Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care
Raising kids in the digital age & developing healthy technology habits
23 September 2016 - by Cheryl - YMCA Child Care
Last summer while my family was at amusement park, my daughter turned to my husband and asked “Why is Mommy always on her phone when we’re out and having fun? Is she bored?”
I wasn’t bored, of course; in fact, I was texting and confirming dinner plans with my sister. But I was definitely on my phone, as were some people at the park; it’s no secret that technology is changing the way that we parent, work, and spend our free time.
Parents raising digital natives are challenged with balancing their children’s screen time with play time, teaching kids to navigate the digital world safely and independently, and helping them develop healthy technology habits.
The good news is that you do not have to be a tech expert to do any of these things. Here are some actionable tips for parents raising kids in the digital age:
Be the role model
Parents are their children’s first teacher. They learned how to play, walk, and talk from you. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that their tech habits are a reflection of yours as well. How often do you check your phone in front of your children? Do they see you reaching for the tablet or remote during your free time? Being conscious of your own technology use is a vital first step in developing healthy habits in your kids.
Learn the difference between passive versus interactive technology
Technology can be used for hands-on learning (think eBooks or educational apps) or for passive entertainment like watching movies or television. Using technology to learn something new or solve a problem is just as engaging as being a player or observer of non-interactive experiences, and it’s much better for children’s development.
Be the student, be the parent
Instagram, Snapchat, Kik, Vine, Tumblr — the way we communicate and share information is always changing. While you don’t need to be active on all these social media channels, parents should know how they’re being used by their children and how to stay safe when using them. You don’t need to check their history or monitor their social media profiles every day, but you should have conversations on what is acceptable online behaviour and what is not.
Provide fun, screen-free activities
Although there are devices and apps which offer educational opportunities, some of them don’t require interacting with other children or people. These solitary and sedentary technology experiences limit children’s need for physical activity and social development. Consider planning a weekly outdoor activity the family can do together, signing up for a sports league, gym class or swimming lessons.
What have you learned about raising kids in the digital age? Tell us via our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram channels (of course!).
I wasn’t bored, of course; in fact, I was texting and confirming dinner plans with my sister. But I was definitely on my phone, as were some people at the park; it’s no secret that technology is changing the way that we parent, work, and spend our free time.
Parents raising digital natives are challenged with balancing their children’s screen time with play time, teaching kids to navigate the digital world safely and independently, and helping them develop healthy technology habits.
The good news is that you do not have to be a tech expert to do any of these things. Here are some actionable tips for parents raising kids in the digital age:
Be the role model
Parents are their children’s first teacher. They learned how to play, walk, and talk from you. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that their tech habits are a reflection of yours as well. How often do you check your phone in front of your children? Do they see you reaching for the tablet or remote during your free time? Being conscious of your own technology use is a vital first step in developing healthy habits in your kids.
Learn the difference between passive versus interactive technology
Technology can be used for hands-on learning (think eBooks or educational apps) or for passive entertainment like watching movies or television. Using technology to learn something new or solve a problem is just as engaging as being a player or observer of non-interactive experiences, and it’s much better for children’s development.
Be the student, be the parent
Instagram, Snapchat, Kik, Vine, Tumblr — the way we communicate and share information is always changing. While you don’t need to be active on all these social media channels, parents should know how they’re being used by their children and how to stay safe when using them. You don’t need to check their history or monitor their social media profiles every day, but you should have conversations on what is acceptable online behaviour and what is not.
Provide fun, screen-free activities
Although there are devices and apps which offer educational opportunities, some of them don’t require interacting with other children or people. These solitary and sedentary technology experiences limit children’s need for physical activity and social development. Consider planning a weekly outdoor activity the family can do together, signing up for a sports league, gym class or swimming lessons.
What have you learned about raising kids in the digital age? Tell us via our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram channels (of course!).
