Being there for your kids - The Age of Cybertechnology

Episode Date: April 30, 2019

It's true! We live in the age of cybertechnology. Now, that's not a bad thing, and we have all kinds of benefits from having the world at our fingertips. However, when electronics come into our homes, as parents, we need to identify and enforce rules for their usage. In addition to prohibition apps to keep your child off certain sites, you can also install a timer that shuts down their gaming for the day after a certain time. Also, safeguard electronics-free zones (the dinner table?) and balance computer play with outdoor, fresh air play. With these and other rules that come from a family meeting, you can enjoy our age of cybertechnology, as well as healthy family fun and teachable moments.

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. No surprise here. We live in the age of cyber kids. Our kids have or have access to all kinds of electronic devices. Sometimes I ask my six-year-old granddaughter to help me out on my computer. You know what? She does. Not sure if that says more about me or her. Also, no surprise that advanced technology is a two-edged sword. It can greatly benefit our lives and our parenting. It can also be a distraction that erodes family relationships over time. When my wife and I go out to eat, often I casually check iPhone use among families in the restaurant. I have seen a family of five people all separately on their phones, either texting or gaming while waiting for their order to arrive.

Wow. One morning, years ago, my then two-year-old granddaughter had awakened. She played in her crib for almost 45 minutes before looking up into the corner of her bedroom ceiling at the camera and then declaring, okay, mommy, I'm ready to get up now, the age of cyber kids. Technology is a must for today's school kids. Many teachers use the Internet to supplement their lessons. This is one of the blessings of cyber technology. However, folks are also considering computer gaming addiction as a real thing now. When technology has control over you rather than you having control over it, there's something wrong.

Cell phones and other technologies have been known to contribute to sleep loss, cyberbullying, lower school grades, obesity, lack of exercise. What's a parent to do? First, take charge of home technology. Use the available computer and smartphone controls to determine where your kids can go in cyberspace and where they cannot go. Second, use timing apps to determine when your kids can turn their devices on and when they will go off, even if your child is smack in the middle of gaming. Third, declare electronics-free zones, especially around family meal time and bedtime. In fact, create a storage bin for all portable electronics where devices are left before lights out each night. They can be picked back up in the morning. These kinds of changes will be met with outrage by your children if you haven't implemented them

from the get-go. Use a family meeting to address your concerns, active list in your children's outrage, set a length of time as a trial period after which the new rules will be reviewed. However, If these changes have a positive benefit, such as more rest, less fighting, more fun times, more relationship building, then stick to your guns. Rules over technology use will benefit your children in the long run. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist and Christian author, and this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting, is available online at AmazonBooks.com

and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMCP-I-N-C.com.