There is a lot of negative coverage about how young people use the internet and whether they know enough about online risks. On parentinfo.org we found an interesting article, which we (with permission of course) translated for you.
It is of course very important to make your child resilient, but the negative sides of the internet do not have to overshadow its possibilities. It is useful to also discuss the positive aspects; how children can use the internet to their advantage. These are our tips for talking to your child about using the time you spend online as smartly as possible.
1. Build friendships
Digital communication is an integral part of the lives of many children and young people. Playing games, social media and video calling are powerful tools for building and maintaining friendships. They can be especially helpful for children who have trouble with social interactions in real life. If so for your child, you can encourage digital friendships (with your support and guidance, of course).
2. Keep in touch
The lockdown has reminded us all of the importance of feeling connected to friends and family – and technology gives us the tools to do that. Your child may have been in contact with family members or friends through video calling or online games in recent months – and there’s really no reason to stop now. They are useful ways of interacting with each other if you cannot actually meet.
3. Make a difference
At school, your child learns about all kinds of social topics – from climate change to discrimination. But there are always topics they want to know more about. Talk to your child about the things that are important to them, encourage them to research them online. For example, they can look for volunteer work, or contribute to a social cause in other ways. And you might find a way to help your local community.
4. Explore the world (virtual)
Your child can learn all about art, science and other cultures online without leaving home. Many famous museums and art galleries offer free ‘virtual tours’, explaining paintings and sculptures that your child would otherwise not see. You can also find 360-degree images of world heritage sites online, such as the Machu Picchu in Peru, or the famous Christ statue in Brazil.
5. Choosing a career
It can be helpful to read what people are saying about their career choices in blogs and forums. That way you can also discover jobs that you didn’t even know existed. Whether you already know what you want to be when you grow up, or have no idea yet: extensive online research never hurts. Even if you stick to your choice, it is still useful to have digital skills and to know how to use the internet for research. If you are going to apply later, it will also be online, just like registering for a study. You can let your kids help with one of your own administrative tasks so they can gain experience.
6. Follow the news
Young people very often get to see the news through websites and social media. Help your child see which online resources are reliable and encourage them to keep up to date with what’s going on in the world. They may already know to watch out for fake news and rumors – because they spread so quickly online – but they may not know exactly what the difference is between trustworthy and untrustworthy news. Talk to them about how to scrutinize the news.
7. Learn new skills
Your child probably already uses the internet for homework and school projects. But there are also many opportunities to learn new things online. There are short videos with tutorials (sort of short course) that teach you everything from the latest soccer tricks to how to make your own vlog. Many people use these tutorials when trying out something new – the list of the most common searches includes how to make sourdough bread or banana bread.
8. Publication
The Internet can be a great place for your creative expression. There are so many opportunities to share your talents and skills with others. Maybe your child wants to set up his own blog or vlog about his favorite books, movies, gadgets, sports or about his opinion on a social topic. Novice photographers can put their best photos online and share (and even sell).
9. Buy or sell
The internet has given a tremendous boost to buying and selling second-hand goods – and many have even made their work of this. Environmentally conscious youths will rather sell than throw away things they no longer use, and will rather buy second-hand books than new ones. You may not like letting them do this without supervision, but you can do it together – take the photos and descriptions, or search online for second-hand items together.
10. Relaxation
You will find many ways to relax online. Your child may enjoy watching a movie, listening to music, or having a meditation, watching funny videos, or following their friends and favorite people on social media. It’s nice to talk about your interests and relax activities together. Some of these might be fun to do together as a family at the end of a busy day.
