Below are some ideas about what we are protecting kids from, and ways that we can create safer digital environments and raise kids to have a healthy relationship to media.
Balance: 1. A safe environment, 2. On/Offline Activities, 3 Media Literacy and Communicating about their Online Lives.
There are definitely things we can do, and ways we can approach media use with our kids that will help keep them informed, and safe online. However, we live in a world where people are connected to internet-connected devices 24/7. This comes with amazing benefits, but like everything else: too much of a good thing can be unhealthy, and there are precautions we take to keep our kids safe.
Along with setting up protection on our computers, tablets, gaming systems, etc. (which is compared to using seatbelts in a car), families need to teach, and model for kids, healthy habits, and create boundaries around their digital lives. This is part of being ‘media literate’ — able to navigate the digital world with their minds on, to use it for fun, and learning in healthy ways.
And finally, there is nothing better than keeping communication open with your kids about what they are doing online, participating with them when you can, and talking about the issues that come up.
THE KEY TO MEDIA LITERACY & THINKING ABOUT MEDIA
Ask the 5 key questions when using ANY media!
- Who made it and why? (Are they trying to persuade me? Sell something? Keep me watching/playing/interacting?)
- How are they trying to get my attention? (Is it good for me to follow along?)
- What points of view are being shown? (Are they positive? Kind? Mean?)
- What, and who is left out of the message? (Could there be more information that I didn’t see? Are they only telling one persons side of the story?)
- How might different people feel about the message or see it differently than me?
HERE ARE SOME TRENDS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT THE DIGITAL WORLD IN 2024
Our attention is what is being bought and sold
Apps, websites, games, social media platforms, companies and organizations compete for our attention to promote themselves, products, services, or ideas. With our attention they can sell data about us to companies that will advertise to us. They can sell stock in their companies based on our being there to sell to.
Algorithms are working to hold our attention
Apps are learning about us based on the information we provide them in order to serve us up the content that a) they think will keep us spending time on their app, 2) they think we want…
Negative media is more popular than positive
“If it bleeds it leads” — negative stories get more attention and viewers than positive or neutral information. So, much of what we are served up by algorithms is negative, in an attempt to excite us and keep us on their apps.
Some are making connections between mental health in teens, smartphones and social media
A popular book right now called The Anxiety Generation is saying that the rise in teenage mental health issues is due to the rise of smart phone use by teens (9hrs a day), and all of the factors listed above. They recommend not giving kids smartphones until high school, no social media until age 16, and monitoring access to the internet, and giving kids more freedom in the real world.
Here are some tips and links for keeping our kids safe
Below are some hot topics and recommendations for us to discuss, followed by resources to help you get set up and keep thinking:
- Balance time on devices with in-person activities: Not all screen time is equal. Some learning apps are good, homework can be on the computer, research, and even positive gaming and entertainment. Pay attention to what they are doing online, and no more than 1-2 hours per day for recreational use, with additional time allowed for educational purposes.
- Age-Appropriate Content: Ensuring that all content, including games, videos, and websites, is age-appropriate and suitable for their developmental stage.
- Supervised Internet Browsing, and use Safe Search Tools: Encouraging supervised internet browsing, especially for younger children, and using child-friendly search engines and filters to block inappropriate content.
- Gaming Guidelines: Allowing gaming in moderation, with time limits and restrictions on violent or mature content. Encourage outdoor play and other non-screen activities as well.
- Device-Free Zones: Designating certain areas of the home, such as the dinner table or bedrooms, as device-free zones to promote family interaction and better sleep hygiene.
- Parental Controls: Utilizing parental control tools and settings on devices and apps to monitor usage, set time limits, and block inappropriate content.
- Open Communication: Maintaining open communication with your child about their online activities, encouraging them to ask questions and report any concerning or uncomfortable experiences.
- Modeling Behavior: Modeling healthy digital habits yourself, such as limiting your own screen time, engaging in offline activities, and prioritizing face-to-face interactions.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
COMMON SENSE MEDIA: (Overview of parental controls, protecting devices from sexual content, how to talk to young kids about online sexual content)
PODCAST CONVERSATION ABOUT GAMING, LIMITS AND BENEFITS
The Bronx S.T.E.M. & Arts Academy 