Kids Don't Come With a Manual: This Tool Will Help

If you weren't able to attend our Parenting in the Age of Technology Seminar on Wednesday, September 10th, please read on. Here are some of the highlights of the seminar talk by Dr. Anita R. Exley, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist at Chrysalis Counseling Center.  Also included after the list of highlights is a link to the seminar handout. On the last page of the handout is a worksheet your family can use to start creating your own family technology manual.

Highlights (Most are found in the handout):

•   Open and honest communication with children is important at any age.
•   Kids generally think they have certain "rights," but you, as the parent/caregiver, have the authority to grant privileges. As a parent, you always have the option of removing a privilege (such as disallowing video games, cell phone use or some other technology for a set amount of time), and this can be an effective form of discipline.
• Remember to spend time really listening and interacting with children. The number one complaint that kids have about their parents today is that their mom/dad is on facebook or the cell phone too much.
• When considering what technology to allow your child access to, strongly consider the pros and cons of allowing the technology. Do the benefits outweigh the negatives?
• Monitor your child's social media use, but do not participate.
• Overseeing your child's technology time will ultimately help them to manage technology themselves, and in a responsible manner, as they grow up.
• We need to be aware of what kids are accessing (looking at and/or experiencing) on the Internet, phones, video games, etc. Aim to limit their exposure to negative influences.
• We have a limited amount of time to cram things into our children's minds; let's make sure we fill their minds with good things.
• Create your own family technology rules (check out the handout for examples of rules you might choose).
• Before purchasing an app or video game, look up reviews on websites such as commonsense media.

Be sure to access this link for the full 4 page handout.  Below is a photo from the seminar.  Thank you to all who attended.