Growing up is so different from when I was young. We didn’t have all the technology to worry about like kids do today. If I got a phone call, it was at my house – on the phone hanging on the kitchen wall. Everyone in the house could hear my conversation. Everyone knew who I was talking to. That’s why the phone cord was so stretched out, so I could take that phone into the coat closet for some privacy. My parents didn’t have to worry about all the different technologies that today’s parents worry about. The news is filled with tragic stories of kids lashing out and parents who seem to know nothing about what is happening on line with their children.
It is incredibly scary to hand your child their own smart phone for the first time. We set a dozen or so rules that my daughters have to follow in order to have their own phone, but that doesn’t make it easier. Kindle’s go on sale for a dime a dozen around the holidays, so not only are their smart phones, but then there are tablets and smart TVs…. and the list goes on!
Once the device is in their hands, then you get into issues with them wanting accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snap Chat and on and on! Oh my! How are we expected to keep our kids safe when there are so many opportunities for things to happen?
Well, we can’t get it 100% right, 100% of the time. My oldest daughter got caught up in some serious girl drama in sixth grade involving technology. There were several girls that were taking each others phones and posting terrible comments about other girls – making it look like the comments came from the owner of the phone. And in another example at the same school, some girls created a very inappropriate chat group to try to get their friends to confess deep secrets.
Ugh. Did I mention it is hard to be a parent in this age?
Tips for Safe Technology Usage
Here are some tips that we have used with our kids to keep some control over the technology:
- The device belongs to the adult. The adult has the pass-code. Period. You know how to get into all the apps. And you need to get into all the apps. Regularly!
- Use parental controls from your wireless service provider! Verizon has FamilyBase and other providers have similar programs. It allows you to control times of the day that the user can use data.
- Set time limits at home. One great idea is to not allow devices until homework is done. Even after that only allow an hour of device time. If the time is not limited, you may not see that child all evening!
- Have a charging station where all devices charge together. The kids ‘check’ their devices in every evening!
- Friend your child on all the social media apps that you allow them to be a part of. Watch what they are doing from your end! (Keep logging onto their device to make sure you are seeing what they are posting)
- Talk with your teen regularly about the dangers of ‘meeting’ people online. Make sure they understand the dangers of talking online with strangers.
- Discuss how things put out on the internet never go away. Photos and videos can remain online forever and could comeback to haunt them in their older years.
- Use the device for punishment. When my kids don’t follow my rules, their device is the first thing that goes away. It KILLS them. 😉
I hope these tips will help parenting with technology a little easier! I would love to hear how you are handling these same concerns! Leave me a comment!
See my tips for dealing with devices and younger kids too!
