Like the other incremental responsibilities and freedoms we provide our children as they grow up, online education ideally starts early. Starting with complete zero-tolerance restrictions of media use for children ages 0-2, and evolving into co-engagement, supervision and varying levels of constraints for children ages 3-16.
For very young children ages 3-8, co-engagement is the safest way for your child to participate online. Sitting with your child, viewing the same device and experiencing online activities with them in real-time is ideal. Using technology with your child means you can talk about online experiences as they occur.
As children become more fluent and more engaged online, between ages 8-13, close supervision should be the next stage. Using family accounts and parental controls on family devices supports good communication and awareness on everyones part.
It sound simple, infuriatingly simple but at SafeOnline we understand how difficult it can be to parent post-millennial, post-pandemic children screen focused children. We offer educational resources and services across North America.