Many parents of today can still remember growing up in simpler times when technology was a much less central part of everyday life. Rather than keeping up with the latest posts from friends on social media, you were likely passing notes on scraps of paper during class. In this complicated day and age, it’s easy to feel intimidated about parenting. You know that you have a crucial role to play in teaching your children to navigate this rapidly transforming social and technological framework safely and successfully. Here are some helpful tips to give your kids the tools they need to stay secure and make the most out of the exciting opportunities that await them in this ever-changing world.
Teach Them to Think Before They Post Anything Online
A whole host of teens, young adults, and older adults have found out the hard way that once something is posted on the internet, it stays there forever. From inappropriate pictures to careless statements, online posts cause all sorts of problems ranging from damaging reputations to loss of employment and even to legal trouble. It is imperative to make sure your children are aware of how serious it can be to post any kind of threats, lewd photographs, or misinformation online, even if it’s meant to be a joke. One good rule of thumb is never to post anything in the heat of anger or as a way to get revenge. Tell your child that if they’re not sure that something they’re about to post is acceptable they should ask you for your advice before they post it.
Teach Them to Know Who to Trust
Whether it be online or in person, it’s important to know which people can be trusted with confidences and personal information. The number of young people who have been lured into unsafe situations by predators online is absolutely staggering. As of 2015, 42 percent of minors who were victims of sexual extortion met their abuser through some type of online interaction. Certain behaviors increase the risk of becoming a victim. Kids need to be taught that sharing personal information, such as phone numbers, addresses, and personal photographs, with strangers online is extremely unsafe. Having a public social media account automatically allows anyone on that social media platform access to anything you share. Young people should only be on social media platforms that are designed for people their age to safely use. Strict privacy measures should also be taken to guard their information from those with ill intent. A wise standard to have in your home is never to accept social media friend requests from anyone you don’t know in the real world outside of cyberspace. As a parent you should be able to look through their list of friends to make sure everyone who can see their postings and profile is a person you would personally trust to be your child’s close friend.
Teach Them to Decipher Fact from Fiction
False information abounds on countless sites all over the internet. Unlike the days when we could easily recognize the trashy tabloids at the local grocery store checkout counters, internet hoaxes and rumors are much less easy to spot. Many sites look legitimate, but the information they share is based on unreliable sources. It’s important to be able to discern which stories online should be believed, and which should be regarded with skepticism. One good way to try and figure out which stories are true is to use one or more reputable fact checking sites to verify the information you read online. Another good indicator that a story may not be completely true is if the only sites you find it posted on are obscure, questionable ones with a small following. It’s crucial to teach kids not to share stories that haven’t first been carefully investigated. That way they won’t be a part of perpetuating misinformation that could damage someone’s reputation or cause unnecessary alarm or outrage.
Teach Them to Become Financially Literate
Besides all of the technological advances of the internet, another way the world has changed is in the realm of finance. People are often getting credit cards and racking up debt at younger and younger ages. College costs have continued to skyrocket, making debt an even bigger problem. Financial literacy for kids can help your child avoid pitfalls and achieve a level of financial freedom. You can do this with a few simple steps. Beginning in childhood, give them regular chores to fulfill as a requirement for earning an allowance. This can teach them that hard work can lead to financial gain. Once they start to save up some money, you can open up a bank account for them. Teach them to methodically add money to their savings account each time they receive their allowance. This money can be saved for a special purchase or, ideally, some can be set aside for college expenses. You can also show them the importance of designating money to charitable giving. Teach them smart shopping habits, such as looking for discounts, shopping at resale shops, and avoiding impulse spending. If they do obtain a credit card, teach them to pay it off every month rather than rack up debt on items they could do without. When the time is right, help them learn how to manage and balance a checking account. Your children will be able to look back on these valuable lessons in years to come and thank you for giving them such a solid, stable financial foundation.
Teach Them to Learn From The Past
As the old adage goes, those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Though the world may be changing at a breakneck pace, many of the same problems we face today have been faced in another form by those who have gone before us. One of the challenges some in the younger generations are experiencing today is a tendency to dismiss wisdom from those who aren’t as tech savvy or modern as they consider themselves to be. Remind your children that although technology has changed, human nature and many fundamental truths about the world have remained the same. Expose your children to time-honored wisdom from history, literature, and the arts. Explain to them the knowledge you’ve gained from your own life experience. Have them interact on a regular basis with older people in your family, neighborhood, or faith community. They’ll benefit by learning to follow in the footsteps of the wise.
As a society, the way we mold and shape our children will have a tremendous impact on our world for years to come. Though technology and communication may continue to advance at lightning speed, nothing can replace the role of concerned, involved parents in the lives of their kids. With these valuable tips, you can help give your children some of the building blocks they’ll need to form good habits that will carry them on into a productive, happy adulthood.