Whether we like it or not, children are “growing as techie” so it’s important to help them understand the healthy approach of digital use and society. Parents should be the ones who teach these concepts to their children.
Be a great role model.
Parents should be the role model of goodness and the right to conduct online. Since children mimic what their guardians are doing, set limits on your media use. you’ll be more connected and available for your kids if you’re playing, interacting and hugging them instead of staring at the screen and browsing the web.
Enforce limits and promote playtime.
The use of gadgets, like all other activities, must have fair limits. Physical and offline exercises promote creativity among children. Make classic playtime a priority, especially for young kids.
Create your household media use plan.
Technology must work for you and in your household values and style of parenting. When gadgets are used appropriately, they can help improve a family’s daily life. But when they are abused, technology can replace many important events like family time, direct interaction, exercise, outdoor play, sleep and free time.
Value Face-To-Face Interaction.
Young kids are able to learn best through mutual communication. Being in face to face “talk time” is essential for language advancement. Talks can be in many different forms. Research showed that “back-and-forth communication effectively improves language skills than a one-way conversation with a screen.
Kids will always be kids.
Children will make faults using technology. Try to deal with mistakes with compassion and transform an error into a teachable event. But some misdeeds, like bullying, sexting or posting self-damage pictures, maybe a warning signal of a problem ahead. They must monitor cautiously their kid’s attitude and, if necessary, enroll encouraging professional support, like a family pediatrician.
Consider technology as you would any other situation in your kid’s life.
The same childcare rules work in both real and digital settings. Parents must impose rule, children need and wait for them. Parents must be aware of who the friends of their kids are, both online and offline. Know what software, platforms, and apps they are using, the social media sites they are always checking out and the activities they are doing online.
Screen time must not always be solo time.
Co-play, co-view, and co-engage with your kids when they’re using media. This promotes learning, affection, and social interactions. Enjoy video games with your children. It’s a perfect way to show great sportsmanship and playing etiquette. Don’t just watch them online but instead communicate with them, so you can learn what they are up to and be part of that.
Create technology-free zones.
Make your family meals, children’s bedrooms, social and other family gatherings screen-free. If no one is watching the television, turn it off because TV noise can interrupt face-to-face time and conversation with kids. Gadgets and smart devices must be recharged outside your kids’ room to avoid the desire to use them when they should be in bed and sleeping. These practices foster healthier family time, good eating habits and improved sleep.
Don’t use media as an emotional friend.
Technology can be a great way to keep children calm and peaceful, however, it shouldn’t be the only approach they know to relax. Kids need to be trained on how to distinguish and deal with strong reactions, settle down through inhaling, create activities to cope with boredom, discussing techniques to resolve the problem, and discovering other approaches for controlling emotions.
Inform kids about the gravity of privacy and the risks of sexting and predators.
Young teens must understand that once a photo or content is shared online, they cannot remove or delete it completely. They may not familiar or choose not to use the privacy settings as well. They must be cautioned the sex offenders and perpetrators frequently use social media sites, e-mails, chat rooms and online gaming sites to communicate and manipulate children.
Apps for children – choose the best for your kids. Around 80,000 technology apps are categorized as informative, but little study has shown their real value. Products marketed as “interactive” must necessitate more than “pressing and swiping.” Check the companies like Common Sense Media for detailed assessments about age-suitable apps, online games, and software to direct you in choosing the best for your children.
Minimize digital media use for the youngest member of the family.
Avoid the use of technology for babies younger than 2 years old other than video chatting. For children 18-24 months, monitor technology media with them because they gain from watching and chatting with you. Restrict media use for kindergarten children of 2 to 5 years old, to just 1 hour per day of quality shows. Co-viewing is the best way for young children. They become more attentive and interested when they are -schooled in the actual world that they just discovered through the monitor. So, if Jennie just learned the letter H, you could repeat this later when you’re spending time with your kid or when you’re having a conversation at dinner.
It’s OKAY for your teenager to be spending time online.
Online interactions are part of normal teenage growth. Social networking can encourage teenagers as they discover and learn more about themselves and their position in the modern world. Just make sure that your teenager is acting properly in both the true and virtual worlds. Many youths need to be advised that a program’s security settings don’t make things “personal” and that photos, reflections, and actions teens distribute online will immediately become a part of their online imprint forever. You must keep your lines of communication always open and let them understand you’re readily available if they have issues or troubles.
Technology, media, and smart devices are an essential aspect of our modern world today. The advantages of these innovations, if used fairly and properly, can be useful. However, a study has demonstrated that direct communication and time with family, friends, and educators play a crucial and even more vital part in encouraging children’s education and solid development. Make it a habit to maintain the face-to-face interaction, and don’t allow the stream of technology to overtake it.
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