Dr. Charles Fay blog on Parenting and Technology

Note: This article is from the Love and Logic Institute written by Dr. Charles Fay. No part of this has been changed in any way. For more information, contact the Love and Logic Institute

What’s your answer to the following question?
 

Has my parenting caught up with technology, or am I stuck in the 

“Middle Ages” when people used phones hooked to cords and web addresses were inhabited by arachnids?

While the basics of parenting remain the same, issues involving technology have left many parents wondering what limits are appropriate, how to hold their children accountable for misuse of technology, and how to help kids learn the decision-making skills required to make healthy technology choices when they leave home.

There’s good news! While these modern issues are definitely challenging, we can achieve success by applying some age-old parenting truths:

·       Kids need limits.

·       Limits are best set through actions instead of hollow threats.
When kids make poor decisions, they need to experience natural or logical consequences.

·       When kids make poor decisions, they need to experience natural or logical consequences.

·       Consequences are always more effective when provided with loving empathy.

·      Our kids will learn how to live their lives by watching us.

Listed below are a few examples of essential limits:

·       You may have your tablet as long as there is no arguing when I ask you to shut it off.

·       Feel free to have a cell phone when you can pay for the entire cost.
We allow kids to have their internet-connectable devices as long as they check them in with us each night. We’ll return them in the morning as long as there are no problems.

·       I’ve met plenty of good people who’ve ended up doing bad things on the internet. That’s why your mom has all of my passwords and is free to see my history. You may have this device as long as you do the same. Everyone needs someone to hold them accountable.

·       I’m shutting my phone off so that I can give you 100% of my attention. Thanks for doing the same.

For more tips on parenting and technology, listen to Real Talk on Technology.

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Dr. Charles Fay