Hello everyone!
I hope this blog post finds you well. I’m writing to you today to let you know that I’m back. I'm tired but I'm back! And I'm excited to start updating the blog again... albeit in a slightly less flamboyant form (time restraints and all). So, this month at least, no images or flight of fancy; just the bare bones.
The digital world is a lot like a new and exciting playground. It’s full of incredible opportunities for learning, connection, and fun. But just like a physical playground, it also has its own set of rules, and a few lurking dangers that parents need to be aware of. We’ve talked before about the importance of playgrounds as a place for children to learn and grow, to push their boundaries and figure out social dynamics. In a similar vein, navigating the digital world requires a new kind of parenting, one that focuses on teaching our children to be good digital citizens, to be media literate, and to understand the importance of online safety and privacy.
The New Playground Rules: Digital Citizenship and Online Safety
Remember all those playground scuffles and misunderstandings we talked about in my post from way back in January 2020 on "5 tips for calming playground behaviour"? The ones where children needed to learn about personal space and how to communicate their feelings? Well, the digital world has its own version of those rules, and they're just as important. Teaching children about online safety and digital citizenship isn't about scaring them; it’s about equipping them with the tools they need to navigate the online world confidently and responsibly. Just like you teach them not to talk to strangers in the park, you need to teach them not to give out personal information online. The "stranger danger" of our youth has evolved into the more nuanced and insidious threat of online grooming, which we touched on in May 2020 when discussing e-Safety. While all schools strive to have policies in place to promote a safe and supportive environment for children, both online and offline, often including a designated staff member responsible for promoting children's rights and ensuring they are upheld, the ultimate responsibility also lies with us, as parents and guardians, to equip our children with the understanding and resilience to navigate these complexities confidently.
Media Literacy: Learning to Look Beyond the Surface
In my post from October 2022, I discussed the dubious validity of a news story about children's packed lunches, noting how statistics can be twisted and how a reporter couldn’t even get the basics right. This is a perfect example of why media literacy is a crucial skill for children to develop. The internet is a fire hose of information, and not all of it is accurate or true. Media literacy is the ability to critically evaluate that information, to question sources, and to understand the motives behind what you're reading or watching. It's about teaching children to have "strong opinions that are weakly held," as I mentioned in a post about heresy back in March 2020. It’s about listening to understand, not just to respond. By teaching our children to question the information they encounter online, we are empowering them to become informed, thoughtful individuals who are not easily swayed by misinformation.
Managing Screen Time: Finding the Balance
In a world where children are accustomed to learning through a screen, finding the right balance for screen time can be a challenge. In August 2020, when discussing Chromebooks and online learning, I highlighted the ubiquitous nature of digital devices in children's lives. However, this doesn't mean we should throw caution to the wind. It's about setting clear, consistent boundaries, much like the ones we set in the physical world. Instead of just saying "no more screen time," parents can frame it as a choice, offering alternatives that are just as engaging, as discussed in my collaboration post with Molly in June 2020 on getting outside and doing some learning. It's about teaching children self-control, a skill Michele Borba identifies as a key to success. This isn't about micromanaging their every move; it's about helping them develop the self-discipline to manage their own time and attention.
Online Privacy: The Digital Footprint
Finally, we need to talk about online privacy and the digital footprint. As modern AI language models become more advanced and integrated into our lives, as discussed in a couple of my posts in May and June 2023, the amount of data being collected about us is vast and often goes unnoticed. For children, this is even more critical. Their online activity creates a digital footprint that can follow them for life. Teaching them about online privacy isn't just about protecting them from predators; it's about teaching them the value of their personal information and the long-term consequences of what they share. It’s about helping them understand that once something is online, it’s permanent. This is about empowering children to be thoughtful and deliberate about their online presence, ensuring they are the masters of their own digital story, and not just passive participants.
But What Can I Do?
That’s a fair question. Here are my top five tips:
Teach "Digital Stranger Danger": Actively teach your children not to share personal information with anyone they don't know online. Explain that the "stranger danger" rules from the physical world also apply in the digital one.
Practise Media Literacy Together: When you come across news, articles, or social media posts online, use it as an opportunity to teach your child to question the source, evaluate the information critically, and understand the potential motives behind the content.
Frame Screen Time as a Choice: Instead of simply saying "no," offer engaging alternatives to screen-based activities. Help your children develop self-control by setting clear, consistent boundaries and encouraging them to choose between digital and non-digital fun.
Explain the Digital Footprint: Discuss the concept of a permanent digital footprint with your children. Help them understand that what they post online can stay there forever, and teach them to be thoughtful about their online presence and the long-term consequences of what they share.
Extend Your Parenting Values Online: Treat online interactions and digital behaviour as an extension of your traditional parenting. Emphasise kindness, respect, and safety in both the physical and digital worlds, ensuring your core values guide your child's conduct online.
Ultimately, parenting in the digital age is about extending our traditional parenting values into a new and evolving space. It’s about teaching our children to be kind, respectful, and safe, whether they are on the playground or online.
Thanks for reading!
I hope this has been a useful look at how the digital world impacts parenting. If you have any questions, tips, or experiences you'd like to share, please leave a comment below. I'm always keen to hear from you and learn from your perspectives.
Until next time, take care of yourself; check in on your friends; and remember: you can do this. You're awesome!
Carl Headley-Morris
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Borba, M. (1978). Self-esteem, a Classroom Affair: 101 ways to help children like themselves.
Brummelman, E., Crocker, J., & Bushman, B. J. (2016). The praise paradox: When and why praise backfires in children with low self-esteem.
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Journal of School Psychology, 36, 7–27.Koretz, D. M. (2009). Measuring Up. Harvard University Press.
Nelsen, J.(Ed.), Lott L., & Glenn, S. H. (2011). Positive Discipline in the Classroom, Revised 3rd Edition: Developing Mutual Respect, Cooperation, and Responsibility in Your Classroom.
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