In today’s fast-paced and interconnected onlife world, technology has become an integral and ubiquitous part of our daily lives. From smartphones and laptops to gaming consoles, our kiddos are growing up in an onlife world where access to information and communication is almost instantaneous at the touch of a finger or the click of a mouse.
While these devices come with a multitude of benefits, they also come with their own unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to youth. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of providing our kiddos with a well-directed tech-based foundation as a starting point, the earlier the better, as we embark on what should be a shared ongoing journey into their onlife world.
Technology has transformed the way we live, work, play, and communicate. For youth, growing up in this onlife world means they have access to an incredible wealth of information and entertainment. However, it also exposes them to potential risks and pitfalls that can be challenging to navigate without proper guidance.
One common approach that we have seen parents take when it comes to technology – provide our kiddos with devices without any “real” education on their use and let them learn on their own. While granting youth some agency to explore and discover on their own is valuable, it’s essential to recognize that the onlife world can be a complex and sometimes dangerous place, especially for pre-teens and younger teens. Online predation, cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, privacy concerns, and problematic online behavior are all real risks that demand our attention as parents and caregivers. Providing our kiddos with the information to help minimize these risks is important before we ever allow them access to technology in the first place. As we like to say, “proper pre-planning prevents poor tech performance”.
To mitigate these risks and ensure our kiddos a safer and more responsible use of technology, it’s crucial to equip them with digital literacy skills when they first start accessing technology and the internet. As parents and caregivers, we play a pivotal role in providing guidance and setting boundaries. Here are some steps we recommend to parents and caregivers:
- Watch One Of Our Age-Appropriate Video-On-Demand Programs Together As A Family: Consider watching one of our age-appropriate videos on online safety and responsible technology use with your kiddo. This can serve as a foundation for a more detailed discussion. https://thewhitehatter.ca/video-on-demand/
- Institute Our Family Collective Agreement: Create a family collective agreement that sets clear expectations and guidelines for technology use both inside and outside the home. This agreement can foster open communication and shared responsibility. https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/the-power-of-a-social-media-and-technology-family-collective-agreement/
- Utilize The “Due Diligence” Report Tool: Teach your kiddo about the importance of making informed choices when it comes to downloading apps or engaging with social media platforms. Prior to allowing your child to download any app or social network, first have them complete a due diligence report that encourages critical thinking about the content they consume. Here’s a great resource from our friend and psychologist Jocelyn Brewer – the creator of the due diligence report:
- Provide Age-Appropriate Technology: Consider the age-appropriateness of the technology you provide to your kiddo. Ensure that mobile devices align with their maturity level and needs. https://thewhitehatter.ca/smartphones/
- Model Good Tech Use: Our kids will model our use of technology so what we do as parents and caregivers specific to technology matters. https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/the-impact-of-parental-phone-usage-on-teens-setting-an-example/
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest trends and apps that are popular among youth. Resources like our free web book https://thewhitehatter.ca/online-parenting-book/, our bloghttps://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/ , our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/whitehatterteam , or our website www.thewhitehatter.ca can help you better understand the digital landscape.
- Communicate Differently: To provide digital well-being and foster digital resiliency, parents and caregivers must adopt a digital transformational learning approach when it comes to mentoring digital literacy with our kiddos. https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/a-transformational-approach-to-parenting-in-todays-onlife-world/
In a world dominated by technology, providing our youth with devices without proper training and scaffolded boundaries is akin to handing them the keys to a car without teaching them how to drive safely. It’s crucial to recognize that technology, while a valuable tool, comes with its own set of unique challenges, especially for our youth.
In today’s ever-evolving onlife world, technology has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of our lives, particularly for our youth. The use of smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles has ushered in an era of unprecedented connectivity and access to knowledge. Yet, today’s onlife world also presents unique challenges, especially for our youth. As we’ve discussed, simply providing them with these devices without imparting essential knowledge and boundaries is akin to giving them a vehicle without teaching them to drive safely.
However, it’s important to realize that by actively participating in our children’s digital journey, we can equip them with the necessary tools to navigate the online world responsibly. Our shared responsibility as parents and caregivers involves educating ourselves, setting clear expectations, fostering open communication, and modeling responsible tech use. By doing so, we empower our kiddos to make informed choices, safeguard their online identities, and harness the immense potential of technology while mitigating its inherent risks. In essence, this collaborative effort ensures that the onlife world, which has become an integral part of our children’s lives, remains a place of learning, exploration, and connection rather than a source of harm or distress.
By taking an active role in educating and guiding our kiddos in their digital journey, we can help them develop the skills and awareness necessary to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Together, as parents and youth, we can forge a safer and more responsible path through today’s onlife world – one that guides our children toward a brighter and more secure future.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
