Children And Access To The Internet: How To Deal With It?
Children and access to the internet is one of the issues that most concerns parents today. New technologies and network access are relatively recent issues. Due to the lack of references from their own childhood and the ignorance of this new world, parents may feel confused about the limits that should be set for their children.
Children and internet access: one more tool
For adults, the ease with which children handle electronic devices may seem surprising. They develop and enjoy the technological world almost intuitively.
So it’s unrealistic to try to keep our kids out of the online world. They are children of their time and excessive restriction of their access to the Internet can deprive them of an important part of social and educational development.
The internet is a tool that, depending on the use given to it, can be positive or negative. On the one hand, it provides information, fun and a new way of communicating with people around us. This last feature is particularly prominent in the case of young people.
On the other hand, it allows access to content that may be unsuitable for minors. Furthermore, due to the immediacy of the reward it offers, it can make children more impulsive, nervous or addicted to these devices.
Therefore, the best option we can choose is to apply common sense and supervision in the same way we do in other areas of our children’s lives. That is, offering guidance, setting limits and educating in values that lead the child to develop their own criteria.
Tips for dealing with children’s internet access
Information
First, to deal with our children’s internet access, it is necessary to really know what we are up against. It is not beneficial for children to know more about the network and devices than their parents. So, try to get informed and try to become familiar with this world as much as possible.
That is, it is necessary to have a basic level of knowledge of these technological devices. But we also need to know the social networks or video games our children are exposed to. Only then can we form a definite opinion and set appropriate limits.
On the other hand, we must provide our children with true information about the internet. That is, explain your pros and cons and talk about the dangers involved. Just as we advise them not to talk to strangers on the street, we should do the same with strangers on the hammock.
Basic rules such as not sharing personal information or contacting strangers should be made clear to children. And not just because we’re saying it, but because they understand there’s a real danger.
Limits
As parents, we must monitor and take care of our children’s use of network access. For this, it is convenient for the computer to be in a common area of the house and for us to be present while they browse.
We must set limits on the hours of use of technological devices and the content that can be accessed. There are different parental control software that allow us to restrict and monitor these two aspects.
Confidence
Establishing a bond of mutual respect and trust with our children is one of the best resources. Try to be a part of your child’s life, both online and offline. Instead of judging or criticizing your online behavior, be flexible and be available to guide it.
It is important to control so that children do not share personal information or photographs without our supervision, but try to balance control with trust. Let them show they are responsible.
Balance
Finally, we need to see Internet access as an extra part of our lives. We shouldn’t eliminate it completely, but neither should we allow it to absorb our children’s entire time.
It is not beneficial to use electronic devices as a babysitter or allow them to be used by children as an escape from reality.
It is important to offer other leisure alternatives: reading, board games, family outings. We must show them the great value of social interaction and living in the flesh, which can never be replaced by the internet.
