With the fast tech evolving world, there are whole new sets of challenges faced by parents in today’s world. Parenting in digital age is quite different from traditional parenting due to outgrown gadgets and online platforms for kids. Pew research surveys says that “Two-thirds of parents in the U.S. say parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many citing technologies – like social media or smartphones – as a reason”.
With the shift to digital era, parents now face issues like online safety, screen time management, and navigating the digital world. At time parenting can be stressful, when your are overwhelmed with thoughts on how your child is affected by technology. There are ways to create a healthy digital environment for our children while helping them use technology responsibly. World health organization has release screen time guidelines for children’s under age of 5 years. Which recommends no screentime for children of age less than 2 and no more than 60 minutes of screentime per day for children of 2-5 years.
Thus, it is important for parents to adapt to effective ways of parenting. This will help kids navigate the ever-changing digital world in healthy and balanced form. Here are some useful tips on how to navigate parenting in digital age.
1. Set clear screen time rules for parenting in digital age
Establish clear guidelines for when and how long your child can use screens each day. Use a visual timer to help kids understand and track their screen time limits. Set daily screen time limits and no screen time during bedtime and lunchtime. Set build in device timer to control screen time for your kids. Use parental control routers that help manage internet access and screen time for kids. Use parental control routers like the Gryphon Guardian. This helps in content filtering, managing screen time on all your home devices and view web browsing history as well as access to websites.
2. Have open-minded conversation regarding social media for parenting in digital age
Have regular conversation with your kids about social media, about how they feel on different social media platforms? Also, make them understand the difference between what is real and edited on social media. As social media will have highest impact on their behavioral development, thus it is important to talk to them and make them feel supported.
3. Encourage educational gadgets
Digital age has benefit for kids when it comes to learning, as there are many education resources for children’s to learn things. Develop and feed there curiosity with education gadgets like Amazon fire kids tablet, Leapfrog leapPad or other educational tablets. This have various activities like stories, puzzles, and coloring activity to engage children into learning new things.
4. Encourage them in offline activities
Initate some fun family time every week for you kids where you can engage them in offline activities at the same time bond with them. This can be simple activities like reading books, listing to echo dot kids, family games like Family trivia game, or Family cards game. You can also encourage outer play, or some art and crafts activities like Rock painting, Mini kids pottery, Diamond art and Paint magnetic tile art.
5. Initiate reward token system to your kids
Implement a system where kids earn screen time tokens for completing chores or tasks. Parenting in digital age has to adapt new ways to engaging children in daily routine. Moreover each token represents a set amount of screen time, encouraging responsibility and balance. Rewards system will encourage kids good behaviors. Rewards will not only help in keeping your child’s interest in different activities, but also promote behavioral development of their growth.
6. Set examples for your kids
There is a popular saying that “Kids will learn what they see”. Be a role model to them by demonstrating healthy screen habits yourself. Parenting in digital age will involve limiting your own screen time especially during family time, and prioritize face-to-face interactions.
7. Stay updated on parenting in digital age trends
Stay informed about the latest digital trends, apps, and social media platforms your children use. Engage in their online world by participating in shared activities, discussing their interests, and being a supportive guide in navigating digital challenges. Parenting in digital age will need you to actively adapt and learn, enhance your perspective with some of the best parenting books like The book you wish your parents have read, The whole brain child and The parents guide to parenting in digital age.
In conclusion, navigating parenting in the digital age requires a delicate balance of guidance, understanding, and proactive measures. By setting clear boundaries, utilizing technology wisely, fostering open communication, and leading by example, we can create a healthy digital environment for our children to thrive in. Remember, it’s not about completely avoiding technology but rather empowering our kids to use it responsibly and mindfully. Together, we can navigate this ever-evolving landscape of parenting in the digital era and raise confident, resilient, and digitally savvy individuals.