Digital technology today is here to stay. It can enhance society’s quality of life, but it can also present a darker side – from cyberbullying and online predators to screen addiction.
While parents cannot shield their children from the inevitability of digitalisation, here are some ways to guide them through this modern technological age.
1. Advocate media literacy
In an era of countless mixed messages from the media, parents must teach their young ones how to filter, evaluate, and consume media responsibly. Begin by keeping abreast of the latest technological developments. Be aware of the apps, websites, and programmes your child frequently uses.
Understanding the content your kids are exposed to is key to helping them control it.
Always engage your kids in dialogue. When viewing a movie or a social media post together, some questions to encourage your child to think critically might include:
- Who created this, and why do you think they did so?
- What message is this trying to convey, and to whom? Is this message positive or negative?
- Do you think this message is credible or believable? Does it present a balanced or one-sided view? Why do you think so?
- How did this message make you feel?
- Do you think others might agree or disagree with you? Why do you think that?
2. Be a media mentor
Don’t just monitor your kids’ online usage – mentor them through it, too. Be an active partner in your child’s digital life, and find opportunities to interact, play and co-learn with your child.
Share a funny YouTube video with them, discover new music together, or challenge them to a video game as you bond over a friendly battle. Who says screen time has to be alone time?
Make sure to regularly speak to your children about internet safety. As they increase in age, so does their risk of exposure to digital predators and other online threats. It is vital to educate them from an early age about online safety and etiquette, and the importance of maintaining privacy.
With tweens and teens, in particular, explain the consequences of inappropriate online behaviour. Outline the fact that shared content is never truly deletable. Kids need to understand that the dissemination of sensitive content such as personal information, sexts, private photographs, or inflammatory messages may jeopardise future job prospects.
More crucially, they could also be exploited by sex offenders or cybercrime opportunists.
3. Use the digital world to your advantage – but stop ‘sharenting’
There has been a marked increase in parental engagement with the digital world, which can be a key tool to help you brush up on your skills as mums and dads. Many parents have found supportive communities by making social connections with fellow parents online, or by accessing invaluable expert information.
A word of caution to the digitally savvy parent, however: it’s understandable to want to share your, and your kids’, lives on social media, but pause before Instagramming that adorable shot of your streaking son and understand that your children have a right to their privacy, too.
Remember to always respect your kids’ autonomy and lead by example. If you want your child to grasp the concept of not revealing too much personal information online, or to cultivate a culture of respectful behaviour, think twice before “sharenting”.
Seeking your kids’ permission before posting their photos online is a valuable way of teaching them to extend that same courtesy to others.
4. Start a conversation and help your children discover their voice
Many kids today would proudly call themselves “woke”, but do they really understand what it means? One of your key responsibilities as digital parents is to use social media to open your children’s eyes to greater issues of social justice and activism.
Encouragingly, a recent study by UK media regulator Ofcom revealed an increase in 2019 in children supporting organisations or social causes on social media. It also found that one out of 10 kids aged 12 to 15 had signed an online petition over the last year, dubbing this “The Greta Effect”, after Swedish climate-change activist Greta Thunberg.
Parents can help by engaging their kids in important discussions. Educate them about prominent hashtag movements on Twitter, from #MeToo’s solidarity against sexual harassment to Thunberg’s clarion call against #ClimateChange.
Introduce them to inspiring young individuals who are using social media to make a difference. Find out about what issues personally speak to your kids, and get them moving in the right direction.
5. Unplug
Parents, don’t forget to strengthen your connection – and not just the kind that involves WiFi. Make time for your family by consciously engaging in real-world activities and offline interaction.
Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors with your kids, involve them in exciting adventures, and encourage them to develop hobbies and interests outside of the digital sphere. Doing so will help them appreciate that the real world is equally, if not more, exciting than the online world they often inhabit.
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This article was written by Kimberly Lee for makchic, a Malaysian-based online site for chic, curious, and spirited parents. makchic and has been providing trustworthy and authentic family-related content since 2013. For diverse stories of parenthood that inform, support, and uplift all families, visit makchic.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.