Tips To Guide Your Teen Through Social Networking Sites To Combat The Side Effects Of Digital Devices And Technology
As a parent, guiding your teen through social networking sites is important as they learn to use them responsibly. It is essential that you set boundaries with your teen so that they do not spend too much time on these sites and experience the negative effects of digital devices and technology. Understandably, you may be concerned about your teen’s usage of social networking sites. You will be able to guide them in using them responsibly and limit the adverse effects when you are more aware of the benefits that they can bring.
This post will offer tips on how to help your teen avoid the side effects of digital devices and technology by managing their time well.
Tips To Help Your Kids To Avoid Side Effects Of Digital Devices And Technology
Do you know what all the Apps do that your child uses? First, understand more about the leading Apps here. Next, there are many benefits to social networking sites, including new opportunities for learning and connecting with others. However, some risks come with using such technologies. Here are some tips to guide your teen through social networking sites to combat the side effects of digital devices and technology:
Foster emotional and attentional self-awareness
One of the first steps to combating digital devices’ side effects is learning to be more aware of their impact on your emotional state. Parents can help teens develop this awareness by encouraging them to pay attention to how they feel when using technology and then think about what they did before or after using it that made them feel that way. This will help teens learn how their behavior affects how they feel and act online.
Balance breadth and focus in intellectual development
Digital devices offer much information but often provide little guidance on how to use it effectively or efficiently. Parents can help teens develop better critical thinking skills by encouraging them to choose a few sites or apps that best fit their interests, needs, and goals, then explore those resources thoroughly before exploring other options or activities.
Prioritize offline connections
Make sure you prioritize offline connections over online ones. Encourage your teen to disconnect from technology for one hour each day and spend time with family and friends. Also, ensure they understand online relationships are not the same as offline ones. Encourage them to make real-life friends and spend time with them in person.
Support teens’ social lives online and off
Support your teen’s efforts to maintain healthy social lives online by encouraging them to make intelligent decisions about what they post online or share with others using apps and sites like Youtube, Snapchat, or Instagram. Help them think about how others might perceive something before posting it publicly. You can set rules for how much time they can spend on their devices each day or week and encourage them to put down their phone when talking to you or others in person. This will help them focus on what’s happening around them in the present moment.
Monitor their device usage
Set parental controls on their devices so you can monitor their activity and limit how long they spend on social media sites, gaming apps, or websites promoting self-harm or suicide (such as Tumblr). You can also create an account for yourself on these sites so that if your teen posts something inappropriate or alarming, you’ll be notified immediately so you can control them.
Watch for trouble
Digital devices are everywhere, at home, school, and even in the car. If you’re not careful, your teen could be using them when they’re supposed to be paying attention in class or driving on the freeway. If you suspect your teen spends too much time on their phone or computer, ask them about it and find out what they’re doing online. Be sure you know where they are when they’re online, so you can monitor their activities and ensure they aren’t putting themselves at risk or getting into trouble.
Be a role model
Your teen will look up to you and want to emulate your behavior — whether positive or negative, so set a good example by using technology responsibly. Make sure you don’t send inappropriate messages or post anything embarrassing on social media sites; not only will this help protect yourself from embarrassment, but it also sets an example for your child that this behavior isn’t acceptable online. Your teen will see how you interact with friends online, and then they will be more likely to follow suit. If they see that you have rules and boundaries, they will likely follow suit.
Make Tech a Family Affair
Make sure you’re on board with any new device that enters your home. If your teen wants a gaming system or tablet, make sure you set some rules and guidelines for how they’re used — and stick to them! If your teen isn’t allowed online after 9 p.m., make sure they understand why and stick with this rule even if they beg or plead. This way, they won’t feel like they have total control over their devices but rather that they are part of a team working together as a family.
Set time limits
Set a time limit for screen time and stick to it! For example, if you know your child has homework that needs to be completed after dinner, set a timer for 30 minutes of screen time after dinner. Make sure the timer is loud enough so it can be heard from another room so that everyone knows when the time limit is up. If the timer goes off and there are still things left on their list, they need to start over again with the next day’s homework. Also, ensure no ‘extensions’ are given or allowed because this reinforces bad habits!
Conclusion
To sum it up, remember that technology is both a blessing and a curse. It offers many benefits for us as humans, but there are also many negative consequences we need to be aware of. Our teens are at higher risk, and their brains are still developing, so we need to engage them early and often in dialogues about how they treat the digital world. Of course, you can’t be with your teen 24/7, but by sharing these tips with them here and regularly discussing them, you can help prepare them for the real world.
