How To Educate Children In The Use Of The Internet: 10 Tips
The Internet and new information and communication technologies are elements that have emerged recently that have completely transformed society. Nowadays, the majority of young people see a world without WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or YouTube as almost inconceivable. But although Today’s little ones are born in a world where these applications, social networks and technologies are omnipresent they are not born knowing how to use them, and although they are very powerful and very useful tools that make our lives and communication easier, they also have their risks.
Therefore, it is necessary to teach minors to use them. How to educate children in the use of the Internet so that they make good use of this resource? In this article we propose to offer some guidelines and advice in this regard.
Many of us remember a time in our lives when the Internet was a completely unknown concept to the majority of the population. Even for those of us who were born in the 90s, when the topic was already a little more developed, it was something new and strange to which we had to adapt at the time. Other people saw it born at later times in their lives, having greater difficulties understanding its functioning.
Since then the network of networks has evolved in an incredible way, increasing its potential and allowing the emergence of multiple basic technologies and applications in our daily lives. Today’s children are already digital natives (a concept proposed by Prensky in 2001), being born in an environment in which new technologies are already fully integrated. This fact means that there are differences with respect to past generations, even at a neurological level.
They have greater multitasking capacity, greater flexibility and greater decision-making capacity, but at the same time less memory capacity, less perseverance and less ability to postpone gratifications and results.
How to educate children in the use of the Internet
Networks are a powerful tool that facilitates multiple tasks and remote communication, but they also have a dark side. Fraudulent use of networks, online scams, cybercriminals, grooming and cyberbullying are examples of this. Learning to use new technologies is essential to be able to make good use of them. And that is why below we indicate a series of tips to help educate in its use.
1. Get informed
When educating children and adolescents in the use of new technologies we have to take into account a very relevant factor: while many of us have seen the birth of the Internet as something that has happened throughout our lives, the new generations have been born with them as a present element throughout the world For them it is something that is natural and intuitive.
2. Update yourself
Technology advances very quickly, and it would be advisable for us to inform ourselves about the characteristics of the news and the different networks in order to be able to educate with knowledge of the facts. It is fundamentally about being updated and know the type of digital environments they inhabit and the connections they currently have For example, regularly using places where very young people are in the majority, such as Instagram or Curiouscat.me, is not the same as internet forums about philosophy or technology.
Networks are something that is taken for granted and there is generally a great perception of security around them. It is necessary to explain to minors that although they have many advantages, they also have their risks, and explain them clearly. It is not about scaring without foundation but to show that there are important risks.
4. Do not prohibit the use of the network
As we have mentioned previously, the use of information and communication technologies or ICT is a present element in our lives, and in the case of current children from birth. Some people may think that prohibiting its use may be a way to avoid potential misuse and problems. However, we are faced with a tool that is practically omnipresent in our daily lives and it is advisable to learn to use it promptly. Prohibiting would only mean that the child would not have knowledge of how it works and if they were to use them they could be in much greater danger due to lack of knowledge. We must supervise, not prohibit.
5. Generate limits and rules of use
Not prohibiting does not imply uncontrolled use of the networks by the minor. It is necessary to establish rules and schedules of use, especially when children are young, in order to learn to balance the use of networks with other activities, both duties and obligations and forms of leisure.
6. Sailing together
The best way to teach is by example. Surfing the Internet with children and showing them different technologies, applications, games and information can be a way to make them see the wonders of technology while educating them on how to use it. In addition, it means sharing a moment with children that can be a source of learning, fun and strengthening bonds.
Although partly associated with the point of risks, this element stands out for being fundamental and one of the ones that can have the most consequences. Making them understand what privacy is and the importance of each of the data they publish, what should or should not be published and the associated risks and how to protect said privacy is one of the fundamental aspects for the education and protection of minors regarding virtual environments.
8. Parental controls
The creation of safe virtual environments is appropriate for young children, so that content that could be offensive or traumatic for minors is blocked.
9. Get interested
Another aspect of great relevance is the fact that the adult, family member or caregiver in charge of the minor is interested in their activity on the Internet. Not in an invasive or demanding way, but communicative and supportive. Many online problems are not communicated to parents out of fear or shame, when Our help could help solve problems that may arise The type of relationship we establish with the relationship between the minor and the networks can greatly determine the level of trust and the communication of problems in this area.
10. Respect their privacy
As they grow, minors will increasingly demand greater intimacy and privacy. Checking the text messages they receive or their Facebook is not pleasant for practically any teenager and can generate the perception of distrust towards him or her.
