A Guide to Parenting in the Digital Age

It’s quite impossible to keep your little kids away from the growing network of technology that has branched out at every corner of the world.

As a part of the technological age, not only we have to keep up with the rapid changes, but we also need to think as parents and protect our young from its dark claws.

You may feel lost in the process or doubt your parenting skills, but you should know that parenting in the digital era is a daunting task.

You need to be aware of your child’s development stages to understand them better and help them use technology accordingly.

A GUIDE TO PARENTING IN THE DIGITAL AGE

We, with the help of other valid resources, have jotted down some useful tips for parenting in the digital age, that is realistic for you to implement and work towards.

Also read: 5 Tech Tips for Parents to Embrace Digital Education

Here are a few of the best advice noted that we believe will help you out in managing your children better in a tech-savvy generation.

1. Be an Ideal Model to Your Children

Your children are most likely to follow your footsteps and it stands true even on your way of using technology.

You can’t expect your children to not stare at the screens if you’re doing the same thing. They eventually learn and mimic every single thing you do.

Being a good parent involves being available to your child physically and emotionally.

Spend less time online and more time around your children, playing or teaching them something new.

2. Monitor What Your Child is Doing Online

Letting your child be online on their own no matter how secure platforms they use to access the internet is not something to be taken lightly.

It is still essential for you as a parent to pay attention to your child’s online activity.

Find out which websites they’re regularly visiting, or what apps they are accustomed to. Manage or block any content you think is not appropriate for them.

Leaving your little child to browse the internet on their own is similar to leaving them alone on an unfamiliar street.

3. Control the Amount of Online Time for Your Child

As a responsible parent, it’s your duty to restrict the time your child spends online. It may seem like harsh parenting, and your little ones may get annoyed but it’s important nonetheless.

Remaining online most of the time is not only unhealthy for your kids but also restrains them from being creative and imaginative.

Set up a routine and make your children follow that. Allocate time for offline playing, exercises, social interactions, and bedtime.

4. Include Co-watching in Your Family Time With The Kids

Take time out of your busy schedule and go online along with your children or accompany them when they are doing so.

Also read: Children And Technology: Digital Age Parenting

It could be a family watch time where your child gets the opportunity to see something educational while you make it more clear to them what they should learn from it.

Doing so you could easily turn watch time to study time without any hassle.

5. Consider What Your Little Ones Are Watching

It’s crucial to see that your child doesn’t get exposed to technology at a very young age.

Apart from video chatting with their relatives, make sure you are with your little child to assist them in using the internet.

Since toddlers learn well from visuals and audios, watch an educational kids show available online and make them practice what they have learned.

Preschool children should be given restricted time to be online or play games as kids of that age easily get sucked into the addictive media.

6. Emotional Pacifying With Technology is Not The Answer

Using technology as an emotional pacifier can be harmful to your child.

You are restricting their growth by not letting them express themselves and interacting with others.

Your child needs to learn how to deal with emotions and remain calm without digital aid.

There are many interesting things to do when they are bored instead of aimlessly playing online that gets into a habit.

Even if they remain calm for a certain amount of time, the process will eventually hamper their cognitive development in the long run.

7. Real Life Interactions Are Crucial for Your Child

Over the years, research has shown that toddlers and preschoolers learn best when they interact or engage in passive conversations.

 Also read: Build Stronger Relationships with Your Child with DMIT

Staring blankly at a screen for hours may not provide your child with the necessary skills for communication and being social.

8. How You Should Deal With Teenagers and Technology

As your child gets into the teenage, their lives get complicated.

They are bombarded with so many new options and feel the need to be ahead in everything.

Make your teenager familiar with the online world, how useful it could be if used properly or how it could cause grave issues when being careless.

If they get into trouble, help them out without being too harsh.
Keep them aware about the importance of online privacy and how they could get into trouble.

9. At The End of The Day, They are Just Kids

Since you are there to guide your child, be empathetic towards them, they don’t know everything about the technology yet.

They would make mistakes and learn from those mistakes eventually, that is how they grow.

Just be responsible and monitor any change in behavior or issues that your child may be hiding. However, don’t forget to give them space to grow as well.
Some Final Words
Being a parent is overwhelming itself and adding technology to it could make it all seem impossible.

But don’t stress out! A little guidance and careful monitoring can help them remain tech-savvy and safe at the same time.

Using technology in the right way can make your life better, as it was invented to do so. You just have to learn how to put it into parenting use.

| About the Guest Author:

Guest Author
Stepheny is a content writer at FeedFond. She’s a loving mother to her two children and is passionate about psychology and philosophy. To read more of her articles, visit FeedFond.com.


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