Our teens have a wealth of resources at their finger tips. Literally. If your child has a smart phone, iPod, or tablet, they can access the internet and a world of ideas anywhere they go. FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat have made email feel out dated and slow for our teens. The digital age is not coming, it is here and our children are digital sons and daughters. Is this a bad thing? Probably, not. Does it present challenges? Definitely!
Here are some challenges:
1. Safety
2. Time manegment
3. Appropriateness of content
4. Interpersonal communication skills
5. Safety (Yep, it makes the list twice!)
So how do we help protect our teens as they live in a digital age? Here are some ideas to protecting your teens:
1. Be where they are: We walk with them physically through life, why not digitally? Maybe social media is not your thing. That's ok. But, chances are it's your teens thing. So give it a try. You don't need 10,000 friends on FaceBook and you certainly don't need to play Farmville either. Just "friend" your teen and keep an eye on what they are posting, and what others are posting on their wall. If FaceBook isn't their thing, they are probably on Twitter or Tumblr.
Or, have your teen give you the password to their accounts. This is good for accountability. Just remember to confront with extra grace if something comes up.
2. Set age limits: Technically speaking, students aren't allowed to join FaceBook till they are 13 (as per FaceBook's guidelines). This is a good attempt to limit the age of it's members, even if it is only a verbal policy from FaceBook. Talk with your kids and set realistic age limits with them as to when they can use or have certain things. Such as: FaceBook/ Twitter at 13, cell phone at 14, smart phone at 16, etc. Setting age limits allows them to wade into the digital pool slowly.
3. Use your technology: Teens have a wealth of tech at their finger tips, but parents have just as much, or in most cases more. Devices range is power and capabilities. As parents you probably have greater access to full powered devices and thus, a world of help in the iPhone 4S in your pocket or purse.
Here are some apps to help you protect your kids and yourself in the digital world:
- Apple Devices:
- Mobicip safe browser with parental control. $ Free
- AVG Family Safety: $ Free
- Enabling restrictions: Restrictions allow you as a parent to control what features you child can use on their Apple device. See this to start.
- This is a feature on your device and not an app.
- Android Devices:
- AVG has a host of free Apps to help regulate internet usage. Go to Google Play and search for AVG.
- Mobicip safe browser with parental control. $ Free
- My Mobile Watchdog: $4.99 per month.
- This app does everything: monitor calls, texts, picture messages, setup internet and app access limits, and see history. *Not available for iPhone.
Another approach is to work with your cell provider. They can remotely lock the phone during requested times. This allows you to control when your teen gets to use their phone, and what they can do with it. Don't want your teen texting at 2 am on a school night? This is probably your best option, other than physically taking the phone.
Ultimately, being open and honest with your teen about the dangers and risks of digital life is the best place to start. The technology is not the danger, it's how we use it that puts us at risk.
Know of any other good apps or suggestions? Let us know in the comments section!
One of the things that came up in our most recent YAC meeting was cyber bullying. This is a really tough issue because of the potential anonymity of the aggressors and victims. However, it is not a hopeless situation for parents or teens. As I was combing through Walt Mueller's blog this week, I found an article on cyber bullying. He also links some good resources for parents in the post. 
