T
by Christa Melnyk Hines
oday’s kids practically cut their teeth on electronic devices.
But as parents can attest, that doesn’t mean kids automatically know how to conduct themselves positively
and respectfully online. Introduce social media and online networking slowly and steadily from the time your
child holds his first device.
Here’s how to begin social media training your child.
C R EATE A DI GI TAL CI T I Z E NSH I P C ONT R ACT.
Online behavior is an extension of our real life. Remind your kids to treat others online in the same courteous
way they would treat people in person. By creating a family digital citizenship contract, you can open the
discussion about appropriate online conduct and clarify your family’s values, rules and consequences. Even if
your child won’t be interacting with others just yet, contracts offer a good way to begin
establishing expectations and rules around electronics.
MO DEL APPROPRI AT E
SO C IA L I NTERACTI ON . E S TA B L I SH
BOUNDA R I E S.
Your kids watch and learn from you. Show them
how you interact in social media, including
examples of your posts. Grow conscious of when
and where you use your smartphone. Put your
phone aside while driving, when your child is
talking to you and when interacting with others in
public, like a cashier or restaurant server. Make eye
contact and show courtesy toward others to help
your kids learn that the person standing in front of
them is the greater priority at the moment. Too much online use can contribute to feelings
of depression and anxiety and can affect a
child’s quality of sleep. Create “sacred spaces” or
tech-free zones like during mealtime to
encourage family conversation. Integrate
unplugged time to allow for unstructured
creativity and play. Have your children turn in
their phones or other devices at bedtime to
ensure adequate rest.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Over half of kids, 10-17, post risky
comments or photos online
• One in three teens say they feel more
accepted online than in real life
• 51% of teens, 13-17, use social
media daily
Source: GrowingWireless.com
22 | V O L U S I A
parent
MAGAZINE
According to Common Sense Media, 72 percent of kids ages 0
to 8 have used a mobile device to play games, watch videos or
use apps. The amount of time that they spend with devices
has tripled in the past three years, with some research
suggesting that kids spend an average of 7 hours a day in
front of screens.
Download a digital citizenship
contract here:
http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/uploads/KidPledge1.pdf