Nowadays it is rare to find pre-adolescent boys and girls who have not related in any way to tablets and smartphones. They are not yet old enough to need their own device (especially thinking about its use to communicate with others), but they learn to look for applications, play games, take pictures and videos, etc.
It is true that we all know kids who are eight years old already have a mobile phone for themselves, but for me it is an act of unnecessary consumerism since during their free time they are with adults or near them. In any case, the years pass and with children already become teenagers, it will often be convenient for them to have a means of communication within reach. How to educate them in the use of these technological means? If a few months ago we approached the basic criteria to decide when a mobile phone / smartphone is bought from children, today (and by the Office of Internet Security - OSI -) we would like to explain what is it to guide children on this issue, and how can parents do it?.
With guidance, we do not mean explaining how to access the different applications and tell the tricks you can use to be more agile in the use of the devices (surely in this work the child can teach us lessons). Just as you indicate the behaviors that are right or wrong in the real world, you must also guide him in the behavior he must have in the virtual world. And as you well know, this work is carried out continuously
Some of the most important aspects of the OSI 'Safety Decalogue for Parents' are:
Share with children the time spent on devices
Since situations will arise in which they will need our support. These devices are not a 'babysitter' that is great for us while we take care of other needs, our children come first, and a high percentage of 'things we believe necessary to finish' while we are with them, are expendable.
We must worry about knowing who their 'cyber friends' are, what pages they like to visit, it is not enough (although necessary) to have a parental control program. Children (even when they are teenagers) value contact and communication with parents, this is irreplaceable, and if we are available when they are young, it will be easier for them to come to us when they have problems over the years.
Privacy rather than fun
You must convey to your child that, like he lost his ball or his wrist when he forgot it on the bus, the same thing can happen when a photo is sent or personal information is published through email, social networks, chat , blogs, etc.
As you can see, it is not just about configuring privacy in social networks or the security mechanisms of the device. In the case of a virtual world, many children find it difficult to understand, but the truth is that when personal content transcends the circle of closest friends, very uncomfortable situations can occur. Not forgetting that many times it is those of us who believe 'friends' who misuse our information or take advantage of it for their benefit.
When I have worked with groups of teenagers in workshops on privacy in Social Networks, I was surprised to discover the high number of boys and girls who suffer impersonation in Social Networks, or to those who 'steal' the password to access their information. When I get to the end of the matter, I find that in most cases it is carelessness (involuntary if you want) that have caused this situation. Therefore we must emphasize that their access codes are not provided to any friendship under 'any' concept.
Respect also in virtual relationships
Just as you teach them to respect the properties of others and to behave in public places, you must transfer these same lessons in the use of your smartphone or tablet
In fact, the term Netiqueta has begun to be coined to collect the main guidelines that should be followed when we use the various services provided by the Internet.
Many of these tips are based on transfer basic education standards to our Internet relationships, such as not insulting, addressing others with respect, respecting the rights of others or not using forms of expression that can be annoying (for example, writing in capital letters is considered to be shouting).
And we must not forget that also we must prevent our children from being involved in episodes of cerbullying or sexting as the main actors (not victims), for fun or for feeling pressured. These types of actions may be subject to sanctions, and they are also inappropriate behaviors.
If common sense is applied in the use of these means, we ensure healthy use, and avoid many problems. Therefore, our active presence is necessary.
