Weather or not you welcome our growing dependence on digital media it is in fact here to stay. Just like managing nutritional intake and establishing a healthy diet, the task of raising a healthy family must incorporate a media plan too. It's unavoidable, but everything we do is converging through cloud technologies via internet-ready mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Communication, purchasing, entertainment, learning, etc., it's all occurring online. It has become a crucial component of good parenting to incorporate digital media into everyday family life. Family and child psychologist, Dr. Eitan Shwarz, explains how "...kids need healthy media diets now to create nourishing futures. Otherwise, kids will consume junk media as they do junk food." You can listen to his ideas about technology and it's importance on family relationships, socialization, values, education enrichment and entertainment here.
In addition to the above I would also add that involving the family in the use of digital media versus restricting media from kids or not being involved alongside them serves only as detriment to preparing them for effective digital life skills. Lead by example, be online with them and before them if you can. Be there to set examples for what is appropriate online behavior and creating a balance for how much digital media exposure one consumes. I've always said to parents that are uncomfortable with and lack confidence on navigating technology that you should parent he same online as you do offline. But, in order to do that you need be online too.
In the following video clip Marc Prensky, author of Don't Bother Me Mom -- I'm Learning, discusses how shools and parents need to catch up with all the information kids are receiving from everywhere else.
Getting started may seem daunting but it's important. There many resources you can pull from and here are a few to get you started:
- Dr. Eitan Shwarz's book, Kids, Parents & technology: A Guide for Young Families offers some wonderful advice on helping parents establish a media plan.
- Google has produced some really great quick how to video on everything from how to cut & paste to changing your web browser. You can see a list of these videos on the Google's Teach Parents Tech Youtube channel.
- Like most of the social networking sites Facebook has a wonderful online help center that can answer all of your questions, even how to get started. But if you prefer a video, check this out.
- Ask you kids for help! Okay, not all the time, but work with them to learn the ins and outs of social networking, navigating the web, doing searches, etc.
- Talk with other parents. In any group of parents or friends you are likely to have a range of technology expertise and it's likely you have a friend or two that is quite savvy. Buy them a cup of coffee and ask them to help you get started. Chance are they love to help and be your friend online.
No one will have the best interest of your kids in mind more then you, so be there for them.
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