Raising kids In The World Of Digital

                      Bringing up a child as a parent in this world of Digital is getting Difficult. Parenting today presents a separate set of challenges as parents catch with issues related to the Internet, new technology and social media. Some parents would say that dealing with a child in the digital world is enough to reduce a parent to a quivering mass of self-doubt and anxiety. But seriously, is parenting today such a nightmare? 

Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you?

-Your toddler can finger swipe on a smartphone and find her favorite video channel all by herself – at 6:00 in the morning.

-Your 3 year old son is repeatedly begging for smartphone while having dinner/lunch.

-Is your daughter switching her cartoon channel by herself after school.

Hmm, some of these scenarios perfectly describe your household, or perhaps they are completely off the mark, but no matter what your household looks like, there are 5 practical things that any parent can do to help their child to survive in the digital age.

1.Celebrate the opportunities in the digital world, while reducing the risks-

         We see many news related to use of internet, smartphone, But parents – keep your perspective and look for the positive things that young people are doing online.  For example- A YouTuber, Samay made a video that broke down the Nobel-acclaimed concept of Autophagy,

       Internet, social media and technology can present fantastic opportunities for our children, provided that our children use these tools in a responsible manner.  Parents can guide their children in responsible use even if they do not have tech skills.  Common sense, experience and your own parenting style will go a long way.

2. Start the conversation and keep it going-

     You don’t need to know any of the terms in order to talk to your child. You only have to ask about their favorite game, their favorite parts, what they like to do, etc.  Although your child will be impressed if you talk about some new technology in the conversation, its not compulsory. you can become child with them while having conversation with your child.so that they will also start talk to you with easily.In this way sometimes they will share their thoughts,feelings.

   For all aspects of your child’s online activities.  The key here is to start the conversation, get involved in your child’s digital life and stay involved.

3. Be a digital role model-

      Let me repeat that one: “Be a digital role model.” That means putting down your smartphone, tablet or laptop and looking into your child’s eyes and listening. I mean really listening.  A lot of parents think that screen balance is just for children and young people, but the truth is many adults are in need of some digital detox and downtime as well.

A recent survey of children noted their expectations of technology use in their families: be present, moderate use, supervise children, no texting while driving, no hypocrisy and – wait for it – no oversharing. No more taking tons of photos of your child and posting it all of your Facebook accounts. Interesting change up, isn’t it?

4. Teach your child to be Flexible-

     Parents can teach their children to be flexible which will allow their child adjust in any situation so that they will not depend on technology.Parents can help their children increase their social and emotional skills so that children will be able to understand and manage their emotions and their online social worlds.

Daniel Goleman has said that “Family life is our first school for emotional learning: in this intimate cauldron we learn how to feel about ourselves and how others will react to our feelings; how to think about these feelings and fears.”

5. DIY Activities-

        There are lots of “Do It Yourself” activities on internet. Both parents and child can do that activities at home.so that all family will involve in this way which will make a child to explore new things with their family. The child will also enjoy his family time.This will reduce child time which he/she spend with technology. Doing DIY activities at home, children will try to do that activities by themselves.

       At the end it depend on parents how they deal with their child if he/she using smartphone.if you observe your child carefully you will find how much time your child is spending on laptop ,smartphone or TV. From beginning if you restrict usage of gadgets then it will not cause any big problem.but if you suddenly going to change their time,children's will be fussy.  When gadgets are used correctly, in moderation, and coupled with other activities, the use of technology can be beneficial to your child’s development. But with a warning that uncontrolled usage or overuse can cause problems