Parenting Content // Fostering A Positive Relationship Between Your Kids And Technology*

The chances are that it was less than an hour ago that your fourteen year old asked whether they could use their tablet to see what their friends were up to on the world of Instagram. It is becoming increasingly hard, in an age of technology, social media, and virtual reality, to say no. As a parent, you want to ensure that you children are receiving the best upbringing, with opportunities to become technologically savvy. But you are afraid of them becoming technologically reliant. When the choice is heading to the beach or playing a shoot ‘em up on their Xbox, you ache for them to choose the beach. So how can you best ensure that your children maintain a healthy relationship with technology?

Computers
The lure of the laptop to a child can be irresistible. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat have made it easier than ever before for individuals to see into other people’s lives. This is no different for your children. They are keen to show off their lives (however realistic this may be) and want to snoop into their friends lives too. It’s not unusual to see teenagers up and down the country photographing their meals to upload onto the Internet for all to critique. However, it’s essential your child knows when to ease off on the laptop or tablet usage. As a responsible parent, it’s wise to set up a timetable or rota. You may even want to entrust your child with a time limit each day for tablet use, and allow them to take this time as they see fit. This way you are giving your child the responsibility that they so often crave. It goes without saying that safety filter settings should be installed on every device that you child has access to.

Smartphones
Like many adults, children crave the latest, best, most expensive smartphone in the market. If their friends are in possession of the handset they like the look of, the craving is even more intense. Children naturally compete and peer pressure dictates that they want to be on a par with their classmates. By sourcing the advice of a company like HandsetExpert, you’ll be able to explore all of the smartphone options and work out which one best suits your child’s needs. The chances are that your little darlings won’t need the finest camera capability but may find more use in the option of having a waterproof phone if your child is particularly accident prone.

Television
If your parents ever told you not to sit too close to the television or you might get square eyes, they were only veering ever so slightly from the truth. Television can have an effect on a child’s eyesight if they watch too much, with eye strain being the most common ailment. With a sensible routine, television can enhance your child’s learning, allowing them to escape into a land of animal documentaries and travel series. Too much of anything is not a good thing. In moderation, television can be a hugely positive experience.

Next time your children ask to pick up their smartphone, sit them down and discuss your family technology rules. Make them together as a family and stick to them as a family and your children will maintain a positive relationship with technology.