Why Parents Need to Be Better Students

January 13, 2017

The internet is evolving on a daily basis, wait, it's actually changing minute by minute, and it can be a perfect excuse for parents to say -- they simply can't keep up!

What they are forgetting is, for parents, staying in touch with technology updates and your child's social behavior online -- is now part of parenting today. In other words, you don't have an option.

We often talk about how schools need to implement cyber-civics, and I couldn't agree more. The gap lies with the parents.

Frequently I hear from schools and tech experts, one of the hardest things to do is getting parents involved - it's a challenge motivating parents to attend workshops or conferences about digital parenting. Many schools will report that the turnout is typically low. Sadly, it usually takes a small town making national news for unlikely events, or worse a headline like that of the young teen that took her life in front of her family - to give parents a moment of pause. However, it's all too soon before that pause becomes just another day. Most parents believe these things could never happen to them - or their community.

In a recent Common Sense Census, Plugged In Parents of Tweens and Teens, it uncovered that parents spend an average of nine hours with social media daily and the vast amount of that time is spent with personal screen media. Interestingly seventy-eight percent of the parents surveyed believe they are good technology role models for their children. Are they?

Do parents need to be reminded of social etiquette?

Like our kids, grown-ups seems to be digitally connected the majority of a day too. We want our children to be involved in digital literacy classes, yet who are we learning from?

Are you disconnecting when talking to your friends?

Are you minding your cyber-manners when leaving comments on social media?

Are you asking permission before posting pictures of friends or relatives?

Are you unplugging during mealtime?

Are you texting and driving?

Being an interested parent and facing virtual reality.

For most parents, they are overwhelmed with all these new apps, live streaming, sites and technology that seem to have no boundaries - and definitely never ending. It's time for parents to jump on board - there may never be a day you will master every app or how to Snap or Tweet or even Facebook Live, however you must be a parent that is interested in learning about all of it. Why? Because your kids are!

You're never too old to learn, even when it comes to technology.

L - Listen to your kids. You may be plugged into your own device, but you must detach from your cyber-place long enough to hear about where the youth (your kids) are trending online.

E - Engage in conversations with your kids about social media sites - online. Yes, go online with your teen and have them explain firsthand how to use apps you may fear.

A - Actively learn about new cyber-security measures to share with your family. For example how Instagram recently updated their features by adding a resource to flag posts when users are emotionally struggling.

R - Reach-out to other parents, relatives and friends. Share and learn from each other about cyber safety, apps and discuss what their kids are doing online. Chances are good - your child is also using the same sites.

N - Never stop being interested! Think of it like your child's sports or dance team. I know parents wouldn't miss these events - and they their change schedules to make them happen. The fact is, these extra-curriculum are important to youth, but their technology skills will be with them a lifetime. Don't lose your interest.

We encourage our kids to be good students -- it's time parent lead by example in this role too.

Image courtesy of www.flickr.com

Written by

Sue Scheff

Sue Scheff is an author and Parent Advocate. She founded Parents’ Universal Resource Experts, Inc in 2001. Her expertise is educating parents that are struggling with their out-of-control teenager and Internet safety for both kids and adults. In her book, Shame Nation: The Global Epidemic of Online Hate (Sourcebooks), Sue Scheff equips readers to handle cyberbullying, trolls and other digital disasters. Find out more at on Suescheff.com.