As parents, we worry about where our kids are going, who they are with, and what they are up to. With the prevalence of technology we now worry about our kids online as well as offline.
Is this worry founded? Do we worry more than we need to?
Like all good debates, there are people who subscribe to holding off giving their kids technology as long as possible, and those who do not want their kids' technological skills to be behind their peers, especially as many will have careers that predominantly use technology, and every opinion in between.
If you wonder if your child is having too much time on technology, there are some useful questions you can ask yourself:
Does your child get outside? Do they play a sport or get active in some other way? Do they spend time getting creative? Are they able to socialize, even with close friends? Can they communicate effectively; with peers, teachers, with other adults?
Is sleep disrupted by their technology use? Do they eat well balanced meals or eat ‘on the run’ between games?
Balance is the key with any of our lives. If we are able to use technology to our advantage and monitor our use, then most of us are able to live well rounded lives.
If your child has trouble staying balanced then it might be time to introduce some rules around technology use that help to guide them make better decisions around its use. Some families find a technology contract (such as this one from the Parenting Place) useful, others prefer to sit down and discuss the rules. However you decide to tackle this as a family, it is always better to deal with the problem while it is small, rather than wait until your child is too big and determined to listen to your requests.
Prevention is also better than cure. If it is time for you to think about introducing technology to your child, before they get their computer or phone, discuss with the other significant adult in their world what is reasonable use, for their age and stage, and what your expectations are. Think ahead; what is reasonable use for each stage and while they live under your roof? How will your expectations change as they mature? Do you expect your child to help out around the house as a way to earn their technology and or use?
What if your child is having trouble and you are only thinking about this now? Consistency is helpful, whether you are a solo parent, co-parenting apart or have both parents in the home. You may share different opinions but if you can talk about the issues away from the ears of your child and show a united front, you are less likely to have issues.
Want to know more? This article from Brainwave Trust Aotearoa has some more information and highlights some supporting research.
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