There is often talk of the importance of educating children
and adolescents to use new technologies. In fact, the Internet is an extremely
useful and powerful tool, capable of improving the quality of life in an
extraordinary way. Through the mobile phone, in fact, today we can read books,
search for recipes, shop and find our way around the world. In short, with the
cell phone we can do almost everything. As an extremely powerful tool, however,
it is important to use it properly and responsibly. This is why it is important
to invest in education for new technologies of the new generations. But to do
this, of course, the adult should also get involved. Often, in fact, we
overlook the fact that it is fundamental, first of all, to educate parents on
the use of smartphones and tablets. Only in this way, in fact, it is possible
to transmit a positive and responsible model for the use of new technologies.
EDUCATING PARENTS TO USE SMARTPHONE AND TABLET:
It is impossible and, above all, useless and harmful to
completely deprive children of new technologies. Our society is moving in that
direction and, therefore, it is more appropriate to educate children to use the
Internet in a conscious and responsible way, rather than to completely deprive
them. Obviously, however, it is essential to take into account the age and
development level of the child. It is impossible to think, in fact, that a
four-year-old boy could have the same access to a cell phone as a twelve-year-old
boy.
Today's babies are called "digital natives"
because, from birth, they find themselves immersed in technology. Perhaps for
the first time in history, they are the little ones who apparently seem to know
more about their parents on how to use smartphones and tablets. The children,
in fact, already very young, manage to explain how to move in the world of the
internet. For their parents, however, it is often a relatively new reality.
They approached technologies perhaps as a child, but were not born immersed in
this world. Even for adults, therefore, the world of the Internet and its
potential are still to be discovered. For this reason, perhaps, it is necessary
to take a step back before educating children to use the Internet. It is
fundamental, in fact, to ask ourselves if, as adults, we know how to regulate
ourselves in the use of new technologies.
EDUCATING PARENTS TO USE SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EXAMPLE
Many times parents report serious concerns about the time
children spend in front of their cell phones. This is understandable. Recent
studies show that, on average, children, even very small ones, spend most of
their day in front of a device. It really makes an impression to see how
absorbed the children are in front of a screen. If we happen to see a child in
front of a phone and / or a tablet, we all remain open-mouthed. But let's try a
moment to broaden our horizon. Let's try to look around on the subway, at the
bus stop or in a bar. What are most adults doing?
We live in a world completely immersed in new technologies.
Staying out of them is impossible, but learning to use them consciously and
responsibly is possible. Indeed, our duty. How can we educate children to use
their mobile phone responsibly if they don't commit themselves to work first?
Educating parents on the use of smartphones and tablets therefore becomes
fundamental.
EDUCATING PARENTS TO USE SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS: HOW LONG ARE WE CONNECTED?
New technologies are taking up our time more and more. How
often do we watch the time on the phone? The arrival of a WhatsApp message,
Facebook notification or Instagram like? The time of the appointment at the
dentist? The title of that song we don't remember anymore? And if there is some
free time, who is not going to browse the profiles of friends and
acquaintances? In short, how many times in an hour do we unlock the keyboard
and look at the bright screen?
As is known, children struggle to manage time in front of
telephones. And the same goes for adults too. For this reason, educating
parents on the use of smartphones and tablets is essential. Not to demonize its
use, but to be aware of the effort that can be done to get away from the phone.
In fact, the risk of becoming dependent on it is very high.
EDUCATING PARENTS TO USE SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS: TECNOFERENCE
Not only. An American research has highlighted another very
important effect of the excessive use of mobile phones and tablets. The study,
conducted by Illinois State University and the University of Michigan, focused
on the concept of techno reference. The term indicates the interference during
interactions related to the continuous and repeated interruptions related to
the use of the mobile phone. In fact, communication is not just verbal. When
two people interact, looks and eye contact also become fundamental. Inevitably,
with the constant interruptions related to the use of the mobile phone, this
communication is disturbed. And this also occurs in the interaction between
parents and children.
The results are worrying. The constant interruption to throw
an eye on the mobile phone, reply to the message or watch social media can lead
to important consequences on the relationship between parents and children.
This emerges especially when they occur in daily sharing moments, such as
during meals or in the routine of falling asleep. But not only. Research shows
that the effects of techno-resistance can also be transferred to the
psycho-emotional well-being of children. Indeed, emotional or behavioral
difficulties may arise.
EDUCATING PARENTS TO USE SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS: THE IMPORTANCE OF SHARING RULES
Smartphones and cell phones allow us to do many things. Some
of these, unthinkable even just a few decades ago. That said, the time spent in
front of smartphones and tablets is far too much. Some studies indicate that
the time spent in front of the mobile phone by adults is really a lot. How,
then, to educate parents on the use of smartphones and tablets, so that they
can also be a reference model for children? First, it is important to share
some rules. This does not mean that the time that parents have to stay on the
phone must be equal to that of the children. Rather. The adult also uses it
(but not always) for valid reasons. However, at the same time, it is important
to share some rules for positive and responsible use. The concepts on which it
can be useful to reflect are:
THE WEATHER
How long can you stay in front of the screen? For adults, it
can be helpful to monitor the time spent in front of the phone. There are several
applications, created precisely to empower a conscious use of smartphones.
Sometimes, having an idea of the time spent online can lead us to reflect and
change our habits.
SPACE
Can the mobile phone always be used? It is now automatic to
remove the mobile phone from your pocket or bag as soon as you have a free
moment. Even at the supermarket checkout, to cheat time. But also when chatting
with friends, during family meals, before falling asleep. Choosing together the
moments in which it is good to leave the mobile phone aside can be very useful
for carving out moments that are not polluted by continuous interference and
distractions.
As repeatedly said, new technologies are a very powerful
resource. The opportunities they offer us are innumerable. There is no need,
therefore, to demonize technology and progress, but it is much more useful to
take action to make responsible and positive use of it. For this reason,
educating parents on the use of smartphones and tablets becomes a main
objective.
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