OVER the next six weeks, parents will be crying out for some peace and quiet.
But too much silence may not necessarily be a good thing over the school holidays.
You see, in our house, the silence is usually a big giveaway that our kids have quietly disappeared for some screen time.
It could be an iPad, Nintendo Switch, or they may have absconded with our iPhones, where even our four-year-old has figured out the passwords.
Like most parents, we have to constantly monitor the time our children spend on devices.
But that is particularly the case over the school holidays, where left unchecked, kids can spend hours on end in front of a screen.
That is no good for young, developing minds.
Experts from the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program this week released some simple strategies for the weeks ahead.
Part of it is encouraging parents or carers to level up their digital know-how.
“Try to stay informed about current digital trends and get to know the apps and games your child is into,” the program advises.
“Take some time to explore parental controls and read reviews, and even play games yourself to check if they’re appropriate for your child. Talk with them about important topics such as not sharing their personal details, privacy, and being respectful online. Guide them to check and update privacy settings regularly.
“Show an interest in your child’s screen use. Talk with your child or watch what they’re playing while they’re involved in an online activity. Show them you’re interested by asking about the rules of the game, what programs they are enjoying, or which friends they are interacting with.
“Check content is appropriate. Take some time to have conversations with your child about the content they’re accessing online. Keep it relaxed and try to avoid interrogating them with too many questions. Praise them when they make good choices and reassure them you’re always there to help if they are confused, worried, or upset by anything they experience online.”
It is all common-sense stuff.
As a parent, there is some upside for families living in a digital age.
It can be useful in situations where adults are busy or concentrating and need to give children something engaging to do.
Those of us who occasionally work from home would understand this. There are times when the silence is golden.
As Dr Alan Ralph, from the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, said:
“The holiday season isn’t always smooth sailing for families, and tackling digital safety is just one more challenge to add to the list. It’s OK if you’re not across everything in the online landscape or you feel like your child is speaking another language. Try looking at it as an ongoing learning opportunity for the entire family, rather than a daunting task or a quick fix. Praise your child when they make good decisions, rather than only react when they haven’t.”
You can also find helpful resources at www.esafety.gov.au
The best way to get kids off the devices, we have found, is to do things together.
Bring on summer. Happy holidays.
