Finding children playing, dancing, singing or participating in social activities with other young people is increasingly difficult. Currently, the most common is seeing children and technology, that is, seeing the little ones entertaining themselves with tablets and smartphones. However, the excessive use of these devices has negatively impacted the lives of some children, who are already losing some cognitive and social skills. Given this, what should parents think? Is kids and technology together a good idea? Should they ban internet use? Or should they try to keep track of their kids’ browsing somehow? Are there tools for this already? In the following article we will answer all these questions.
The damage that the indeterminate use of the internet has caused to children is diverse, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) has listed some of them, which are: sedentary lifestyle, visual problems due to exposure to the screen for many hours, problems with posture and even repetitive strain injuries. In addition, sleep and eating disorders, media dependence and even mental disorders. There are also other behavior problems that are common, such as the difficulty of socializing and connecting with other people and the anxiety and aggression that are aroused by accessing inappropriate content for their age.
Children and young people are not developing as they should, because they live in a virtual reality and become depressed. They grow up insecure and lack the skills to build good bonds and a happy career. But this has happened because they have no restrictions, no control or access limit. For this reason, they end up falling into content that is not nice or healthy. However, the internet is also not this ugly space that only brings losses, it offers several opportunities and should be used, mainly because it is a reality. Parents, guardians and teachers who are unsure whether to introduce the digital world to children need to understand that this process is inevitable. The ideal question is what would be the right time, which should be when the purpose is healthy, enriching and dynamic.
Children and technology together is not always a bad idea, as technology can encourage young people to study, as some games, videos and tools help in the learning process and arouse interest in the content. In addition, it can help with development, as long as it is not replaced by other relationships of affection. As it is directly linked to current work needs, mastering it is essential for the future as well. And because it is an interface with infinite possibilities, it also allows the creation of content: text, videos or photos. But of course, this process must be done under the supervision of an adult and with well-defined objectives, preferably with educational content, as an alternative to exercise some new learning.
When is the right time for kids and technology to come together?
Psychologists and pediatricians recommend that parents avoid introducing the technology to children too early, especially in early childhood. They also reveal that one of the most difficult periods is between 5 and 9 years of age, as those responsible tend to release more use, without filtering so much of what is being accessed. In order not to run the risk of exposing their children to violent content or malicious people, parents already have tools and alternatives for parental control. Some manage the applications and websites that young people have access to, others work with filters and there are those that allow parents to send messages directly to their cell phones and check where their children are. Get to know some of the main parental control tools:
Youtube Kids
Youtube Kids is a version of the video platform that provides selected content for children. Children who use this alternative have personalized content for their age group, that is, educational videos, animations and drawings. Furthermore, parents can control the content consumed by their children with just a few simple settings. They can filter videos by age group and limit usage time, block some channels and enter passwords. To use this platform, it is necessary to download the application, which works on all devices, smartphones, tablets, video games and smart TVs. This was the safest option that Youtube made available for children to explore videos according to their interests, having a healthy experience.
Kids Place
This is a parental control app available for Android and iOS devices, which allows parents to control their children’s activity and screen time. It replaces the look and functionality of the device, allowing access to only certain features. The application is free to install, however, to use its services, you need to pay a monthly plan. Among its features are: blocking calls and texts, personalized home screen, application restart feature and dedicated time allowance, which is nothing more than the usage time limit set by the father for the child. It’s an interesting app for parents who want to be aware of what their children find and access on their cell phone.
Family Safety Mode -TikTok
TikTok launched in 2020 a parental control tool that guarantees more security to parents of children and teenagers who use the platform. An application like it poses several risks in terms of content and the very experience of spending hours watching videos. Knowing this, the TikTok team has made available a feature, known as Family Safety Mode or Family Safety Mode, which can be used by parents, as long as they have access to the child’s device and synchronize accounts. From the moment the person in charge binds his/her account to his/her child, he/she will acquire a series of control configurations. There are screen time management options, control of who can send direct messages to that account, and restricted mode option, which censors inappropriate content for that profile. The platform is also campaigning to help raise awareness of children, explaining that they should not participate in challenges that put their physical integrity at risk. Actions to minimize some damage it can bring.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is not a parental control option, but it is a free service for schools and organizations that allows students and teachers to interact inside and outside the classroom. To access it, all you need is a personal Google account. Its function is linked to the organization of activities, communication and creation of classes. And it offers the option to see activities on the same page and materials from a class (usually documents, photos and videos) and so is very useful for students. For teachers, it is interesting because it allows them to send notices and discussions with the class instantly. Regarding security, it’s also legal, because it won’t use the data and contents of the platform’s users for advertising purposes, and it doesn’t display ads either. It is a good alternative for schools that want to make content available to students in other spaces.
Google Family Link
This is another Google alternative to help families create healthier digital habits. Among the features this app offers are activity reports that show the time spent on each app. In this way, it is possible for parents to guide their children towards more responsible choices. With it, it is also possible to set usage limits and lock the child’s device. But without a doubt, the differential of this app is the possibility of knowing where the child is, through the location of the device. Thus, parents are able to maintain greater security for their children. Google Family Link was created for guardians of children under 13 in Brazil (but the minimum age varies according to the needs of each country).
The importance of digital education
It’s no use for parents to use various parental control tools to limit their children’s access and not explain the reasons or teach how children should behave in the virtual environment. Because without understanding and understanding, they can feel controlled, trapped and mostly believe that their tastes and opinions are not important. For this not to happen, those responsible must make it clear that this is not the issue, they need to be present, give attention, love and affection to the little ones. Knowing that they are listened to and respected, they will certainly have no reason to break the rules.
Taking time offline is also important so that parents can lead by example. As difficult as it is, it is necessary to show availability and time for the children. In addition, the ideal is for those responsible to offer leisure options that go beyond the internet, such as, for example, walks in parks, playing with balls and other children, as well as alternatives to explore new spaces and environments with nature. Addressing the issue of privacy is also fundamental, both your own and that of others. Teach children not to take photos or videos of other people without authorization and also instruct them not to reveal unnecessary personal information, as the internet is a space where anyone can have access. Children and technology can walk together, without major inconvenience, but the way is to teach them to use everything sparingly.
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