Podcast Provides Tips on How Caregivers Should Monitor Children’s Online Activity
Whether it’s YouTube and TikTok or group chats, children in the present age are growing up online. And it can be challenging for caregivers to keep up with what they are watching or playing.
But, the latest Thriving Kids podcast argues, the caregivers who navigate this landscape the best aren’t the ones with the strictest rules - they’re the ones who engage with children about what they are doing online.
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In the podcast, Dave Anderson, PhD, senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement for the Child Mind Institute, joins actor Busy Philipps for a conversation about what modern parenting entails.
The discussion focuses on why staying connected to children on social media takes active participation, not just passive monitoring, and why watching what they watch (even if it drives you a bit crazy) is important.
Philipps also talks about her own ADHD diagnosis in her late 30s and how that has shaped how she parents. The discussion also takes on more challenging topics - such as the “manosphere,” mental-health misinformation on TikTok, and how to keep children thinking critically about what they are consuming while keeping communication open.
Some expert-supported strategies for staying engaged with children’s media use include:
Watch and play together - and talk it through. The best way to counter negative messages that children pick up online is to experience it alongside them and point out when something isn’t right.
Model the tech habits you want to see. Experts agree the single most effective thing a parent can do is to curtail their own screen use first. Children should be used to seeing your face, not the top of your head bent over a phone. Establish tech-free zones and hours that apply to everyone, caregivers included.
Start from trust, monitor thoughtfully. If a child is on social media, it’s reasonable to follow their accounts and keep an eye on their page, but experts caution against going through texts without a real reason.
Help children build confidence offline. A sense of self that doesn’t depend on likes or followers is a good protection against the pressures of growing up online.
To learn more, listen to the latest Thriving Kids podcast episode.