Like everything in life, the Internet has good and bad sides. But the presence of toxicity and negativity online doesn’t erase all the good that it comes with. It’s just that users have to be more careful not to cross over to the bad side if they can help it, or at least avoid doing so as much as possible. However, your children won’t be aware of these risks when they’re using the Internet unless you enlighten them.
But try not to demonize the Internet or technology as a whole because simply instilling fear never works. If you truly want your kids to understand the good and bad parts of the existing in the digital world, then you have to teach them about how to be wary of their online activities. The eventual dependence on technology is inevitable.
Instead of highlighting the risks of using the Internet and what can happen to them if they’re not careful, choose to focus on the benefits that modern technology can offer to their lives. You can also teach them how to take advantage of these benefits without sacrificing their health and well-being in the process.
The most important thing is that you’re able to guide them to the best of your abilities. No matter how much you try to deny it, your kids will learn how to stand on their own two feet and require less of your guidance as they grow older. That’s why you must instill these values in them while they’re still learning to navigate the world on their own.
Besides, the advantages of modern technology and the Internet can easily outweigh all the disadvantages they come with. So consider focusing on those when you’re teaching your kids about the digital world. If you’re not sure where to start, you can begin here because technology can:
Make Life Easier and Convenient
One of the biggest benefits of modern technology is that it can make life easier. It’s evident in how much people rely on their household appliances for their errands, vehicles for transportation, and even their smartphones for real-time communication. If technology doesn’t exist, people will still be using rudimentary tools, horses, and snail mail for these things.
It’s also much more convenient to shop for what you need online rather than have to physically go to the store and back when you’re strapped for time. This means that you can buy your baby essentials online and have them delivered to your doorstep, all while you take care of your growing child.
Although some people may say that technology is making society lazier, it can also be seen from an entirely different perspective. This is because by solving petty grievances and minor inconveniences through technology, people will have more time to focus on their tasks that require all their attention.
Foster Education and Learning
For all the evil that comes with the Internet, it can also bring a lot of good, especially for the sake of education and learning. This is because there are plenty of learning materials, academic resources, and educational apps that you or your kids can take advantage of. Plus, most of these are free to use.
Your kids may not find physical libraries and stacks of books intriguing, but they might be inclined to start learning a foreign language because of a mobile app. Or they may be more interested to learn about space and time because they can see it visualized in an interactive module rather than having to read about it in books.
Modern technology is much more accessible to different kinds of learners. Because the Internet is a melting pot for all the people in the world, your kids may find the motivation to enjoy lifelong learning, even outside the bounds of their school or the formal education they’re receiving there.
Provide Sources of Entertainment
Of course, the Internet is a never-ending well of entertainment. You can find and access just about anything you can think of on the Internet, which is almost like a double-edged sword. If you’re allowing your kids to use the Internet for entertainment, you might want to oversee their activities until they’re old enough to know what websites and apps to avoid.
There are child-friendly mobile apps and browser controls that you can look into to make your kids’ online experience safer and more comfortable. But because you won’t always be there to shadow their activities, you can teach them how to use their devices properly. This way, you’ll be helping them become more confident in their decision-making skills at the same time.
It would be hypocritical of you to keep your children away from the Internet and mobile devices if you’re heavily reliant on them for your day-to-day activities. So, instead of telling them what not to do, show them the right way of using these modern innovations. That way, they’ll learn about what they should and shouldn’t do before you even get the chance to tell them.
