Let’s face it: modern-day children are growing up in a digital world. This means that as a parent, you have a big role to play in teaching your essential digital skills that will help them navigate the intricate digital realm.
However, you can only do so much to safeguard and protect your kids every time they go online. To make things easier, the following are some practical tips to navigate the digital landscape in a more meaningful way this 2024:
Establish Tech-Free Zones
One of the first things parents can do is to start at home by designating screen-free zones around the house. Good examples are the bedroom and the dining table.
Just so you know, devices can disrupt sleeping patterns and affect sleep quality. Having their phones or tablets near them will only tempt your child to reach for the gadgets even after bedtime.
All members of the family, on the other hand, should learn how to respect mealtime, and part of this is putting the devices down while eating.
See to it that everyone in the family understands what they should do and not do in these tech-free zones to keep it uniform and fair.
Go Through Installed Apps
Since you’re using app stores yourself, chances are you’ve encountered some so-called educational apps. However, how many of these educational apps truly cater to the learning needs of your child?
The same thing applies to the phrase age-appropriate when the truth is that the app isn’t even suitable for kids below 10 years old at all.
This is the very reason why you need to check and scrutinize every single app before you install it on the devices of your kids.
For older kids and teens, you can also consider modifying the permissions on their devices so that only the apps you approve of will be allowed. There are plenty of online apps and tools to help you with this.
When you see something suspicious, talk to your kid about the reasons why they can’t use that app or delay its use until they’re old enough to understand.
It’s also important to diversify the installed apps on their gadgets. While it’s okay to have some educational games, apps like story time, flashcards, dictionaries, and others are also important.
Keep in mind that these apps should never serve as a replacement for actual and real-world learning experiences. You can
Schedule Playtime
When it’s time for your child to be away from their device, see to it that you have prepared some offline activities for them. Don’t worry because these activities don’t have to be structured. It’s highly recommended to have some stimulating and spontaneous play activities.
Ask your kids what they want to do during their unplugged playtime. Remember that playtime is helpful for very young kids. Children aged two and below shouldn’t have any screen time at all.
Similarly, gadgets must never be used as emotional pacifiers for older children who are throwing tantrums. Doing so tends to have too damaging effects, especially when your kid becomes too used to getting everything they want in exchange for staying quiet and calming down.
There are still plenty of ways to help children channel their strong or intense emotions. Encourage them to practice breathing exercises, talk to them at eye level, and encourage them to share their feelings and why.
Make Privacy Your Priority
Both young and old kids should learn about the essence of privacy and how this will be jeopardized the moment they share too much information online.
Parents should specifically warn teens that everything they share online, including photos, will be accessible for the rest of their lives.
Teach them to avoid private chat rooms, delete or ignore suspicious chat, email, or text messages, and never share pictures, GIFs, and memes if they’re unsure about their integrity.
The last thing you want is for your child to be too busy browsing online, consuming misinformation, and sharing articles that turn out to be fake news.
Having said this, it’s extremely important to openly communicate with your kid. This way, they will know what they can and cannot share online, and the best thing to do if they stumble upon skeptical details. Make them feel assured that you will always be there to listen to them and that you are willing to guide them on how to address these issues correctly.
Join Your Child’s Screen Time
Screen time doesn’t always mean that kids should use their gadgets on their own. You might want to play with them or ask them about their favorite gaming apps and why. This encourages learning even for you because you will also be aware of whatever your kid is doing online.
It’s also an excellent bonding activity at the same time. For example, playing the same game together will help you understand why your child loves that game so much. It’s also your opportunity to show and teach them sportsmanship and gaming etiquette, both of which are somewhat tricky to understand if there is no good role model.
Aside from games, you should also know about the shows they love to binge-watch. Consider sharing your personal childhood experiences with them while watching familiar scenes. It’s a great way to tell your kid that you are concerned about their digital interest.
Wrapping It Up
This 2024, it’s important for parents to learn how to navigate the digital landscape to ensure the safety and protection of their kids at all times.
