parenting in the digital world can be tricky. I often hear students share how excited they are about their new digital devices. I also hear parents express their worry about the potential harms of their child's digital device. Most parents' primary goals are to help their children avoid the harms of the digital world and reap the benefits of using technology.
In this blog, I want to offer you support. I will share resources to help you parent in the digital world. Here are a few resources I have found recently:
Seven Steps to Good Digital Parenting from the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
As you look at the resource, you'll notice that number one to being a good digital parent is talking with your kids. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do when we are full of fear or anger or simply feel like we do not have the time, but talking with our children about their technology use is critical in helping them avoid harms and reap benefits.
The second tip is to educate yourself. Search apps and sites your child enjoys. Find out the harms and benefits of the apps and sites. Simple searches like "Snapchat safe for kids" can provide some great insight. (Here's one of the top hits for that search.) If you'd like to learn more about parenting in the digital world, check out the Family Online Safety Institute website. It has many great resources for parents.
Sara DeWitt's TED Talk titled 3 Fears about Screen Time for Kids
Dewitt's 3rd fear about screen time for kids is that technology is isolating children from their parents. Although her example is about a young child, the concept is applicable to all children. Talking about your child's media is powerful and helps your child reap the benefits of technology. Schedule time to talk about your child's media every day. Create an open and honest environment that allows you to communicate your values.
Talk often. Initiate the conversation. Simply just asking what they are working on is a great start. Some other good talk points include: responsibility online, protecting personal information, internet scams, and cyberbullying. More information on all of those topics in future blog posts.
Parenting in the digital world can be tricky, but ultimately, the more we can guide our children the better the journey can be for all of us. My daughter loves to watch Youtube videos. My first reaction is that the videos she chooses are junk, but then I have to remember that there is a reason she likes them. We now have a deal that she talks to me about how the videos inspired her. Many conversations have led to how she would create her own videos. We're taking something as simple as watching a Youtube video and turning it into a learning experience. During the conversations, I can also sense if she watched something I wouldn't permit, and we talk about that as well. Talk to your child. Simple, right? Sometimes those conversations are very tricky yet so important.
Please send me questions or share resources you have found that are helpful. The more we work together to help guide our children, the more our children will benefit.
Thank you for your time.