Technology can be a double-edged sword for parents. On one hand, there are incredible advantages to embracing innovations. On the other, many of us battle to keep screen time down and prevent our homes from becoming tech zones. Like it or not, technology is a feature of modern parenting for many mums and dads. In this guide, we'll share some steps to help your family benefit from new technology.
Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-child-smiling-while-using-tablet-computer-4145032/
Enhancing communication
One of the main issues parents have with integrating tech into everyday life is stifling communication skills. We're all familiar with trying to talk to people who aren't listening or are distracted because they're on a phone or tablet. For parents, it can be frustrating and worrying when kids don't talk or listen because they're locked into a TV programme or YouTube video. There are incredible advantages to using tech to boost communication, but you have to tread carefully.
One of the best things about modern communications technology is that it enables us to stay in touch no matter where we are. As a parent, it's wonderful to have the option to video call your parents, other relatives and friends in different cities, regions or countries, for example. We can stay connected with people we can't see regularly in person and develop stronger relationships. The key to using technology to improve and enhance communication lies in how and when you use it around your children. If they see you using your phone to speak to friends and video call your parents or siblings, they'll pick up on this and see the benefits of using phones and tablets to stay in touch. If they observe you tapping away at a phone while they're trying to talk to you, they'll see that the device is a distraction or barrier. This may put them off using phones when they're engaging with others, but it could also encourage them to do the same. Kids learn from their parents at every age.
Technology can be particularly instrumental for building confidence in communication if children find it hard to express themselves or speak openly. You might find that your child feels more comfortable sending you a text message or an email than talking to you face-to-face. You might also discover that they use tech as a means of expressing themselves if they want to say something or share opinions, ideas or worries without actually saying words. From painting tools and digital art to online games and storytelling apps, there are tools and channels that promote self-expression.
Using technology to communicate can be both a pro and a con. Studies show that more young people experience loneliness now than in previous generations. Spending a lot of time on a phone doesn't always encourage socialisation. If you're a parent, you can help to tilt the balance towards positive communication while regulating screen time and encouraging other interests. There's a lot to be said for supporting children who want to stay in touch with their grandparents or send their friends a message to say something nice, for example. Encouraging this type of behaviour can help children form positive associations and develop healthy habits. It's helpful to establish boundaries, such as time limits and device-free periods and to promote real-life contact and spending quality time with friends and family members.
Picture from https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-sitting-on-sofa-with-two-girls-11368610/
Encouraging relaxation and beating stress
Stress is more commonplace among adults, teenagers and younger children today. Studies show that the likelihood of a child in the UK having a mental disorder has increased by 50% since 2020. Finding ways to manage and prevent stress is beneficial for the whole family. There are many ways to reduce stress that don't involve technology, but tech can be a force for good.
One of the main advantages of using devices and tools to lower stress levels is accessing entertainment. Today, we have a sensational array of activities available to us at the touch of a button. From family games of backgammon and TV box sets to interactive quizzes, video games and movies, we can use technology to relax, have fun and escape sources of stress and worry. Use the time you have together wisely. Snuggle up on the sofa on a Saturday night and watch a film or spend a lazy Sunday afternoon playing online board games with a prize for the winner. Learn and make education fun using online resources or challenge each other to a driving contest, a football game or a battle in a magical virtual world.
Technology can provide a distraction if you're stressed about work or your kids are overwhelmed by exam pressure or the strains of busy days at school. Screen time isn't always negative. If your child watches something educational or plays a game that develops their skills or enables them to relax and feel happy, content and less stressed, this is positive.
It's advantageous to find a balance between tech-based activities and hobbies and those that enable kids to enjoy the great outdoors and learn new skills in other environments. Combine watching films and TV and playing games online with regular exercise, creative pursuits and hobbies such as playing team sports and activities that involve doing drama, playing music and socialising with other kids. Parents can also benefit from downtime. Taking time out to indulge your own hobbies and interests can help you boost your mood and energy levels, reduce stress and protect your mental health.
Image by https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-wearing-white-silicone-strap-black-smartwatch-267394/
Improving your health
Technology plays an increasingly influential role in health and wellness. New devices, apps and tools enable us to learn more about health and well-being, track personal health metrics and goals and encourage positive lifestyle choices and behaviours. Using new technology to improve the health of your family is one of the best benefits of embracing innovation.
Positive ways to use technology to optimise your health include accessing information and resources to support health education and using wearables and apps to monitor your health. The Internet is an amazing resource for learning about health issues and finding information to help you make better choices and understand the importance of your lifestyle. You can access guides about everything from high-quality sleep and nutrition to maintaining good heart health and doing more exercise via your phone, tablet or laptop. If you use the Internet to research, always choose reputable sources and trustworthy, secure websites.
Using wearables and apps is another brilliant way to boost your health and encourage your kids to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Measuring activity levels is an excellent example. By using a wearable device to track steps, for example, you can set targets for every family member and motivate everyone to work towards shared goals, such as 5,000 or 10,000 steps a day or 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Studies show that tracking exercise using technology can increase activity levels among users.
Another good example of using apps to adopt healthier lifestyles is keeping a food diary. If you're a parent in charge of planning the weekly menu, it's natural to want your kids to have a healthy diet. It's not always easy to know what's best for them, especially when there's so much information out there, a lot of which is conflicting. Food diary apps give you access to personalised nutritional information. You can use them to highlight weaknesses in your diet and see where you need to make changes. Your sugar or salt intake may be too high, for example, or you might not be getting enough fibre, iron or protein in your diet. If you know where you're at with your diet, this will help you plan a menu that benefits the whole family.
Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-tutoring-young-boy-4145354/
Educating your children
Traditional teaching methods are still very popular but technology is increasingly integral to modern-day curricula. Children learn how to use computers from an early age and they use all kinds of apps, programmes and resources. Technology often gets a bad rap, but it can be so advantageous for parents and teachers. There are many ways to use tech to educate children and adults. Examples include TV documentaries, online games and puzzles, educational video games, online courses, exercises, tests and exams, interactive storybooks, how-to guides and instruction manuals, webinars and digital workshops. Often, technology can enhance or build upon conventional methods, such as reading books or listening to a teacher explaining a theory or concept and writing on a board. It often showcases and emphasises visual elements, which can make learning easier and more accessible.
As well as benefiting children, technology can also help parents. As kids get older, it can be more challenging to help with homework. They may learn in a totally different way, they may be taking different subjects and the content of courses may have changed significantly. In addition, we all have our limits in terms of what we know about subjects and how much we can remember from our school days. Resources, guides, videos and exercises can help parents learn and support their kids while also making it easier for children to learn, which reduces pressure on mums and dads.
Image courtesy of https://www.pexels.com/photo/father-and-his-children-playing-on-the-bed-7489055/
The role of technology in parenting is a hotly debated subject. In most cases, parents agree that there are pros and cons of embracing new tech. Examples of how you can benefit from technology include improving communication, accessing entertainment to reduce stress and enjoy quality time together, learning how to adopt healthier lifestyles and prioritise health and wellness, and educating your children using diverse, interactive, targeted resources, tools and programmes.
Leave a Reply