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The answer to any technology-oriented problem is better communication. I had problems with my kids use of social media - until I involved myself in it with the
by aa-jv 5y ago
The answer to any technology-oriented problem is better communication.
I had problems with my kids use of social media - until I involved myself in it with them, so that I could see the things they were learning and enjoying. And then, having established the reality of their world, I communicated with them about my concerns - the tracking, the groupthink, the dangers of online interactions with strangers.
Most important of all, I gained their trust and inspected their phones, and read their conversations. Yes, there were definitely things to be concerned about - and so we discussed it, rationally, and have established a 'review schedule' where I can get involved in their digital lives a little more.
Its not easy. Teenagers are obstinate and difficult at best of times. But parenting is important, and the basis of all good parenting is the ability to communicate with your kids.
- prox 5y agoIt’s great to hear you are involved in their lives without being overbearing. I guess all a kid wants to know/feel is that their parent will be there for them.
- WerBn 5y agoYes. While it looks like there is no silver bullet for this, this looks like the better approach
- KptMarchewa 5y agoThanks for being a good parent.
- paskozdilar 5y agoThis is (IMHO) a very good approach. Most parents don't realize how little control they actually have over their kids' lives. If a parent doesn't provide a consequence-free communication channel with a child, the child will quickly learn that communication leads to punishment and will refuse to communicate.
- Certhas 5y ago> The answer to any technology-oriented problem is better communication. I agree with this for the question of what to do in the concrete situation of handling your kids. In a larger sense though the answer to technology can be also regulation and laws. To keep kids safe today we have an infinitude of regulations specifying how kids toys, stairways, etc... are to be built. Some of this is over the top, but it would also be insane to expect parents to inspect the precise chemical composition of every toy their kid gets, and research how toxic it might be. We need to build a societal agreement that data gathered in the name of targeting advertisment is toxic, and ban it. No "consent opt-in/opt-out" either, just a ban. This will obviously take time to get right. And it would make Google poorer so it will be hard to get this done. Think environmental regulations that started with social movements in the 60s/70s and are strong enough to do their job only decades later.