Educating children about technology, 4 practical tips for parents

Digital devices (video games, smartphones, etc.) and children: a complex relationship that has been much debated and still discussed today. But what is the truth? Can children approach the technological world peacefully or should they be given strict restrictions? To shed some light on the American writer Jordan Shapiro , professor of philosophy, communication expert and author of the book The method to raise children in the digital world,published in Italy by Newton Compton Editori. We interviewed Shapiro, one of the world’s leading experts in digital skills and technology in education, who told us how in his book, which was very successful, he proposed an “alternative” educational method in relation to children and digital culture. with practical advice on how a parent can educate their children effectively in a hyper-connected world.

The idea for the book was born while the author watched his children play. “I realized that they would grow up in a very different world from the one I grew up in, and that many of their core experiences would be different from mine. Much of my children’s life is about digital gaming . And I asked myself: “What does this mean for humanity as a whole? How will culture change? Society? And civilization?”

“Then I realized that I was formulating my questions in the wrong way, because digital devices don’t use us, but we are the ones who use them. We shouldn’t be wondering what technology will do to our children. Instead, we should ask ourselves how we can educate our children to use technology in a way that aligns with our values ​​and, furthermore, use it to create the kind of world we want them to live in. Digital devices exist, they go everywhere and they are here to stay.

Hence, we need to embrace and overcome the challenges this new technology presents, not to complain about the existence of these challenges. Adults must stop finding scapegoats and start taking responsibility for the future. “

According to Jordan Shapiro , digital games are, in some ways, like all other games and, at the same time, different.

“On the one hand, we need to recognize that when our children play in a digital ‘sandpit’, they are creating social and emotional skills for a connected world. They are learning to mediate their experiences through a specific set of tools. On the other hand, if our children spend all their time developing digital skills and don’t build face-to-face social relationships , there is indeed a problem ».

The importance of balance

“I think adults should ask themselves, ‘What is the percentage of our digital social interactions compared to face-to-face ones?’ As far as I’m concerned about 50 or 60% of my interactions are now digital. So, if I wanted to give top priority to my kids’ face-to-face social skills, that would be weird. Instead, the important thing is to aim for a balance , to recognize the importance of both types of relationships “.

So we don’t have to worry if our children use digital devices such as smartphones and tablets from a very young age?

“Well, I think it really depends on the baby. There are very important non-digital things that young children need. For example, they need to explore the world, to touch things. They need a lot of eye contact, interaction and dialogue with adults. If young children already have all of these basic things, it won’t hurt them if their parents give them a tablet for a short time . But if the child sits alone and looks at a screen all day, without parental attention, there is obviously a problem ».

How many hours should a child up to 7/8 years spend in front of the computer or television?

“This is a funny question… as if one second too long could cause development problems. It is not so. It all depends on the child. Personally, instead of giving restrictions, I prefer to have positive expectations. I expect my children to play outdoors, read books, talk to other people, etc. If they do all the other things I expect of them, why limit what they choose to do with the time left? This type of approach is the best because it encourages children to manage their time, to take responsibility, rather than to obey the rules and orders related to their parents’ agenda. “

«The school is almost always technological. The pencil is a technology. The desk is a technology. The whiteboard is a technology. Paper is a technology. The school bell is a technology.

And in general, most subjects are just tools we use to understand the world and to communicate in a collaborative and social way. Therefore, it is essential that technological devices are integrated into the school experience. After all, mathematical thinking today is of little value if it cannot be communicated digitally.

Sure, arithmetic is important (it always will be), but remember that it’s “theory”: using and building spreadsheets is the new skillset . Children need both. And school is precisely where they should practice using new tools to communicate old concepts. This is what the school is and always has been ».

Connection between smartphone use and possible psychological or attention disorders: can this be true, as some studies claim?

“Most of these studies have already been downsized . As for psychological disorders, Oxford researchers Amy Orben and Andrew Przybylski looked at the results of one of the most cited studies and found that it relied on weak correlations and insufficiently exhaustive methods. Concerning attention disorders, the research I have examined suggests a correlation in the opposite direction: children with attention disorders are attracted to screens, but it is not screens that cause attention disorders.

1. Avoid strict rules
2. Use the media together
3. Introduce them to life online and social media when they are young
4. Don’t blame digital technology for deeper problems

Avoid strict rules

“We often want our children to develop a healthy relationship with technology, but the way we talk about it promotes the opposite. Instead, we need to encourage our children to positively integrate digital media into their lives. For this reason, “modeling and moderation” are better ways of doing the ” on / off switch” mentality ».

Use the media together

Scientific research is clear on this: children need adults to make sense of their digital and online experiences (just like real-life experiences). Studies have shown that we parents do just the opposite: Almost all family interactions with digital media involve restrictions, technical support, or negotiations about limits and rules.

We should teach our children to use digital tools in order to align them with our values, not to make them imagine them as hedonistic temptations ».

Introduce them to life online and social media when they are young

“Every parent knows that when children are very young, they want to be just like their parents. And this is a good time to start teaching them good digital habits. Unfortunately, parents often allow children their first access to life online exactly as they hit puberty or adolescence. It’s a terrible time to start: hormones are breaking in, kids want to rebel against everything their parents say, and we all know teens are drawn to risky behavior. So it doesn’t make sense. ‘

Don’t blame digital technology for deeper problems

“There is a lot of talk about video game addiction. And it’s devastating when a child develops an unhealthy relationship with technology. But remember that this is only a symptom of a much deeper psychological problem: perhaps it is about confidence, self-esteem, or trauma. These children need their parents to provide them with love, support and acceptance. Sometimes they may need professional help for more complex cases. And, given that the intervention is certainly appropriate in some cases, adults must always remember that the scapegoat of video games will only address the symptom, not the cause ».