Straight path …. by Sarah Gadd
A few weeks ago, the tech team at my school sent out a survey on technology use to to our stakeholders who are parents. We had a low response rate with only 53 responders. It’s been interesting for me to read the responses and get glimpses of what parents worry about, and what they’re hopeful for.
How Parents Limit/Control Technology Use
We asked “What rules do you have at home to guide your child(ren)’s technology use?”. Parents could skip the question if so inclined. Some parents had no concerns and/or no rules. Other parents took some actions:
- Time limits for technology use.
- Technology only used in public spaces (except with permission).
- Parents have passwords to Facebook and e-mail accounts and check child’s activity.
- Online activities are frequently checked with the child’s knowledge.
- Limits on viewing content.
- Limits on types of information/comments that child can post.
- Technology only for homework use on weekdays.
- Limited “fun” time for computer use on weekends.
- Child uses parent’s account on the computer.
- Regularly monitor the websites that children visited and explain to them what they can do and can’t.
- Use Netnanny or other tool to filter access and block particular (kinds of) sites.
- Screen time (all devices) is limited and done in the company of an adult.
- No downloading without permission.
- Game playing can occur on weekend when permitted.
- Cut-off time for bed.
- Required breaks away from the technology.
- Limit the amount of time he can use the computer.
- Screen time is limited to approx. 30 min/day, regardless of whether it is TV, games or computer
- PC use is for school work.
- Use computers only after homework is finished.
- WIFI turned off when child uses iPad unless parent with him.
- Spy on child’s Facebook account.
- Recreational technology uses only allowed if grades maintained above a certain threshold.
- No technology in the bedroom.
Do regular homework before iDevice learning.
Most responders have rules about time spent using technology devices. I’ve written before about the importance of having agreements with children to guide them in using technology responsibly. I think that it’s important to be proactive rather than reactive where possible. If you do not have an agreement with your child(ren) on their technology use, I urge you to create one if your child independently uses a technology device. (Note that you may need more than one if you have children of various age ranges.) Here are some ideas for developing agreements with your children:
- Sit down for this discussion in a comfortable space at an appropriate time (check for negative emotions, tiredness and other feelings that could compromise the discussion).
- Discuss when (at night, on weekends, during the school day, etc.), where (at school, in public spaces, at the dinner table, etc.), and how (downloading apps, installing programs, creating accounts, surfing the web, playing games, chatting, texting, etc.) the children are allowed to use the technology.
- Consider scenarios that may occur that present a moral dilemma (it is a good idea to discuss this issue with friends or research online beforehand for some ideas).
- Discuss possible reactions/solutions to the moral dilemmas.
- Discuss the impact of reactions/solutions and prioritize them
- Discuss additional factors that might make it hard for your children to make good choices (peer pressure, concerns about personal safety, etc.)
- Write down the guidelines/agreement and keep it visible (especially for older children)
- Discuss (and possibly write down) consequences for not following the agreement.
- Have a maintenance/review cycle for the agreement.
Limiting time and having an agreement is only part of guiding your child’s development in the digital world. Regularly discuss his/her life with her. Know what accounts that he holds and what options he has for participation in those spaces. Discuss her virtual friends. Discuss situations that come up in the news and share your perspectives and points of view. Be part of his/her digital life, where possible. This may mean playing World of Warcraft or Minecraft to know what it is, visiting PInterest and reading about how it works, exploring Tumblr, etc. I intend to look up Zorpia because I’ve gotten a number of (possibly unintentional) invites from students to join it recently. I anticipate that it’s another social network (and I certainly don’t need another one of those in my life) but I’ll look it up to find out what it’s all about. It’s my responsibility as an educator, and yours as a parent, to know what children are doing online, to think about how I can help them traverse the online world safely, to teach them to be a good (digital) citizen. I hope that you’re on this journey with me.