Parenting in the Digital Age: What You Need To Know

Technology has grown a lot over the last few generations, and it’s playing a larger role in our lives than ever before. As such, it’s only natural that your own children will want to get in on the fun. However, as with any other thing in life, these devices come with risks. It’s vital that we know exactly how to parent in the digital age and what this means for our children moving forward. Here’s what you need to know.

The Role of Modern Technology

The role of technology in parenting has changed drastically since the invention of the smartphone. Whether we’re watching our favorite shows, playing games, or working on professional matters, technology has a hand in everything. Modern tech is a great way for children to enrich their lives and learn new things; it can even keep them in better contact with their friends in the outside world. But with how many device options there are now, it’s vital that you know how to balance your child’s tech usage. Otherwise, you risk it turning from a helpful asset to a hindrance in your family’s daily routine and your child’s overall development. 

When To Introduce Your Child

One of the most important things to know about properly parenting in the digital age is the appropriate time to first introduce your child to technology. Though there are devices for children as young as two or three years old, that doesn’t always mean they’re ready for exposure to certain media at that age. In fact, children between 18 and 24 months old should have very little to no exposure to digital media at all. Your kids are still learning to navigate the physical world around them. So, throwing a new type of stimulus into the mix can be confusing and harmful in the long term. As such, you’ll want to wait until they’re at least three years old to introduce media of this type and strictly control how much they consume.

How To Monitor Tech Usage

As someone parenting in the age of digital technology, it’s vital to enforce proper boundaries for your child regarding their use of smart devices. As your child gets older, it can be beneficial to slowly incorporate digital media into their lives. However, you still want to maintain some amount of monitoring and control over the media they consume. Very young kids shouldn’t have more than one or two hours of media time a day; you’ll want to establish rules that help them stick to that guideline. These rules will also teach them safe online usage practices for when they receive their first personal device, whether it be a smartwatch or cell phone.

For a parent-approved, kid-friendly way to introduce your child to technology, reach out to TickTalk. Our kids’ smartwatches with calling are specially designed to provide your child with all the fun of owning a device without the risk of being online. With these products, you can give your child the freedom to explore their world and stay in touch with friends while keeping them safe. Contact us today to learn more about our watches and what they can do for your family.