It all sounds so convenient, but you may be left with a worry or two. In the pre-
online age, parents could keep an eye on their kids. Their friends came over for
playdates. You got to meet their teachers. If they went out, you knew where they
were going (or at least, where they said they were going). But please, don’t
worry. We’ve got some tips and ideas to help you care for your kids in their
modern, connected environment.
- REALIZE THAT YOUR KID IS PROBABLY WAY MORE TECHIE THAN
YOU ARE
If you set out to control your child’s use of technology, you’re likely to fail. Most
kids can out-tech their parents. Some of you may remember having your own
parents come to you for help setting the time on the VCR. It’s a generational
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As far as online safety goes, you’ll have more success working on
communication than on control. Instead of imposing strict limits on, say,
gaming, take a step back and think about why those limits are important. Talk
with the kids about your concerns, and listen to their take. Don’t be surprised
when they text you a link to an article that supports their position.