We’re at that stage of parenting where we are starting to navigate tech and figuring out how to manage it well in our family.

I feel like we do screen times pretty well. Our children still have screen time, but rarely do our children have access to individual screens.

We try to do DVDs on one TV. This means that they have to sit together and get along, rather than individually getting the show that they always want.

This is our strategy as we prepare to purchase a device.

It might have seemed like a savvy idea to give the laptop as a Christmas present. It would save us money.

I don’t want it to be his. I don’t want him to think that he has access at any time. I don’t want the battles.

At some point, we have to loosen the reigns a little and let them have ownership over their tech. They will need to learn to manage their time.

This does not need to taught now.

As schools grapple with how best to use technology in the classroom, many have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative. It benefits schools and saves them money.

The problem is, it creates more challenges for parents around boundaries. It can create more issues, especially if children own the device. It creates a sense of ownership and entitlement. They own it, therefore many feel like they have the choice around when and how they use it.

Too late to change the rules?

If you have already given your child a device, is it too late to change the rules? I don’t think so.

I think that it will come with more challenges. I think it will require some tough conversations. Perhaps rethinking your own screen usage might be useful, along with creating some family rules and boundaries. Sometimes showing children research and facts about the dangers of tech can help them understand the reasons why you have backtracked.

Ultimately, you are the parent and you are allowed to set the rules. Boundaries around tech are no different to boundaries around eating habits and bedtime.

We are not their friends. We are their parent.

Between 2 houses

For those living between two houses, this brings different challenges. It might be okay to set rules in your own home but another thing entirely for when they are with the other parent.

There is not much you can do. Unfortunately, you might feel like the bad guy. The strict parent. The other one seems like they are more fun.

I’ve seen this firsthand with friends, and it is not easy. My friends have stuck to their decision, knowing that it won’t be the popular one, but it is the right one. In the long term, strict boundaries around screen time and tech ownership pays off.

Government

I love that our SA government have brought in strict laws around social media use for teens. I love that they Peter Malinauskas is taking a stand for our children.

We know that tech is addictive. We know that it’s in big tech’s best interest to get children addicted to technology early in life.

It’s not in our children’s best interests though.

It’s our job to put boundaries in place to protect their innocence and their childhood.

Thoughts?