Raising kids in this ultra-modern digital world where everyone is connected through the internet is downright scary. All sorts of fears and anxieties arise, leaving most parents perplexed.
But of course, wallowing in your fears is a big no-no when you’re a parent. Rather than feeling afraid, you have to go ahead and learn everything you can about the online world and its complexities.
Here are the three simple yet important steps you can take as a parent when trying to navigate the challenges associated with today’s digital world.
1. Ask Questions and Communicate
You don’t just ask any questions. You need to ask the RIGHT questions. The answers to these questions will make it easier for you to handle your child’s internet usage and digital exposure.
- Do you allow your kids to have personal devices? Where are they allowed to use them?
- Are the locations on your kids’ devices disabled or enabled?
- Do you use parental controls or can they use the internet freely?
- What is their allowed screen time per day?
- What will you do if you’re not happy with their search history?
- What happens if they encounter inappropriate content online?
- What kind of online activities are they allowed to do? Is it Google searches? Social media? YouTube? Gaming? Music videos? TV and movies? Chat-enabled sites?
- What websites can they access?
- Where do they keep their devices during bedtime?
These questions will help clarify the values of your family and serve as your guide in crafting a plan to navigate the digital realm. They will also encourage intentional answers that you can implement continuously in the future. You can also adjust your plan to suit your current situation.
Now, if your kids raise concerns about these questions, let them speak their thoughts. After that, take time to reassess everything once again. Think of it as a continuous and never-ending learning process for both you and your kids. They get to learn how to make wise decisions, how to follow due process and understand that their opinion also matters, and it matters a lot.
Remember that the world changes quickly, and the online world is no exception. Instead of watching cartoons, kids spend more time on YouTube videos. They also look for something only to find a completely different thing.
This is where communication plays a big part. Make sure you teach them to always tell you when things like this happen, what they saw, and identify what they searched for.
Avoid overreacting because even you probably had several searches gone wrong. Asking questions and open communication should always be your top priority. Again, continue to discuss, learn, and protect your kids at all costs.
2. Designate Screen Time and Monitor Their Activities Accordingly
It’s often better to start with shorter screen time and lengthen it along the way instead of giving your kids more screen time only to reign it in later on. If your kids are quite young, weekdays should be screen-free and screens must also be given as a treat for the weekend. Once they get older, you can set time blocks for homework and for personal screen time.
Since you want to keep tabs on what your kids are doing online, see to it that devices are only accessible in public spots around the house. Gadgets should be off-limits behind closed doors or in bedrooms. Also, if they instantly close whatever they’re doing if you try to take a look, assume that they are up to no good and inform them of the consequences.
3. Put It in Black and White and Set Consequences
This final step might sound a bit extreme but yes, having a contract with your kids can teach them a lot of things that they can continue to use as they become adults. If you allow your children to have devices, preparing a family contract ensures that everything is in black and white.
One point you can add to the contract is the random device checking whenever you decide to with no complaints from them. If they complain, the contract should also state that they will lose their device. Also, if the search history is cleared, they will be disciplined because it violates the contract.
Of course, kids will be kids and they are human so they can’t get everything right every single time. They also struggle with things just like adults so never expect perfection from them. But if they do stray from your rules regarding tech use, make sure they are aware of the consequences.
Talk to them about these. Remind them of your family values. Once they apologize and you know that they are ready, allow them to use their devices again hoping that next time, they will make wiser decisions.
The Bottom Line
The digital world is no easy world. It’s filled with all sorts of challenges that even the most tech-savvy parents won’t be able to handle without any guidance. The good news is that with just a few steps, you can deal with these difficulties and make it easier for both you and your kids to navigate the ever-growing complex internet-driven world.
