| Often, I feel like I am from the Middle Ages with respect to phones—the time when people used telephones that were hard-wired into the wall, and web addresses were inhabited by arachnids!
Although the basics of parenting remain the same, rapidly evolving technology involving cell phones and the Internet have left many parents wondering what limits are appropriate, how to hold their children accountable for misuse of technology, and how to help kids learn the decision-making skills required to make healthy technology choices when they leave home.
There is good news! Even though these modern issues can be very challenging, we can achieve positive outcomes by applying some age-old parenting truths:
- Kids need limits.
- Limits are best set through actions instead of hollow threats.
- When kids make poor decisions, they need to experience natural or logical consequences.
- Consequences are always more effective when loving empathy is provided first.
- Our kids will learn how to live their lives by watching us.
Listed below are a few examples of essential limits related to phones and technology:
- You may have your tablet only if there is no arguing when I ask you to shut it off.
- Feel free to have a cell phone when you can pay for the entire cost.
- We allow kids to have their internet-connectable devices only if they check them in with us each night. We’ll return them in the morning only if there are no problems.
- I’ve met plenty of good people who’ve ended up doing bad things on the Internet. That’s why your mom has all my passwords and is free to see my history. You may have this device only if you do the same. Everyone needs someone to hold them accountable.
- I'm shutting my phone off so that I can give you 100% of my attention. Thanks for doing the same.
For more tips on how to handle technology with your kids, listen to our audio, Real Talk on Technology
Thanks for reading!
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Dr. Charles Fay |
