How to Effectively Parent Children in the Digital World?
The typical American household has five electronic devices that can access the internet. Children of all ages seem to have a fantastic ability to navigate any device that can get online. Parents unashamedly admit that their child knows more about the internet than they do. Does this seem risky to you?
We have an entire generation of young adults whose worldview is created and centered in a virtual environment. This environment allows this generation to dismiss social norms, find like-minded individuals, and empower each other through their partnerships (good or bad).
Like anything, there are some positive aspects to forming these relationships, but what happens when we hide our shameful activities, thoughts, and actions online? When we surround ourselves with like-minded people, encouraging us, telling us we are right and enabling our behavior? It seems evident that these associations will form our perceptions of what should, and should not, be shameful, acceptable, and healthy.
Life is different now. Face-to-face interactions are much less required to get by in today’s world. You send a text message to the person you want to date. You send an email to your potential boss. In theory, you could manage your entire life without ever engaging in face-to-face interaction. This generation will never be required to navigate the social awkwardness of what older generations call “the way it was.”
I am afraid that history, like always, will repeat itself.
Remember, when an older generation thought smoking was fine?
Smoking, to that generation, didn’t seem offensive, dangerous, or taboo. Only later would the next generation laugh and call the previous one ignorant. I am asking how anyone could think that inhaling chemicals wouldn’t have negative consequences?
It seems silly, even now.
Here we are in the digital world. What will the next generation laugh about? Will they find it utterly ridiculous that our generation allowed teenagers and children to have full access to the internet?
As parents or grandparents, we have the responsibility to learn and understand the internet. We have to learn about the “darkweb.” We have to understand social media. We have to be vigilant with the internet and cellphone filters. As soon as we do, we would be able to train and advise our children to make better use of their devices.
You have the right to decide whether or not you like this new world in which we live. As parents, you do not have the right to “not take action.” It is our responsibility to know what our children are doing online, protect them from unhealthy activities, and talk to them about healthy and productive habits.
The internet is not going anywhere any time soon; therefore, we must equip ourselves and our children to understand and protect themselves from the threats of the web.
