First Time on Technology: How to Talk to Your Kids
Email 1
Copy/Paste the email below.
Subject Line: First Time on Technology: How to Talk to Your Kids
Dear (Insert name of parent(s),
Technology can be a scary word for parents of young kids but it’s something that needs to be addressed. Here are three ideas to help you be successful as you have conversations for the first time with your child.
Just click the video link below to catch these ideas and put them into practice!
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/412411025/dd2d9f8454
If you have further questions, our ministry is here to help and support you as you walk through this new season.
(Insert Leaders Name)
Email 2
Copy/Paste the email below.
Subject Line: It’s Time to Talk about Technology
Dear (Insert name of parent(s),
Have you talked to your child about technology and how to use it? Do they know what you expect? Technology is something they’ll have for the rest of their lives. It’s important to start out strong and clear about your expectations and strategies in regard to technology use.
The video link below gives you some great strategies on how to approach this conversation, when to have these conversations, and what to talk about.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/412411025/dd2d9f8454
Regular conversations about technology help normalize the topic and make it easier in the long run. We are here to help you start off strong!
(Insert leader name)
Video
Video Script
Welcome to this month’s Online Parenting Class. Today we’ll tackle an issue that many parents of young children have asked about, “How to talk to your kids about technology for the first time.” Your children are digital natives, this means they have grown up using technology. From the occasional “here’s my phone” at the restaurant to video games, or even computers; your kids have been surrounded by screens from a very young age.
However, now you find yourself with a child at an age where you may want to give more freedom or responsibility. How do you talk to them about using it and what your expectations are surrounding technology? Over the next few minutes, we want to give you a few ideas and tactics on how to do this well.
1. Talk Often
The first thing you want to do it to get into the habit of talking often about technology with your student. The struggle parents with teenagers have is that they waited too long to begin talking to their student about technology and therefore parents often feel behind or inept to have a conversation about it. Begin talking with them about what’s on the device, what they want to do on the device, and what they can do on the device.
Younger kids will listen and follow instructions if you give them clearly with confidence and from the beginning. Tell them how you expect them to use it, when they can use it, and for how long. Be sure not to shy away from ‘potential dangers’ but keep it age-appropriate. No reason to terrify them but it is good to let them know that there may be ‘bad things’ depending on where they are going on their devices.
2. Talk After
If you have a child that has been given the freedom to be on their device ‘unsupervised’ be sure to make time to talk to them after they are finished. A few questions to ask.
3. What did you do/play?
This question will help you know what they spent their time on and what they ‘care’ about while they are on the device. Are they playing games? Are they drawing? Are they connecting with people? All of these are important things to know.
4. Did you connect with someone? If so, who?
Finding out who they are interacting with is also important. Are they friends from school? Are they random people from a game? Do you know the parents of the kids? If they are connecting with other people have a discussion about how much information to share and make sure you know who they are.
5. Did you have fun? Did something go wrong?
This question helps your student know that you care about what they are doing while on their device. Showing interest in the things your child shows interest in, even on the internet, is important!
Having post-device time conversations will help you know what is going on on the device without actually seeing it all.
6. Talk about Parental Controls
Being sure that the device is protected with an Internet filter and/or time controls is key. There are a variety of options that are available. We have posted several resources that might help you make your mind. However, the bottom line is that whichever you choose be sure it will have the features you are looking for and you are able to use it. You don’t want to have a program or system in place and you are unable to use it.
This is something you should talk to your student about. Making sure they understand your expectations and their limits is beneficial for them to grow in responsibility. When they know they have a time limit or know that you have set-up filters helps them grow developmentally and know you care for them. So discuss there are filters and/or settings to help keep them safe.
Having the technology talk with your student may be new to you but it’s a necessary one! Letting them know you care, what they are doing, and that they are protected is going to set them up for the best possible experience. And of course, as they get older some of these things will change but if you can start early with these conversations then the easier it will be when your kids get older!
Thank you again for joining us. For other video training and other useful content check out MinistrytoParents.com
Social Media Swag
How do you talk to your kids about technology for the first time? Parents, check your inbox for more!
Parents, here are 3 of our 6 tips to help you talk to your kids about technology! Check your inbox for more.
How do you talk to your children about using technology? Have you set your expectations surrounding technology? Check your inbox for helpful tips.