12 Useful Tips for Parenting in the Age of Digital Technology

Technology is integral to the lives of virtually every person living in this era, including the ever-growing number of children worldwide. It has affected the way and manner we get things done, enhanced business interactions, healthcare, entertainment, education, and the list continues. Parenting in the digital age of technology can be quite a challenge!

Innovation in technology will keep improving our lives and ensure that more efficient and productive work is done. Kids of this era are born into this world, and it plays a huge role in their development and growth.

Kids grow up with the knowledge of gadgets such as computers, smartphones, TVs, and ultimately, the internet.

Communication technology plays a massive role in the development of globalization, including money, labor, connecting persons across the world, fostering relationships, as well as the exploitation and the enrichment of lives. It has also contributed to the risk society and affected our personal lives in numerous ways.

When are most children exposed to screens?

Children are exposed from a very early age to using technological devices. These devices include smartphones, tablets, computers, and television. The Erikson Institute reports that the average age lies at six years.

How many hours does the average child spend in front of screens?

The average child further spends about eight hours in front of an electronic screen according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this goes as far as to show the level of interaction between children and technology.

The primary responsibility of any parent is to guide their children through life. As a parent living in this digital era, you have a huge role to play in helping your kids make the most use of the technologies made available to them.

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What are the benefits of screen time for children?

It is undeniable that there are certain benefits attached to digital technology in the development and growth of children. A prime example of such benefit is learning.

What are the dangers of too much screen time for children?

Still, the dangers associated with an unrestrained use are still prevalent. They include sleep deprivation, addiction, impaired learning, obesity, and the inability to relate socially to mention a few.

So, what exactly can you do as a parent? This article outlines 12 tips for parenting in the digital age of technology to help break your child’s addiction to their devices. It also outlines strategies and preventions to help you regulate your children’s use of these technologies.

Strategies and Prevention: 12 Tips for Parenting in the Digital Age

Parenting in the digital age requires several measures to get the very best for children. Some of the strategies outlined have mitigated the negative impact of technology on children.

These prevention tips will go a long way in setting your children up to habits that will deter them from their devices. Twelve simple tips that you have to consider include:

#1 Do not let their gadgets babysit for you

It is a common practice for parents to give their children handheld gadgets to help comfort them when they are crying or experience feelings of discomfort. In the long term, this short-term solution is not in the best interest of the child. It only goes on to teach the child that the only solution to obtain what they desire is technology.

Also, they will view crying and throwing tantrums as a means to get their way to their gadgets whenever they want it. As a parent, you have to be very careful about the message you pass across to your children. Teach them ways to react to their feelings.

Encourage them to hang out with friends when they feel bored and breathe when tensed. Just make sure you are not driving them to become technology addicts.

#2 Say Yes to Physical activities

Addiction to the use of gadgets leads to a sedentary lifestyle that paves the way for obesity and other illnesses. This fact only increases the importance of motivating your children to engage in active lifestyles and partake in physical tasks. One way you can do this is to take the lead.

When they see you lead by example, they are more likely to follow suit. Also, encourage them to participate in sporting activities. The numerous health benefits of sport include strong social-bonds as well as the development of their self-esteem. Your children will only stand to gain from these.

#3 Learn something different

As a parent, you have to help your kids learn new things. This will go a long way in engaging them; hence, keep them busy. Adopt an action-based approach to learning.

This involves paying attention to their interests and paving the way for them to engage in the things that appeal to them. Such action-based learning also involves interacting and socializing with other individuals as well. This way, their talents, and skills can develop fully.

You do not have to force them to engage in an activity they would not want to involve in. Therefore, if your child is fascinated with singing, you need to look out for a music class to help develop the talent. You can help build any other interest of your child, and it will go a long way in minimizing the use of digital technologies as well.

#4 Limit their use of fun gadgets

You do not have to prohibit your kids from using their gadgets to prove your point. Regardless, you must limit the amount of time they spend using them. Research has shown that a 2 hours limit on the time spent using their devices is best.

It further suggests that a schedule should be agreed upon that shows the days when they can get access to their gadgets. When you put these arrangements in place, your children will further learn and appreciate the value of the time available at their disposal.

#5 Communicate at all time

Communicating with your children is an integral aspect of their development. Lack of proper communication compels children to resort to their devices to keep them company.

As a parent, you have to communicate effectively with your children to keep them company and make them happy. They will not seek happiness from gadgets if they have someone around to relate and share stories as well as knowledge. This is a great way for parenting in the digital age of technology.

#6 Make use of good lighting

To ensure that your children maintain proper health, encourage them to make use of their devices under good lighting. Adequate lighting is to protect the eye-nerve from damage, which may lead to further sight impairment.

Encourage the use of natural lighting when their gadgets are used. Brightness auto-mode feature is a great tool to enable the phone to adjust automatically under different conditions, which is quite useful for external use.

#7 The 20/20/20 Rule

It is vital that you teach your children the 20/20/20 rule. Everyone should adopt this rule. The rule suggests that for every 20 minutes spent using a digital device such as smartphones, computers, playing video games, the child should need to take a 20 minutes break.

In this period, the child should focus on any object placed away at a 20-feet distance for twenty seconds. Eye doctors suggest that if a child has viewed a screen to relax their eyes and retain moisture from gazing for a long duration.

#8 Ensure they get the most of their sleep

One of the pitfalls associated with excessive use of digital technologies is the deprivation of sleep. Melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep, is suppressed by the lights and radiations emitted by mobile gadgets and computers. Not getting enough melatonin is very harmful to the health of your children.

It requires quick action, and you have to enforce an early bedtime, 9 pm preferably to ensure they make the most of the night sleeping. You also have to make sure that their gadgets and toys are far from their sleeping areas. Ensuring that your children get their sleep would help both their physical and mental development.

#9 Give reasons and outline consequences

Good communication involves giving them reasons for the decisions you are taking. You have to be frank with them and explain all the dangers associated with the excessive use of digital devices. Your kids should be adequately informed on all the hazards and risks attached to being glued to their gadgets over a long period.

As you try to communicate and relate the dangers to them, make sure to be firm. Stand by the facts you present, and do not budge on your decisions. Be careful not to exaggerate things, if possible, show them sources with effects to help them see reasons with you. This is an important tip for parenting in the digital age of technology.

The manner at which you communicate with your kids will go a long way in determining how well it is accepted, so lookout for the best approach.

#10 Implement Tech-free zones in areas of the house

Tech-free zones are parts of the home restricted to the use of gadgets or internet access. These areas are put in place to put the excessive use of gadgets in check. Having such zones in the house will assist your children in developing priceless qualities such as self-control.

#11 Put a check on their Online Activities

One of the benefits associated with digital technologies is easy access to research and information. Yet, this can prove to be detrimental when it is misused as your children are exposed to different sorts of contents made available on the internet.

The internet gives access to uncensored contents including violence and sex content, which hinders the development of children. In addition, the internet hosts a number of cyberbullies and sexual predators.

Bearing these in mind, parents must closely monitor the online activities of their children. Integrating their web browser with content filters and purchasing blockers to restrict access to unhealthy sites and content is a great way to protect your kids from harm.

You can also take extra preventive steps by putting your home computer in an open space in the house. When the computer is out in the open, it will help in checking their online activities, but be careful not to overdo it.

#12 Reward

As you try to teach your children better habits, make sure you put a reward system in place. Rewarding your kids goes well with them, as children generally love rewards. Taking advantage of this whenever they follow the outlined schedule will only encourage them to do more and stick to the arrangement.

Also, incorporate ideas on what their reward should be. Ask them what they would like and get it for them. When you make promises to reward them for the steps, they have taken towards limiting their use of digital technologies, stick to your words.

Parenting in the age of digital technology can prove to be challenging. Especially as parents and their kids try to work out the roles of digital technology in their lives.

Parents should note that different emotions influence the way they and their kids approach the uses of digital technologies that gives rise to other issues such as autonomy and authority, trust and risk as well as individuality and connectedness.

The increased opportunities and risks associated with digital technologies get most parents anxious. The time lost texting, playing games or watching television is another matter of concern.

Whereas, children, especially teenagers derive much fun from the excitement got from communicating over a vast network, commercial entertainment and a supposed autonomy from their lives at home.

Still, parents are still responsible for handling the moral economy of the home, which includes the usage of digital technologies.

Conclusion

These outlined 12 tips for parenting in the digital age will assist you as parents to take the vital steps to engage your children and put their devices in place. You might have tried to no avail to help your kids take full charge of their devices.

You do not have to relent as it sometimes takes time. The decisions made might result in conflict, hence making these decisions and managing the conflicts requires emotional work. Make a move as a parent in order to help your child.

Is your child addicted to screens? Let us know in the comments!