How to help your children become a responsible digital citizen?

In my last article I wrote how to protect our children from inadvertently stumbling across harmful unwanted things on the web without buying and configuring expensive tool. I must admit, these tools may work for the kids, but teens tend to react adversely to such restrictions. They will react the way teens are programmed to – find a way to dodge. Such attempts can lead to a much riskier situation. Parents need to support their children so that they can manage their online life in a safe, responsible and effective way. Here are 5 steps to achieve that-

1.     Do not criticize– Technology has changed the way todays children are growing up even in economically challenged households. Our children appear to be the natives of this digital world leaving us feel like immigrants. Adaption of digital media is happening at an increasingly younger age across every level of the society. So please do not criticize your children if they are playing their favorite online games or are on any entertainment platform. Such negative approach makes children not wanting to talk about their digital life.

2.     Allow your child to explore – Digital world is an ocean of opportunities- be it knowledge, games, entertainment or just connecting with people. We must acknowledge that digital skill is no longer a niche. It has become an integral part of our education system and one of the core competencies for a successful career. Keeping them away from the internet will deprive them from enjoying a constructive online experience. Allow them to explore so that they don’t feel left behind. Digitally responsible behavior would only grow through exposure and experience.

3.     Create awareness and Insist on critical thinking– Being children they have not experienced the real world as much as we have . That is why these young minds are more vulnerable to cyber risks. The only way we address this issue is to  make them aware about the potential online threats like common scams, fake profile, social media usage, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, cybercrime etc. Radicalization  is one of the major threats todays generation is facing and social media platforms are the easiest and most effective way to spread the message.   Discuss these issues at home to guide children how to think critically about what they encounter on the internet.   With your support they will be equipped to distinguish between genuine and false information or trustworthy and skeptical online contacts . 

4.     Encourage them to practice digital hygiene: Just the way we ask your children to wash their hands the same way we should encourage them to practice digital hygiene. Teach your children to create strong passwords and never share them with anyone. Instruct them not to use their pet’s name or birthday as passwords. Remind them to revisit privacy settings, update browsers and anti-virus on a regular basis to keep their data safe.

5.     Let them take charge of their digital life: Step away from their digital life after setting a clear boundary for screen usage. Let them take the charge and manage their digital identity. If a child can recover from an online mistake, he can avoid making the same mistake again. Please do not forget to interact with your children on a regular basis so that you can step in whenever required.