In 2017, around 45% of the kids that used technology were between the ages 3-4.
Technology use is becoming more common with younger children, so much that some people even give their 1-year-olds tablets.
Kids and Technology: How to Raise Tech-Healthy Kids
If you don’t want your children to grow up addicted to the internet or their devices, you will have to put boundaries in place.
Continue reading to discover the best ways to brings kids and technology together. All without having them build inappropriate habits!
1. Set Time Limits
It is rather easy to get lost in the online world for hours without even noticing.
Phones and computers can access shows, information, and more at the touch of a finger. When your kids are first starting to use technology, you will want to set time limits so that they can focus on other things too.
Kids these days spend an average of 8-18 hours a day looking at a computer, phone, or TV screen.
Younger children should have no more than an hour or two of time on a device, whereas older kids can have several hours. Without time limits, sleep schedules can be thrown off, and priorities can go left unattended.
2. Set up Preferences
When you decide to bring your kids and technology together, you must review your device settings and preferences.
Looking over the preferences can allow you the chance to change settings and limit what your kids can see. You can block certain websites and set specific restrictions to avoid them from going to unsafe webpages.
Learning how to right click on a Mac can also give you the change to change settings within specific applications. By going into your System Preferences and Parental Controls, you can create various accounts for each child. This will allow them to have their settings.
3. Tell Them Your Expectations
After you have given access to a device to your children, you must discuss your expectations with them.
Doing this will give you a chance you emphasize specific values and explain the consequences of going against them. You should inform them of how long you expect them to be on devices and what other priorities they still need to focus on each day.
Another expectation that you must go over with them is for when you aren’t home. With no parents home, kids are likely to spend extra time on devices. Talk to them about trust and listening so that they know what is expected of them.
4. Set a Good Example
If your kids see you displaying poor technology habits, they may be more likely to pick them up too.
Setting a good example will help teach your children why they should follow the rules. It will give them the chance to see a healthy relationship with technology.
To set this example, you should focus on creating a balance of entertainment, education, and work. Outside of using technology, you should be staying active and eating healthy.
When kids look up to someone, they often try to mirror what the other person is doing. Don’t let your habits affect them!
5. Stay Current
Parents that allow technology to be used when they aren’t monitoring it should be sure to stay current on device news and trends.
Nearly every day, you see a warning or news title about the newest technology scam, virus, or warning. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to know what your children are looking at, but you can speak with them.
The news stations often inform the public of applications that put your children in unsafe situations or at risk. You can also discover YouTube trends that aren’t safe or healthy for your children to watch and block them before they become an issue.
It helps to know as much as you can about technology so that you aren’t unaware of the things your kids do on devices.
6. Talk about Cyberbullying
The internet is the new hangout space for kids and adults of all ages.
Just like the real world, not everyone will get along and play nice with each other. It is essential to talk to your children about cyberbullying as they get older so that they don’t partake in it or can get help.
People aren’t afraid to say mean and hurtful things online when they are behind a computer screen. Don’t let this affect your kids.
7. Discuss Pornography and Sexting on Phones
Phones and computers with the internet have access to a wide range of sites, including pornography.
These are inappropriate for children and should be discussed with them. By putting up parental controls on these sites, you can help keep them out. They should also know that these sites and easily damage the computer and cause a virus.
Sexting on message apps and texting is another factor that you will have to consider. As kids are getting older, they may become more curious or pressured into sexting. You should speak to them about how once you put something out there, it will never go away.
You should encourage them never to send any pictures and to speak with an adult if someone is pressuring them.
Can Kids and Technology Work Together?
One of the most challenging things that parents have to decide is when to introduce technology to their children.
Kids and technology don’t have the best reputation. This is because kids typically don’t want to get off of the device. Unfortunately, this can impact other areas of their lives and make things more difficult.
Utilizing this guide can help you ensure that technology won’t consume your children. They can have a healthy balance and live a happy life.
Be sure to keep browsing through our blog for more articles with tips on raising your children in an age of technology!
