Technology and Kids: Parenting in our Digital World

We live in a world dominated by computers and internet, so it is important for us as parents to determine how we will parent our children in this arena of life. Computers and the internet provide great learning opportunities! Lead your children into this world, sit with them and go through and bookmark sites you want your child to use (remember to check www.commonsensemedia.org). Set up a child-friendly search engines like Yahoo!Kids or KidZui.

 

INTERNET: As wonderful as the computer and internet is, there are also concerns. To combat the darker side of the internet, keep the computer in a public space, not in your child’s bedroom. By keeping the computer in public space we significantly lessen inappropriate internet use from happening. Consider strongly installing a time-limiting software and monitoring software (such as Safe Eyes; CyberSitter; CyberPatrol); UNDERSTAND your supervision is still needed. It won’t be long before your child will be able to get around the controls you place on the computer. You also need to be teaching your children how to responsibly use the internet. I’ll address this more in my next blog.

 

SOCIAL NETWORKING: What do you feel about social networking sites? As a parent, if you don’t want your child using them at this age then don’t allow it. You may not realize that there are social networking sites specifically designed for children of this age such as Club Penguin and Webkinz. Does this frighten you? Remember that you need to parent online just as you do offline. You know the house and family your child goes to for play, so make sure you know where your child goes when online. Get information about these sites. Each site has a parents section that will explain the site and answer your questions. Don’t give into fear of “the internet,” learn about it; enter into your child’s digital world.

 

Club Penguin has no advertisements; on Webkinz you can limit 3^rd party ads, but advertisements for Webkinz and Ganz products are always on. These sites limit the choice of words the user is allowed. Talk to other parents and see what their kids are using. Go on the website and read the parent information before allowing your child to sign up for one of these sites.

 

TV, computer, social networking and video games all count as screen time. Find a reasonable limit of screen time each day. Play is how children learn, through play they learn to build structures and relationships. Active play builds coordination and strength. And as children play with others learn cooperative skills through play. Active playtime should be a priority during these years, so limit screen time giving them plenty of time for active play.

 

 

Technology and Kids: Parenting in our Digital World

Recently I have been blogging on technology and kids. Previously I have addressed children up to the start of school. Today we focus on children in early elementary years. 

 

A quick overview of the issues for children of all ages goes like this:

• Know what your child is doing on line
• Set appropriate limit for total amount of screen time per day.
• Select age appropriate TV shows, movies, computer programs, video games, internet sites….
• Make sure there is time for play, social interaction and reading each day.

 

The specific concerns for children in early elementary school regarding TV are violence, news and commercials.  Now is the time to start using your V-Chip (go to http://tvguidelines.org/  for more information). It is easy to limit what children can view on your TV; equally important is to talk with your child about what they are watching. Help them understand what is real and what is not real on TV. Help them understand the purposes of commercials. You can record favorite shows and fast forward through the commercials to avoid them all together.

 

 Many children this age find the news to be frightening. If you believe watching the news is appropriate for your child sit and watch with them, talk about how they respond to what they see on TV News.

 

Make sure the video games your child has access to are age appropriate. Violent video games and watching violence on TV can increase aggressiveness and negatively affect school performance.

 

Next time I’ll talk about computers and the internet for early elementary age children.

 

 

Preschoolers and Digital Media

Here’s a question to start: How much time is your preschooler spending in front of a screen each day?

 

The American Pediatric Association’s recommends no screens for two and younger and two hours for children over two years of age. The APA also says less than 2-hours is preferable for 2-4 year olds.

 

Regarding television the concern is the amount of time being watched as well as the content of what is viewed. Age appropriate educational programs are best for preschoolers. Children learn best through interaction, so TV programs that slow things down and have the “actor” stop, face the audience and address them are excellent for this age. (Think Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood). If your interest is helping your child learn then watching and interacting with your child during the TV show is best.

 

Most children are not able to manipulate a mouse until age 5 or 6. Even if your child is able to, they should not be on the internet without you. You can sit with your child and have them list things that interest them (animals, sports, trains, etc.). Then you can do a search with them and look at the results. Another fun way to use the internet with young children is to Skype a relative or friend. There are games you can get such as Computer Cool School with a colorful keyboard that plugs into your computer so preschoolers can "play" on the computer with no risk to your system.

 

Educational games and apps for preschool age children are abundant. Children can learn from appropriate digital media, but keep in mind that children of this age learn best with off-line interaction and exploring their environment.

 

Lastly, be aware of what your child is giving up to use the “screens.” For the healthiest children make sure there is be plenty of time for outdoor play, social interaction and exploration of their environment.

 

To find age appropriate media I recommend www.commonsensemedia.org. Common Sense Media reviews movies, computer games, apps, websites, TV shows, books, and music. You can select from a range of genre and themes, as well as a specific age groups from 3-17 years.