Finding a balanced dose of media across the week

Do you often have a panic attack at home wondering have the children been watching too much television or using their technology for too long?  I imagine this happens from time to time as the family pressure on each week varies. It is difficult to find consistency in busy family life.

However, it is important to find the right balance with media and technology use, as excessive screen time can be limiting a child’s ability to converse, engage with other activities and of course it reduces reading hours, listening capacity, etc.

Here are some suggestions on trying to find the balance with use of technology at home.

Here are some suggestions on trying to find the balance.

• Look at the week ahead. Does it have a balanced approach afterschool?

• Are their certain TV programs that the child enjoys. Perhaps negotiate with your child when they watch such programs in the light of all the other chores and homework required for that week.

• Talk about the programs they enjoy watching on television. Find out what really interests your child in these programs and other interactive games. Don’t forget to always monitor the ratings.

• Be the positive model. Reduce your own personal time on the computer and television replacing them with family talk time or active family activities. The child needs to see that other ways of operating as a family are important and highly life-giving.

• Technology is embedded in our world and will especially be part of your child’s life. Talk about how they enjoy technology and discuss and research together the various ways in which technology has impacted on the global world. By doing this the child can reflect on the technological impact over the years. At the same time, they can reflect on the importance of other aspects of life that cannot be neglected. These are life-giving experiences that are not technologically driven.

• Consider the design of your home. Are their sections where it can be tech-free? This is important to set up in the house as it is another reminder that we can recreate without technology as a family.

• Introduce house rules about where computers are kept, where charging spots are located etc. Take control of all technology, thereby making it easy and visible to access for yourself. Bedrooms are notorious hiding spaces for children in which to overuse computers.

 Schools are constantly evaluating the use of technology in the classrooms. We have moved from believing that technology will drive every moment of our school day to recognising that children need to learn in different ways and that excessive dependence on technology diminishes a child’s capacity to think and process. For example, teamwork, group discussions, cooperative learning do not rely on technology. A child needs varied cooperative models of learning.

When considering family holidays consider having them without technology. Go camping, hiking etc. Outdoor activities are wonderful for taking the mind off technology. The child needs to learn life in so many varied ways not driven by a keypad!

There are some wonderful websites which teach the family about cyber safety. I recommend watching these video clips with your child as it gives you both important matters to discuss.

Also learn about how to take authority in blocking certain social media. Websites such as the police have excellent advice in this area. Also talk to your child’s school about what they are teaching the children with regard to cyber safety and other related matters. They often send excellent support material home to families. Schools also hold information nights about home use of technology.

 This article reminds us that we live in a technologically driven world which has an extraordinary capacity to influence our lives. Our children are embedded with the notion that living with technology is a natural process. What we do as parents is applaud the inevitable but put on the table all the options of enjoying and savouring life with and without technology. We demonstrate how it works reminding ourselves that our children have been born into a totally different disposition. What a difference a generation makes!

“Science and technology revolutionise our lives but memory, tradition and myth frame our response.”

— Arthur M Schlesinger

Technology, a challenge in family life.

As a school Principal and working with children through counselling over many years, I have seen how the growing passion for technology has skyrocketed with our young ones. Children develop skills from an early age that baffle parents. They soon discover that it opens up a whole new world of connection with friends and the outside influences of the bigger world. This can occur as early as seven or eight years of age or even earlier!

At a primary age, they are definitely keen to network and feel valued in talking to friends through many of the social media tools that they can access.

It can't be stopped, but as parents, it is an area that does need monitoring.

Here are some practical suggestions to help the child through the minefield of managing technology as a young, vulnerable person. I liken it to a child driving a powerful truck. They understand how to drive the truck but do not have the skills to manage it.

• Discuss with your child where the computer should be situated in the house. The younger the child, the more visible should be the child using technology.
• Ensure that child safety blocking is placed on any computer, Ipads, phones etc. in the house.
• Attend a cyberbullying information session to learn about the legal age for children using certain social media. Often schools will facilitate such evenings, local community centres etc. It is best to attend one just as a parent as often information is given which can be quite daunting regarding the damage done to children through the inappropriate use of technology.
• Attend a session on cyberbullying with your child. This invites sound conversation together.
• Talk to your child about the use of chat media such as facebook, etc. Explain how everything written is kept in the Cloud and does not go away!

I have seen some parents draw up a contract with children on how technology will be used in the house. This is done at school with all students.

Keep the balance with family life. Active children engaged in sport etc. will be drawn to alternative ways to socialise and be active. This puts balance into their life and reduces concentrated hours in engaging with social media. Their social engagement is on the sports fields, stages, art classes etc.

Check the time children are using their computer and agree that there is a turn on and turn off time in the house. Of course, we need to give this example as a parent ourselves. Our modelling in using technology and teaching life balance is a critical factor in demonstrating to the child that technology is but one aspect of life.

As a family discuss technology and how it has influenced major changes in the world. Also, engage in conversations about its limitations.

Keep technology as visible as possible in the house and limit a child's time on their own using technology in the isolation of their bedroom. Remember the house is still seen as a technology friendly home.

Some parents have reconstructed their family living areas to make access and communal awareness of the use of technology.

Learn about how your child's school handles technology. Reading their technology policies gives you a strong indication of how good habits in technology are taught and managed.

Some final thoughts.

• Ensure the child knows that you value technology. Talk about it as a positive tool that has made such a difference to the world. However, as a tool, it can be used inappropriately and must be managed well.
• In the family, managing technology is an important rule which we talk about frequently, just as we discuss homework patterns etc.
• As a family, technology is just one part of our life as demonstrated by all the various activities we do as a family.
• Talk openly to your child about how you use technology in your life.
• Keep well informed on current information regarding the latest social media tools that are influencing children.
• Sometimes children will access inappropriate social media through visiting other homes. Discuss with these families your thoughts on this matter.
• Whilst you cannot control how other families use technology you can educate your child on its best use and invite them to feel comfortable in talking to you about how other homes operate with technology.
• Visit your child's classroom when they are using technology. This gives you a sound understanding of how technology is used in the classroom and an opportunity to chat at home about its use.
• Remember your home should develop a family communication style that enables a child to talk about technology comfortably.                        

Children develop skills from an early age that baffle parents.