The laws of human nature or instinct dictate that being noticed, gaining acceptance, and having power are very important. These imperatives are inherent in children as members of our species. Unfortunately, people may use these imperatives to exploit you, your kids, and your grandchildren.
Screens provide undivided attention and instant feedback to the user. They offer constant approval through rewards for high scores, likes on social media, and positive responses from others. Screens also grant power to the user, providing complete and instant control over the screen.
However, screens can also imply that the user has nothing to offer and is not worth attention or acceptance. They can deliver an avalanche of disapproval, trolling, and bullying, making the user feel utterly powerless in responding to anonymous abuse.
The laws of human nature make screens the equivalent of a flame to a moth. We are drawn to social media and online games to get noticed, gain acceptance, and become influential. However, our comparisons often make us appear unworthy of attention, acceptance, and power.
Ultimately, social media and many online games may attract us but also lead to negative consequences.
Help your kids manage their screen time by providing the support they need to bounce back when excessive screen use affects them.
According to the laws of human nature, kids require attention, acceptance, and a sense of power.
However, it’s crucial to remember that unchecked power can lead to corruption.
When you give your kids choices, ensure that they face the consequences of their actions. Assist them in coping with the outcomes, but don’t allow them to evade them.
Dangers Of Being Used and Abused
It was a lazy Saturday afternoon. Jennah was hanging out in her room, scrolling through her social media feeds as usual. Her older sister Tina knocked on the door and poked her head in.
“Hey, sis, got a minute?” Tina asked.
“Sure, what’s up?” Jennah replied, setting down her phone.
Tina came in and sat down on the edge of the bed. “I wanted to talk to you about something important. It’s about talking to people online.”
Jennah rolled her eyes. “Ugh, you’re not gonna give me another lecture about internet safety, are you? I’m 16, I know what I’m doing.”
“No, it’s not that,” Tina said. “I mean, yeah, safety is important, but I wanted to talk to you about something else. About how people can kinda…manipulate you online.”
Jennah furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you know how sometimes you’ll start talking to someone new online, and they’re super nice and complimentary, and they ask you for advice on stuff?” Tina explained. “Like, they’ll say things to make you feel perfect about yourself and act like they really look up to you?”
Jennah nodded. “Yeah, I guess. A few people have done that before.”
“The thing is, a lot of times, those people aren’t being genuine,” Tina continued. “They’re doing that on purpose, to try to get you to like them and trust them. And then eventually they might try to get you to do things you’re uncomfortable with, like meeting up with them in person or sending them private photos or something.”
Jennah’s eyes widened. “Wait, really? People actually do that?”
“Unfortunately, yeah,” Tina said with a sigh. “There are a lot of creeps out there who will say anything to get close to young girls online. They’ll act all sweet and innocent at first, but it’s all just an act to manipulate you.”
Jennah frowned. “Wow, I had no idea. That’s really messed up.”
“I know, it sucks,” Tina said. “But the important thing is to be really careful about who you talk to online, especially if they start showering you with a ton of compliments and attention. It’s usually a red flag that they want something from you.”
“Okay, good to know,” Jennah said. “So what should I do if I start talking to someone like that?”
“Well, first of all, don’t ever agree to meet up with them in person,” Tina advised. “If they ask you for personal information or favours, shut that down immediately. You don’t owe them anything, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to do stuff you’re uncomfortable with.”
Jennah nodded. “Got it. And I should stop talking to them if they keep pushing, right?”
“Exactly,” Tina said. “Your safety and well-being are way more important than some random person online trying to win you over. Don’t be afraid to block and delete them if they make you uncomfortable.”
“Okay, I’ll remember that,” Jennah said. “Thanks for looking out for me, sis.”
Tina smiled and ruffled Jennah’s hair. “Of course. I just want you to be smart and stay safe out there. The internet can be sketchy, but you’ll be alright as long as you’re cautious.”
Jennah smiled back. “I will. And I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me about this. It’s good to know what to look out for.”
“Anytime,” Tina said, standing up. “I’m here if you ever need to talk about anything else, okay?”
“Okay, thanks,” Jennah replied. As Tina left the room, Jennah picked up her phone again, feeling a newfound awareness of the people she interacted with online. She was grateful to have an older sister looking out for her.
Balanced Screen Use Guidelines Children Aged 6 to 18
1. Set clear screen time limits (1-2 hours per day).
2. Encourage educational content.
3. Practice co-viewing and co-playing with your child for better understanding and bonding.
Establish screen-free zones and times in your home. To create a screen-free zone:
1. Choose a room or space for the zone.
2. Set clear rules, like no phones or tablets.
3. Stock the area with alternative activities.
4. Use visual reminders.
5. Decorate for relaxation and family interaction.
6. Establish screen-free times.
7. Lead by example
8. Regularly review the rules and discuss
Challenges of Screen-Free Zones:
Setting up screen-free zones at home may come with challenges such as resistance from family members, consistency in enforcement, determining exceptions, finding engaging alternatives, dealing with boredom, peer pressure, parental modelling, defining boundaries, technology dependence, maintaining the zones over time, and dealing with guests. Clear communication, involvement of all family members, providing alternative activities, and patience are key to overcoming these challenges.
To teach critical thinking skills for navigating the digital landscape, use these strategies:
1. Develop information literacy skills: Guide your kids in fact-checking and source credibility assessments.
2. Promote media literacy: Engage your kids in deconstructing digital images, videos, and articles to identify biases and messages.
3. Encourage critical evaluation of online content.
4. Use real-life scenarios and current events.
5. Implement a critical thinking framework.
6. Foster open discussions and debates.
7. Explore multiple perspectives.
8. Integrate AI tools thoughtfully.
9. Encourage decision-making based on digital information.
10. Teach responsible online behavior.
Implementing these strategies will help young people confidently navigate the digital landscape.
To teach kids about online etiquette and responsible behaviour, use these strategies:
Set clear expectations for online behaviour.
Use real-life examples of both good and bad online behaviour.
Encourage self-reflection on online behaviour and its impact.
Provide practice in safe online environments.
Address the consequences of inappropriate online behaviour.