Digital Age Parenting: Navigating Screen Time And Online Safety

Drastic advances in technology have enabled children to spend more and more of their time glued to screens. They can interact with their friends digitally instead of in person, and stimulation is always readily available. This technology provides excellent opportunities for learning and connection, but there are also things to watch out for.

Increased screen time for children comes with risks and downsides. Ensuring your child’s online safety means reducing their exposure to inappropriate content, scams, and cyberbullying. Too much time spent on devices can also lead to loneliness and trouble making friends in person.

Parents navigating the digital age need strategies for protecting their children and helping them develop in healthy ways. Let’s take a look at some effective ways you can manage your child’s screen time and online safety.

Educate Your Child

It’s important to stay up to date on the updated technologies and advancements so you can keep track of what your child could be getting exposed to. It’s equally important to educate your child about online safety. This means chatting with them about potential scams, interacting with strangers, and protecting their personal information.

Set regular check-ins with your child about their online usage. Similar to how you ask about your child’s day after they return home from school, make sure you’re also checking in on their digital presence. Don’t be afraid to sit with them as they’re using a computer, tablet, or gaming console to see how they’re interacting with the online world.

Be A Good Role Model

Your children pick up on your actions and behaviors. Make sure you’re being a good role model and demonstrating healthy digital habits. If you’re constantly on your phone, your child will probably think it’s fine to do the same.

The more balanced your approach to screen time, the more likely your child will also develop healthy habits. This means limiting your screen time when you’re at home, especially during family time, meals, or bedtime.

Set Rules

Children thrive on a schedule and routine. This also applies to screen time and online activities. Set guidelines and rules for online behavior and time spent online or looking at screens. You might want to consider age-appropriate limits on how often your child is allowed to be on a device each day.

Use Parental Controls

Don’t be afraid to set up parental controls on your child’s devices. This is a great way to manage the content that your child is getting exposed to, especially if you can’t always be around to track when they’re online.

One type of parental control is a time block. Setting time limits, either through a physical timer or an application, will help your child stick to a healthier technology routine.

Promote Offline Activities

The online world may seem incredibly inviting to your child, but make sure they have a balance between their online presence and their real-life connections. Encourage activities that allow them to engage in real life. Have them join an activity, group, or sports team so they can spend time outdoors playing and moving their body. You can also set up playdates with friends or neighbors so they’re not spending the majority of their time just staring at a screen.

Seek Professional Support

Parenting in the digital world looks a little different than it used to. Being a good role model, setting rules and boundaries, and educating your child about their online presence can help you and your child navigate the digital world safely and securely. If you’re looking for more resources on this topic for you or your child, we can help. Reach out today to learn more about parent coaching.