3. We need to teach our kids that online and on screen actions have consequences.
Have you have had a friend or family member say something to you via text or email and wondered about the tone? Have you ever had your feelings hurt from a text? Or a photo shared on social media that you didn’t want shared? I have, and chances are you have too. Our kids have to live in this environment every day for the rest of their lives. They need to learn that what happens online or even via text can’t be taken back. It is there, on a screen forever. These actions have consequences and can’t be taken back. Talk to your kids about safety and what should and shouldn’t be done online. Explain to them that what they see online can’t be taken back. I talk to your kids about what they should and shouldn’t see or look at on the internet. Have screen free zones where electronic devices aren’t allowed. We should strive to keep our kids safe in a media saturated world.
The world is a lot different than it was when we were growing up, and I don’t always think that is a good thing. My kids access to hand held devices has been limited, and that is rare, but I still think they spend more time attached to a screen then I would like. I know that I spend way more time attached to my iphone than I should be. So, how do we change it? How do we raise social children in a world that is driven by electronic screens? I believe that Growing up Social gives us some good guidelines and tips for raising social kids in a screen driven world.
