We all know the benefits of technology, we can access knowledge faster and more knowledge, there is a track of every transaction when it happens on technology and with AI, if used properly, it can allow for vast amount of knowledge to be sifted through in assessing diseases and illnesses. These are just a few of the benefits of the availability of utilizing technology. However, with the good there is also bad which means us as the consumers and you as the parents of children, need to sift through it all and dole out to your children the best of the information you have. Blue light can be harmful to the eyes in large quantities. Blue light can also come from the sun, the screens in our tablets, computers and phones and can be harmful in large quantities. A parent may want to monitor and restrict a child’s screen time and inquire, when you take your child to their annual eye appointment, what the affects are on your child’s eyes. Do some reading on this topic to educate yourself too.
Another reason for limiting your child’s screen time, or putting off them having too much or any access until they are at an appropriate age, when they can learn to manage it, is that you don’t want your child to become ‘addicted’ to screen time. Yes, it can be considered an addition. Read up on how the Mafia turned to blue light technology to ‘reel’ customers into casinos. Read up on this yourself also, it’s an interesting story, but the point is, when the technology for hand held devices was being designed in Silicon Valley, science teams were in on the development to aid in the capability to draw viewers in. For a child to become addicted to anything is not good. To use a phone for safety, the technology for good or an IPad for entertainment, watching a good movie as a reward or enjoyment, or for educational purposes, is one thing. But to use the technology as a babysitter or to sit around and just veg for hours on end, on social media, is not productive time. Be willing to take the technology away. Get your kids moving, have them play outside for exercise, recreation, vitamin D from the sun and for some fresh air. Don’t let a child charge their tech devices in their room. You don’t want a phone close to your head. I recently read that you want to use the corded earbuds rather than the cordless version. The concern is that with the cordless technology the radiation is close to your brain-same reason for not keeping your phone by the bedside when you sleep. Do your own reading and see what you come up with, but most definitely something to be mindful of as a parent.
Remember, YOU as the parent set the tone and don’t forget who is in charge and who pays the internet and phone bills. DO NOT ABDICATE YOUR ROLE AS THE PARENT. You only have so long to teach your kids the important skills they need. Yes, you can do some instructing after 18, but while they are under YOUR ROOF and YOU ARE PAYING THE BILLS you are much more effective. USE this time wisely to guide and instruct them…
Speaking of outside, the weather is getting warmer. Kids (and us) get spring fever. They don’t want to do their homework, the warm weather and the clicking down of the calendar to Summer and the end of the school year. KEEP YOUR KIDS ENGAGED IN THEIR SCHOOL WORK. Instill the attitude of ‘finishing well.’ Study for the end of the year exams and tests as the school year comes to a close. Encourage your kids to give that last report or project their full effort. Also, kids, especially teenagers, can get lax and maybe even a little reckless with end of the year activities. Maybe experimenting with behaviors they should stay away from, such as drugs, smoking and bad activities. We all have seen kids make bad choices that have had life altering consequences. TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS AROUND YOUR KITCHEN TABLE, IN THE CAR AND WHEN YOU HAVE TIME TOGETHER. Explain that as the parent, it is your role to keep them safe and informed. To be fore warned is to be fore armed. You have logged time on this planet and you have the wisdom as an adult to know what they need to look out for. They need your guidance. Be there. They may be nearing adulthood, but brain development continues to take place into their twenties. Get other parents in your circle to have the same attitude, there is safety and support in numbers. Parental supervision is a good thing and make sure they say where they are, you can use the Apps available to know where they are-that is good technology-or at times you may need to just get in your car. DO IT when you need to.
There you go! That’s your homework for the week. Read up on the topics mentioned so that you ‘have the receipts’ when discussing with other parents and your kids. As parents, we are hoping for many GREAT DAYS for our children. Do all you can to insure that for them. Again, you only have so much time to do your job as a parent, instilling good values and knowledge to them. Wishing you a good week ahead 🍎
