How to Raise Digitally Smart Kids

Successfully raising children, almost by definition, means preparing them for the challenges that life might dispense. One thing we can be reasonably sure of is that the children of today will inhabit a world that’s defined by digital technology. If they don’t understand how that technology can be used, for good or bad purposes, then they might find themselves missing out – or being made vulnerable.

As such, you’ll want to do everything possible to provide your kids with the right digital foundations. But exactly what do these look like?

Teaching Online Safety from the Start

Safety and privacy should be major concerns, right from the start. Make sure that you’re using platforms that are child-friendly, and that you have age-appropriate conversations about online risk. Above all, reassure your children that they can tell you anything about what they see online, and that they can come to you if they’ve been made to feel uncomfortable.

Encouraging Healthy Screen Habits

The sheer quantity of screen time that your children are exposed to matters, too. This is where you can lead by example. Don’t passively scroll through your phone in front of your children, and make sure that you establish clear boundaries and rules. For example, you might prohibit the use of phones at the dinner table, or in bed.

Protecting Personal Information and Family Devices

Children should be empowered to protect and value their own personal data, through the use of password managers, multi-factor authentication, and a few basic principles and precautions. In an age where children can explore the online world on their own, using a free VPN for PC, it’s more important than ever that they understand how to protect themselves – and other people, too.

Supporting Learning with Quality Digital Tools

Digital technology isn’t always simply a source of distraction. It can also provide a valuable means of staying creative, and solving problems. You might pick out a few educational games, websites, and applications. These services can give your children a leg up when it comes to just about any subject, from foreign languages to arithmetic to programming.

If you’re unsure of whether a resource is age-appropriate, then there’s no substitute for giving it a try yourself. In many cases, using a given service together might provide an additional layer of value that can’t be obtained by just one of you using it in isolation.