Wherever our children are, we want to be there for them, and keep them safe.
Before they are born, we prepare a home for their arrival.
As they are growing, we try our best to create the best environment.
What about when they are outside, online, and in uncontrolled environments?
Rule 1: Authorization
The first rule any parent should teach their child is to ask for permission.
Why? Beacuse it builds trust, saftey, and shows respect towards deserving authority.
Plus, it is a good way to start taking responsibility and making decisions with guidance.
Expalin that being careful doesn’t mean we are afraid to do things, it means we understand how we do things, so we can do it right. Teach your children that as a family, everyone’s job is to protect each other and be safe.
Rule 2: Television
Watching television is usually the first screen children are exposed to.
TV’s have apps and must be connected to the internet, were you’ll get recommended videos and ads.
There may be violence, sexual content, and bias news that you don’t want your child to see.
Shows and movies have all sorts of mixed messages hinting and directly presented towards children and adults.
When my children are introduced to screen time, it will be limited to an hour, or less.
A toddler shouldn’t make decisions, parents will decide what they watch, and we watch it together.
You can create password accounts for certain programs and apps that require your permission before use.
Rule 3: Phones
The main reason why a person whould have a phone is for communication.
My children won’t get their phones until I see a good reason for one.
That means a phone is a needed tool to be used purposefully and not an additional want.
The reason for this is because phones are samller in size, which means they stay on you, which makes safeguarding harder for parents.
As people grow, they understand when to talk to someone and when it is better to remain silent.
It is difficult for children to differentiate what’s safe or not, esspecially in a fake online environment.
I recommend parents know what apps their children download and monitor your child’s screen time.
Discourage the use of secret passwords.
Know what information your child is sharing and what is shared with them from other people.
Be careful regarding in-game or in-app purchases.
Rule 4: Laptops & Tablets
These are placed in the living room and do not go into bedrooms.
Teach children awareness, not to exchange private information, and the camrea should be off.
Online friends are not the same as face to face friends, because online anyone can be anything.
Parents should know who their children talk to online.
Asking parents for advice should be an instinct response.
Teach children to think twice before they chat online and be respectful, because cyberbullying is bullying.
Keep a favorites bar tab that children can easily click on instead of searching for different websites.
Install pop up and ad blockers to remove harmful content and remind children not to click on the word “download” without asking permission first.
Rule 5: Productivity
Make screen time become something productive.
You can be productive even when you are relaxing and enjoying yourself.
There is toxic productivity, where a person is never satisfied with what effort and time they put in, because they feel something is never enough.
Then there is mindful productivity of being aware of our thoughts and feelings, being present in what we are doing.
The first will make you feel like you wasted your time, draining your energy, and leave you unsatisfied.
The second will make you feel like your life has meaning, embracing improvement, leaving you content.
For example, before, during, and after watching television, there should be comments and give-and-take discussions about what we watched so it becomes a useful learning experience.
Talk about your screen time activity at dinner and share what you learned or what made you entartained.
My Opinion
I don’t plan on giving my children screen time until after they are two years old.
The reason for this is simply, they are still babies and can’t talk or express themselves.
You see, surfing the internet is the same as going outside.
At home, parents have more control over the environment, which means it should be a safe place to let your guard down, but outside anything can happen.
If my child can’t come to me and tell me what happened, be it good or bad, why would I risk a bad experience to someone I care so much about.
As a parent, it is my responsibility to make sure my children are safe.
I am not against technology, infact I grew up in this digital generation with screens.
But because of my experience, I know both advantages and disadvantages that come with being subjected to such surroundings.
I’m not forbidding screens all together, Just limiting their usage.
I will be focused on finding screen time alternatives, activities that the family can enjoy in person.
The internet is used to connect with people, but what use is it at all if we don’t learn to connect first with each other as a family?
I just want what is best for my children.
