Talking Technology with Your Kids
The use of technology is unavoidable in today’s digital world, no matter the age of a person. Our children and teenagers use various forms of online technologies for work, school, and pleasure. Parents are left with the challenges of keeping their children safe when they’re online and making sure their children have a balance between virtual reality and the “real world.”
Parents who utilize blocking or filtering software soon discover that this approach, by itself, isn’t sufficient. Many children learn how to work around such software or simply use their friend’s devices that don’t have blocks of filters.
It’s better for parents to use multiple strategies and the CDC recommends the following
Here are some talking points to help you begin the conversations with your child:
About Texting and Instant Messaging
Advantages: updates such as plan changes
Disadvantages: may hinder writing and social abilities because of the shorthand language used, not great for immediate replies, not great for long conversations
About E-mail
Advantages: great for letter-like communication, updates, sending pictures, and staying in touch
Disadvantages: not great for “instant” communication or for significant conversations
About Cell phones
Advantages: allow direct communication
Disadvantages: limited by cell coverage
About Video Chat
Advantages: visual conversation in real time; body language and facial expressions are visible, which helps you to gauge emotional responses
Disadvantages: need to be online and logged in, connection issues can occur; interference issues from background noise can occur
About Social Networking Posts
Advantages: great way to stay connected, good for humor, good for being socially involved
Disadvantages: privacy concerns, not appropriate for private conversation but often used that way
