Connected Children in Digital era

Connected children in the digital era

When we were small, our parents did not like us to sit in front of the TV or listen to the radio. They did not envision the world that we are living in today.

Similarly, we do not like the way our children are using the internet, as we refuse to envision the world they will be taking over and living in. 

Many parents feel frustrated to see their  children detached from everything else, their loss of attention to other things, the need for frequent reminders, the inability to keep the conversation going. Most of the time kids focus is on screens, whether laptop, desktop, phone, or other gadgets.

Adults need to acknowledge that change has taken place and technology/internet is part of everyday life. 

It is so good to learn online, so much is achievable in less time; there is no need to go to the library or bookstore. No need to wait, excellent explanations, different perspectives. Even exercise involves a screen, there is an online trainer and places on maps to go as well as an instant summary of calories burnt, heart rate, time spent, etc. Pictures on social media are memories. Staying away from the internet means disconnection from many friends and relatives, isolation can occur.

  The real issue is not the availability and use of technology by kids but it is our technophobia and inability to keep up with it, and also the difficulty in giving up the traditional ways of raising children. Ask yourself- is it fair to expect children to live the same life, which we did. Did we live the same life as our parents?

The whole struggle is that adults do not want to change and have limitations in adjusting to new developments and innovations and are hesitant in accepting new norms.

 Should we be enforcing our childhood on our children or should we help them navigate there new world, their own technologically better world? 

Our parents called TV an idiot box. The TV is not an idiot box, the users are if they do not make a choice and watch whatever is best for them.

So, instead of being in constant struggle with them let us figure out what is the solution and how to raise a responsible gen Z in this wired world so that they are ready to excel when it is time to take over the globe and space. Taking away the online world is not going to be helpful. Difference between addiction and safe use should be clear. Try to become a strong pillar for them, not a stumbling block or obstacle. Children need help in navigating the online world; they do not need scolding and punishment. Guide them in this new era.

Discuss the following:

1. Safe use of internet

2. Security measures

3. Responsible use of technology

4. Thinking before writing or posting

5. Filtering unnecessary and unsafe content

6. How to deal with cyberbullying and data phishing

7. Staying away from trolls

8. Legal and ethical aspects of the online world

Periodic reminders and discussion is the key to the responsible and safe use of the internet.

Jan 26, 2021
Quiet or boring times are required to observe, think, analyze, and process. Understanding comes, new ideas arrive, and creativity enhances.
Excessive use of social media takes away the free time and makes us lose discipline and control over time and electronics use. We then are controlled by screens instead of controlling those. With it comes a lot of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, physical inactivity, fake relationships, loss of personal and intimate relations, compulsiveness, and mechanical responses.

June 15, 2021
Social media is making people go in extreme directions. People see their own groups and get brain washed. They do not tolerate or hear views of other sides. Many times listening to other side makes our own narrative wrong.

Bharti Raizada