With the increasing presence of digital technology in our daily lives, smartphones, tablets, computers and social media have become an integral part of children’s lifestyles. Therefore, raising children in a digital world is a challenge for many parents today. While the use of electronic devices brings many opportunities, it is also associated with risks, such as exposing children to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, Internet addiction and increasing isolation from other human beings. This article presents several useful tips that can be applied to help parents raise children in a digital world, balancing the advantages and disadvantages of this approach.
1. Setting Limits
One of the most common concerns parents have about children’s dependence on technology is the amount of time they spend on screens. Therefore, it is advisable to discourage screen time by limiting it quantitatively. For children between the ages of 2 and 5, no more than one hour of screen time per day is recommended, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Older children should also be given appropriate control, depending on compensatory non-digital activities. Scheduling can help improve control over screen time. To increase concentration on other subjects, it is possible to allow children to use devices later, after schoolwork or other essential responsibilities.
2. Promote the Conscious and Critical Use of Technology
Children and teenagers are naturally curious, and the internet offers a vast array of information at the click of a button. However, it is essential to teach them to consume content in a critical and conscious manner. Teaching your children to check the veracity of information, question data sources, and see all sides of a given topic is essential in the digital world. Furthermore, by promoting the use of educational platforms, such as documentaries, podcasts, learning games, and interactive tools, it is possible to transform screen time into an opportunity for intellectual growth. Technology works as an ally in the development of skills and new learning when used constructively.
3. Be an Example for Your Children
Children mirror their parents. If they are constantly exposed to parents glued to their smartphones during meals and conversations, they will most likely assume this behavior is correct. Therefore, it is essential to be an example to your children and balance their use of technology. Keeping devices away from the dinner table, not using them during moments of positive interaction, and promoting technology-free times are all practices that help to demonstrate healthy habits. Children who see their parents valuing personal interaction and disconnected moments tend to model themselves accordingly.
4. Create a Supervised and Safe Internet Environment
The Internet can be both an environment for learning and entertainment, as well as a threat to children, with inappropriate content, scams, risk of identity theft and cyberbullying. Therefore, creating an environment focused on safety is essential.
One effective practice is to ensure that digital devices are kept out of reach in shared areas of the home, such as the living room or kitchen, and not to allow children to access their devices in their own bedrooms without supervision. This should make it easier to keep track of what they are accessing and who they are discussing online. Additionally, it is helpful to use parental control tools to restrict access to certain websites and apps, and even monitor screen time and block inappropriate content. In addition, parents should talk openly with their children about the potential dangers of the internet. Explaining what online privacy is, what a secure password is, and why it should not be shared with strangers is critical to building a safe online foundation. Creating an environment where children can openly disclose their online activities without judgment allows parents to know what is going on before something bad happens and to be able to guide them.
5. Encourage Offline Activities
It is equally important that technology not be the only source of entertainment and education for children. It is essential that they participate in other activities, such as sports, arts, music, reading, and outdoor recreation. These are essential ways to promote social and emotional development, as well as provide hands-on learning that technology cannot replace. Children and young people should be encouraged in these areas, and family activities, such as trips to museums, shared reading, or board games, are a way to show that the world outside the screen is just as exciting. Non-technology-related activities strengthen family relationships and provide opportunities to teach other skills, such as compassion, communication, and balance.
6. Teach the Importance of Balance
Balance is a key word when it comes to parenting in the digital world. Technology is part of life and should not be seen as an enemy. If used in moderation and responsibly, it can be extremely beneficial. Teach your children the importance of balancing screen time with offline time. Parents can create a “digital diet” with their children, including in their schedule the amount of time that can be spent on screens each week and the amount of time for non-digital activities. For example, screen time should be interspersed with leisure activities, study time, and time to spend with family.
7. Stay Up to Date on New Technologies
Technology is constantly evolving, and for many parents, this can be intimidating. However, it is essential that parents stay up-to-date on the platforms they use, as well as the social media platforms and popular games. Keeping an eye on their child’s technology journey will not only keep parents informed about the risks and benefits of the platforms, but it will also help them bond more closely with their children. Taking an interest in their child’s digital activities can help to have an open discussion and advise them on healthy technology practices.
8. Watch for Signs of Digital Addiction
Digital addiction is shockingly common in modern life. So if your child shows signs of being too dependent on devices, such as irritability when they’re not on their devices, distraction from other activities, and restricted social contact with other children, it’s time to take action.
This is not to say that parents should become vigilantes who monitor their children’s every move. Still, it is essential to keep a critical eye on behavior and, if necessary, impose strict rules or even seek professional help when electronics use truly threatens emotional and social development.
9. Talk Openly About the Digital World
Last but not least, talking to your children about what it means to use the digital world is essential. This doesn’t mean completely restricting your children’s access to technology, but understanding them, listening to their concerns and difficult questions, having an open conversation about unpredictable topics, and working through them together. There are healthy ways for your children to master the use of technology, and it’s this complex balance that parents must strike. Digital is not the enemy of creativity and healthy development; the enemy is the lack of physical time, human interaction, and all the important activities that digital tries to replace.
The goal is not to stop children from navigating the digital world; it is to help them navigate it efficiently.
