7 Steps to Good Digital Parenting

We all want to be good parents and some of us are not 'digital natives'. I find it extremely helpful to continually remind myself how to parent for online and social media guidance. Here are some tips I hope you remember when talking with your kids about being online and your concerns:

1. Talk with your kids

   • Stay calm

   • Talk early and often

   • Be open and direct

2. Educate yourself

   • Search online for anything you don't understand

   • Try out the apps, games, and sites yourself

   • Explore Good Digital Parent tips and resources

3. Use parental controls

   • Activate the safety settings in your operating system, search engine and games

   • Use the parental controls on your children's phones, tablets, and game consoles

   • Monitor your kids' use and their screen time

4. Set ground rules and apply sanctions

   • Agree and sign a family safety contract (Teen Health Educator example here)

   • Set time and place limits for their tech use

   • Enforce sanctions when necessary

5. Friend and follow but don't stalk

   • Friend your kids on social media

   • Respect their online space and don't over do it

   • Encourage your kids to create a good digital reputation

6. Explore, share, and celebrate

   • Go online with your kids and explore their online world

   • Take advantage of new ways of communicating

   • Learn from them and have fun

7. Be a good digital role model

   • Curb your own bad digital habits

   • Know when to unplug

   • Show your kids how to collaborate and create online