Nowadays, internet is a ubiquitous tool in our lives. It is widely used in areas like communication and social networking. It is also used in education, e-commerce and shopping, entertainment, and work and productivity, to name a few. For both us, adults, and our kids, the internet is a useful tool.
As such, the world of the internet is also an area where kids need guidance as they use and explore. The term “responsible digital citizenship” is now being commonly used. It refers to responsible and ethical online behaviour that we all must practice. Doing this helps us to have a healthy and safe experience in the digital world.
There are many reasons why we parents should teach our children responsible digital citizenship. In this article, we will talk about the most cause of concern for growing kids.
First, addiction to gadgets and the internet is a major concern of many parents. Excessive screen time affects children’s sleep, academics, and over-all habits, so this is a foremost concern that parents must address. If left unchecked, this could lead to addiction that is much difficult to correct.
Second is the spread of misinformation. Without our guidance, children can access volumes of information online that may be untrue or just plain harmful. It is our responsibility as adults to block suspicious sites and sources of information. We must also teach our kids to be discerning in what they see online. Keep an open communication so your child knows to ask you for things that they find out online.
Finally, children must know that their actions online leave permanent digital footprint. Educate them about the consequences of their online actions that may harm themselves or others. A seemingly harmless post today may have consequences in the future. Because of this, we must always remind our children to “think before you click”.
These are just some of the dangers awaiting our children online. These are also why we should take a proactive role in educating our kids about responsible digital citizenship. Sometimes, we parents become too relaxed in our children’s access to the internet. This is a very serious matter that demands our watchful guidance. Take no chances and make sure that you educate your child on how to become responsible digital citizens.