6 Tips for Raising Kids in the Digital Age
April 17, 2022
As parents, you often hear about the dangers of raising kids in the digital age. There is the risk of too much screen time or the overuse of digital devices in children. But at every turn, there seems to be some type of digital device. From the cell phone in your hand, the television in an office lobby, the GPS in your car, and maybe even a tablet issued by your child’s school. There seems to be no way to escape.
In some cases, these devices make raising kids easier than it was for parents of previous generations (hello, online grocery ordering and diaper delivery subscriptions). Despite modern conveniences, some may argue that raising in the digital age is more difficult thanks to the wild, wild internet and social media. If you’re struggling to figure out how much is too much when it comes to your child’s digital device usage, here are some helpful tips:
1. Create a family media plan
Start by creating boundaries so that your child is aware of what is okay and what isn’t. Sit down and create a family media plan as a family that everyone can agree to. By defining these parameters, you can limit any grey area and have a clear guide of what to enforce. Not sure where to start? The American Academy of Pediatrics has a great resource on their website HealthyChildren.org.
2. Designate technology-free zones
Part of your family media plan should include establishing “technology-free zones” in your house. Areas to consider include the dining room to help improve family communication and connection at mealtimes, and bedrooms so as not to interfere with healthy sleep habits. Monitoring your child’s media usage is impossible if devices are allowed in their bedrooms. If you only designate one technology-free zone, the bedroom is it. Children or teens should not have a TV, video game console, computer, or mobile devices like a cell phone or tablet in their rooms.
3. Educate yourself
There are currently more than 2 million apps in the iTunes app store alone, and an average of more than 6,000 apps are released through the Google Play Store each day for Android users. While it can be difficult to keep up, it’s important for parents to educate themselves on the latest trends. This includes mobile apps or the latest social media challenge (#TidePodChallenge). You can’t educate your children about the risks of social media and digital devices if you don’t first understand them yourself.
4. Use parental controls
Monitor what your children are watching on TV and what they’re doing online by taking advantage of parental control features. After all, that’s what they were made for. For cell phones, there’s even an app called ReplyASAP that can lock your kids’ phones until they respond to your text.
5. Know your child’s passwords
As a stipulation of your child having the privilege of social media, online accounts, and mobile devices, know your child’s passwords. Let them know that you have the right to monitor their activity at any time and define the consequences if they violate your trust. Screen time is a privilege, not something children are entitled to, so make sure you treat it as such.
6. Schedule a digital detox
Similar to technology-free zones, schedule time on your family’s calendar for a digital detox. Maybe it’s one day each week, one weekend a month, or between certain hours of the day. The entire family can benefit from taking time to unplug and reconnect.
Getting the entire family unit involved is the best chance for success when raising kids in the digital age. When everyone feels as though they’ve had input, not only does it open the lines of communication but it fosters a sense of ownership. After your family has decided which healthy habits they would benefit most from, schedule a time on the calendar for a monthly or quarterly check-in to hold everyone accountable. Remember, new habits aren’t formed overnight, but little by little, a little becomes a lot, so take it one day at a time.