Generally, children are physically safer than ever before; but are increasingly living lives online that contribute to social isolation. Limiting our children's media diet is an important first step. Connecting with them in meaningful ways can help them develop the tools they need in the 3D world. Some tips for helping you navigate the modern technological landscape:
Summary and links to research:
- Have a clearly communicated family philosophy (in general AND about technology's role in your life)
- Rituals, rules, and routines will create a sense of safety, stability and connection in your child's life
- Connect, play and have fun together as a family both on and off screens
- Reconnect and disconnect in nature as much as possible
- Use techniques from Positive Parenting in settling conflicts - - - "Democratic" parenting styles tend to raise the most resilient children
- Don't be a hypocrite - make time to disconnect from tech so your kids see you as an example
- If possible...Wait Until Eighth (take the pledge!) before introducing smart phones and social media
Summary and links to research:
- Kids today spend a significant amount of time on screens: Teens, Social Media and Technology, Pew Research Center 2018 http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/
- Kids are physically safer than ever before, but not emotionally: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017 https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index.htm
- The more time they spend on screens, the more grim the statistics on health and wellbeing: The National Survey of Children’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016-2017 http://www.childhealthdata.org/learn-about-the-nsch/NSCH
- Screens activate the dopamine reward pathway: Video Game Addiction, National Institutes of Health, 2017 https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/video-game-addiction-is-it-real
- Too much time on screens seems to limit executive function. Improve your child’s cognitive strength by:
- Making sure they are getting adequate, quality sleep
- Getting enough physical activity
- Encouraging them to play games
- Limiting screens to no more than two hours each day
- Kids on screens lose the benefit of boredom. Boredom benefits kids by:
- Sparking creativity
- Allowing time for self-reflection and the assimilation of experience
- Making kids more observant of their surroundings
- Increasing connectivity between task positive and task negative networks
- Connecting online is important, but too much can hinder social skills.
- As in all aspects of parenting, setting healthy limits in important:
- RULES: In order to be effective, rules should reflect the intention to keep your child safe, your family values, and should reflect respect and appreciation of your child’s input.
- CONSIDERATIONS
- When are screens allowed?
- Where are screens allowed?
- What type of content is permissible?
- How much is enough (total time vs hours of operation)?
- STRATEGIES:
- Family Media Agreements and Device Contracts (see below)
- Management Tools
- Software programs: https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346997,00.asp)
- Smart phone controls: https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/342731/the-best-parental-control-apps-for-your-phone
- Things you should consider...
- Monitor Browsing History: Parents should be aware of the online activities done by kids including the websites they visit and content they get access to.
- Monitor Social Media Activities: Social media platforms are not safe for kids as they find themselves susceptible to cyberbullying, predators and various other threats on these sites. Parents must monitor the social media activities of kids in order to know what they are up to and keep them safe.
- Block Applications:Not all applications are good for kids, but they do not understand this, which is why parents must block those applications that contain inappropriate content or are not good for kids.
- Block Inappropriate Websites: Internet is full of explicit content. Since these things are just a click away from kids, parents better be careful.
- Log SMS/MMS:With SMS/MMS logging feature, parents can read every text and view every multimedia file sent and received by the kid.
- Has User-Friendly Interface: Majority of the parents have limited technical know-how, making it difficult for them to get maximum benefit from parental control software.
- Manage Device Usage Time: With efficient parental control software, parents can limit the use of laptop and mobile phones not only during weekdays, but also on weekends.
- Track Location: Parents cannot accompany kids everywhere they go, but they can keep track of their location in order to help them in case of any emergency.
- Supported Platforms: Good parental monitoring software not only supports Windows or Mac PCs and laptops, but also different mobile platforms like iOS and Android.
- Other ideas: “Dumb phones;” charging station in central location; no screens in bedrooms; physically locking devices during off hours...or opt out completely!
- Check first before allowing: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
- Specific to Smartphones: https://www.waituntil8th.org
The Family Tool Kit
Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Curriculum
Cyber-bullying: A parents guide
- Family Media Agreement
- Personal Device Contract
- Digital Glossary
- Parental Control Programs
- Family Conversation Guides
Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Curriculum
- Relationships and Communication
- Privacy and Security
- Online Safety
- Digital Drama
- Digital Footprint
- Information Literacy
Cyber-bullying: A parents guide
- Breathe!
- Show empathy
- Find your allies
- Be proactive
- Empower your kids
- For more information on Bullying and Relational Aggression CLICK HERE