A Parent’s Guide to Tackling Teen Technology Today
It’s a technological mismatch, we parents vs. teens and preteens.
They grew up on Wi-Fi and touchscreens. We learned on floppy discs and dot-matrix printers. When kids begin to explore more than Dora and Webkinz online, parents struggle to stay on top. On top of technology, of trends, of tracking what our kids do online.
We can feign competency for only so long. At some point, the lie of an all-seeing app tracker we keep in our ancient flip phone will become exposed. There is a way, however, to craft a game plan specific to your family situation, save face, and find compromise.
We’ve broken down the Four Horsemen of Tech Entanglements:
Apps
Internet
Smartphones
Television/video games …show more content…
Often, a bully also suffers from bully behavior. Ask your child if something happened to start this. Watch Internet and phone activity to remove opportunities.
If your teen overshares photos/personal information, set rules
Teens often overshare or go over the top to gain peer approval, or stand out among other users. Ask teens to consider these questions before publishing a picture of post:
WHY? | Am I hoping for approval? Is it at someone’s expense? Reward through likes and favorites can have an addictive effect. Users should share to share, not to gain a measure of validation for what they are – or what someone else isn’t.
WHAT OF KINDNESS? | Comments, posts and reactions feel like a birthright. It is necessary? Would I say something like this face-to-face? How would I feel were I the subject of a meme or comment? Consider the effect the post will have on others.
WHAT’S MY MOOD? | I’ve found posts published when I’m happy have the best value. It’s easy to rant or rip, but does it make a difference? If we’re angry or sad, is there a better way to deal with that than to take to a 140-character dagger?
Smartphones
What they …show more content…
Did you know Xbox comes with a feature to turn off after a preset time you determine? Many portable devices also have a timer mechanism. These can work. To foster a child’s interests outside of gaming leads not only to a solution, but a positive life change.
If your teen mimics negative behavior on a favorite show, then you should watch a few episodes.
It shouldn’t be tough to find the characters he’s emulating.
HECK YOUR KID’S HISTORY | Check recently watched in Netflix settings, or DVR listings. Check ratings, and reference Common Sense Media for ratings and reviews.
WATCH WHAT THEY WATCH | Scout out the antagonist in your teens’ favorite shows. Recognize any behavior? Whether it’s a tween comedy or adult drama, he or she might be emulating behavior that gets rewarded on TV.
FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO | Work together on this. A teen and parent can find a hobby together. Try running, disc golf, antiquing, or something you both have interest in. A child will depend less on the escape TV and video games can provide. You’ll be better off for it, too.
See if you recognize behavior in their recently-viewed programs. If you do: Have your child watch it with you. Stop the show during moments of disrespect or other behavior your child has exhibited. Ask your child to help come up with alternative
It’s a technological mismatch, we parents vs. teens and preteens.
They grew up on Wi-Fi and touchscreens. We learned on floppy discs and dot-matrix printers. When kids begin to explore more than Dora and Webkinz online, parents struggle to stay on top. On top of technology, of trends, of tracking what our kids do online.
We can feign competency for only so long. At some point, the lie of an all-seeing app tracker we keep in our ancient flip phone will become exposed. There is a way, however, to craft a game plan specific to your family situation, save face, and find compromise.
We’ve broken down the Four Horsemen of Tech Entanglements:
Apps
Internet
Smartphones
Television/video games …show more content…
Often, a bully also suffers from bully behavior. Ask your child if something happened to start this. Watch Internet and phone activity to remove opportunities.
If your teen overshares photos/personal information, set rules
Teens often overshare or go over the top to gain peer approval, or stand out among other users. Ask teens to consider these questions before publishing a picture of post:
WHY? | Am I hoping for approval? Is it at someone’s expense? Reward through likes and favorites can have an addictive effect. Users should share to share, not to gain a measure of validation for what they are – or what someone else isn’t.
WHAT OF KINDNESS? | Comments, posts and reactions feel like a birthright. It is necessary? Would I say something like this face-to-face? How would I feel were I the subject of a meme or comment? Consider the effect the post will have on others.
WHAT’S MY MOOD? | I’ve found posts published when I’m happy have the best value. It’s easy to rant or rip, but does it make a difference? If we’re angry or sad, is there a better way to deal with that than to take to a 140-character dagger?
Smartphones
What they …show more content…
Did you know Xbox comes with a feature to turn off after a preset time you determine? Many portable devices also have a timer mechanism. These can work. To foster a child’s interests outside of gaming leads not only to a solution, but a positive life change.
If your teen mimics negative behavior on a favorite show, then you should watch a few episodes.
It shouldn’t be tough to find the characters he’s emulating.
HECK YOUR KID’S HISTORY | Check recently watched in Netflix settings, or DVR listings. Check ratings, and reference Common Sense Media for ratings and reviews.
WATCH WHAT THEY WATCH | Scout out the antagonist in your teens’ favorite shows. Recognize any behavior? Whether it’s a tween comedy or adult drama, he or she might be emulating behavior that gets rewarded on TV.
FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO | Work together on this. A teen and parent can find a hobby together. Try running, disc golf, antiquing, or something you both have interest in. A child will depend less on the escape TV and video games can provide. You’ll be better off for it, too.
See if you recognize behavior in their recently-viewed programs. If you do: Have your child watch it with you. Stop the show during moments of disrespect or other behavior your child has exhibited. Ask your child to help come up with alternative