Online Safety

It is no surprise to most parents that we live in an unprecedented time of technology and social media. Schools utilize technology in the classrooms, and we also use it at home, and while this is beneficial to the education of our children, it also opens up an opportunity for their knowledge and ability to surpass ours. As a parent myself, I’m often overwhelmed by the new trends and emerging technology that my kids are exposed to. Keeping your children safe while also using this advancing technology can feel formidable, but I have put together some general tips that may help.

Social Media

• As we think about how to guide and counsel our children regarding safe social media use, I think it is important to first evaluate how we use it. It is so important to model positive actions for our kids and lead by example. You can start by putting your phone away at certain times, such as dinner, family time or other important events, and encourage your children to do the same.
• You should also have conversations with your children about their media use:
  • How are they using it?
  • Is there anything concerning that they notice?
• Keep that conversation open and ongoing. Set rules and limitations regarding use. For example no social media until age 13, putting phones away before going to bed, and no cell phones in the bedroom.
• As parents, we need to be discussing what content we believe is inappropriate for our children (such as sex, drugs, violence, etc.) and set limitations on their devices, if possible. Monitor computer browser histories, be familiar with popular social media sites and discuss cyberbullying (also discussed below). Be clear about what your expectations are. It is also important to emphasize the idea of a digital footprint that once public, is difficult to erase, and could have a significant impact on their future.

Cell phone readiness

A lot of kids have access to computers and tablets for educational purposes, so what is the difference between that and an internet-capable cell phone?

For starters, they are mobile and tend to become a quick extension of everyday life, easily impacting their schoolwork, sports and sleep. As parents, we need to balance the need to have contact with our children when they are away from us with the dangers of finding inappropriate videos, interactions with predators and the distractions listed above. Here are some things to consider when evaluating if your child is ready for a cell phone:

⦁ Have they thought through how they would use it? Consider a flip phone or watch that allows for communication without the full digital access of a smartphone, especially if on the younger side.
⦁ What are your child’s unique strengths and challenges that might make having a phone more difficult? Are they good with impulse control? Do you trust their judgment when they are unsupervised?
⦁ How would you ensure your child is being a responsible phone user? Do they pay attention to lessons during E-learning days or are they easily distracted by the access to the internet?
⦁ What are other ways they can connect with friends? Teens seem to want to use a phone primarily to connect with their peers. Encourage extracurriculars and in-person interactions with friends and monitor communications via technology.
⦁ Do you have other ways to check in with them about how their life is going? Can you talk to them in the car or at mealtimes to check in about life or is it something that you should schedule on its own to keep communication open?

Cyberbullying

In today’s digital world, bullying isn’t limited to face-to-face interactions. Examples of cyberbullying include sending mean or hurtful messages to someone, sharing embarrassing photos of someone, making up and spreading untrue stories, or telling others to ignore someone and purposefully leave them out. It can happen anytime and anywhere and isn’t just limited to face-to-face interactions, which can feel more constant and overwhelming with no break or safe space. It can happen anonymously, especially when considering people (adults included!) can be a little braver when in front of a screen, and things are much easier to spread on large scale. Parents can help by discussing it with their kids often and keeping them responsible for their online actions. Make rules for your kids and stick to them. If you notice that your child is being bullied, document/screenshot what you see, support them and listen to their feelings, and use the online platform to report it as harassment if available.

For more on this and other topics, head to www.healthychildren.org. This is a great resource for health tips designed for parents by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Should a situation arise in which your child needs to be admitted to a hospital, remember that Hendricks Regional Health’s dedicated pediatric unit is staffed 24/7 to care for children from birth to 18 years. Learn more at hendricks.org/pediatrics.