'Parenting in a digital world' by Digital Awareness
Have you introduced a tech bucket? Or agreed no phones at the dinner table? Digital Rights activist and Co-Founder of Digital Awareness, Emma Robertson presented the difficulties we face as parents navigating online safety in an ever-evolving digital landscape during a topical webinar exclusively for Dukes Club members. Following a global pandemic that launched a spike in hybrid working, screens have never been more crucial to keep the world turning, however, at what cost to young people? Emma affirmed the importance of being a good role model, to demonstrate good digital citizenship so that your children emulate your behaviour. Sadly, it’s not enough to prevent children from exposure, they will access it via other avenues but keeping the lines of communication open is imperative. Concerned parents often blame technology but over a decade in the industry has taught Emma that the experiences ‘geriatric millennials’ faced in their teenage years can align in a digital capacity. Exclusion, racism, self esteem and bullying were as prolific (and more so) in the nineties and noughties as they are today, so sharing experiences of a childhood offline isn’t so different to their childhood in our contemporary online world – it just needs context.
Personality can often dictate what your child can handle, cyber-safety guru Robertson identified the varying levels of support required for different children and to concentrate on the 4 c’s – content, contact, conduct and commerce. The eager audience contributed to case studies prepared by Robertson and filled the Q&A with questions of how to keep a watchful eye but maintain trust. By setting boundaries when social media is first introduced the pathway to communication can remain a calm and understanding one. Anger and explosive behaviour from a parent won’t help a child trying to navigate an online world created by adults for adults. Go for a walk, have a chat in the car enroute to judo – less interrogation tactics more sideways discussion. And turn off autoplay on Netflix, take a breath from tech.
If you want to learn more about PEGI ratings, how to be more positive about tech and who to contact if your child experiences content abuse visit www.digitalawarenessuk.com.
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