"Digital parenting" is a relatively new term that we’ve been hearing about. Most of us know that the goal is to somehow educate our children in the use of technology, especially if your girl child is tech-savvy. But exactly how we're supposed to do that remains a bit blurry.
And that's not surprising. Most of us grew up in a completely different technological age, devoid of social media, multiplayer games, video streaming, or cyberbullying. Some of us even remember the good times of the slow yet musical dial-up connection. But with the internet access becoming more of a habit with ease of connectivity increasing, digital parenting has evolved into a key method of keeping your children safe, especially if you have a girl child.
Digital parenting, a couple of years back, meant taking kids off the phone so you could send an email. In today's world, even in the classroom (in fact, especially in the classroom), our children are connected 24 hours a day, making the distinction between online and offline less and less significant.
Although digital parenting is an evolving concept, there are some basic guidelines that have emerged for the safety of your tech-savvy girl child. Here are five tips you should remember. However, it must be noted that while it is essential to keep an eye out on how your girl child is browsing the internet, she must be given the freedom to research about her topics of interests, instead of completely blocking access.
1. Have The Talk
To begin with, this is absolutely the most significant thing you can do to keep your children cheerful, sound and well-adjusted on the web. Progressive, open-end discussions concerning what your children (and their friends) are doing on the web are as important today as keeping up to date with their activities online
You can examine risks and dangers with them – indeed, you ought to. However, don't get too negative while having these discussions. Be certain you're in contact with the upsides as well: the fun and learning online. Also, ensure to listen twice as much as you talk. You'll be flabbergasted by the amount you'll learn from your girl child.
2. Learn, Learn, Learn
It's not sufficient to surrender and pronounce you don't care for the internet and have no interest in it. That is reasonable because you may be able to survive without it to a large extent due to your own upbringing—though even that is doubtful in this day and age of online work and work from home. However, it is the world your kids are always in, it is the only reality they have known - this is the water they swim in. You owe it to them to find out more about that world.
Make it a habit to search out news about web-based patterns and the most recent games and applications. Converse with other parents and your children's educators. Ask your own youngsters for help in understanding how it all works. Observe as they play a game or connect via web-based media.
3. Parental Controls
Every digital expert on the planet makes this suggestion, and they do it for good reason. Permitting your children to go free roaming on the web essentially isn't mindful parenting.
As soon as you put a gadget in their grasp, you ought to have solid controls set up to hinder improper material and assist you with dealing with their screen-time.
4. Ground Rules
The experts all concur: a comprehensive contract (verbal or, far better, recorded as a hard copy) is fundamental for effective digital parenting. You should be totally clear with regards to what is and isn't relied upon as time on the web, passwords, sleep times, downloads, in-application buys, and streaming.
5. Be A Good Role Model
Do you browse your messages during meal times? Look at the odd text while driving? React to notifications while your girl child is attempting to address you? We've all been there every now and then. In any case, truly, if your own gadget use is out of control, you are demonstrating conduct that your youngster will more likely than not imitate. With regards to digital parenting, be the change you need to see.
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