Parents--Tune in to Technology
Do You Text, Tweet, or Surf the Net?

The way in which children and youth process information today is so different from the way in which parents have traditionally processed information. Children are tuned in with the assistance of computer web-cams, cell phones with all types of messaging and Internet capabilities, and exposure and knowledge of technology that are way beyond some parents’ understanding. It becomes imperative that parents become knowledgeable about all the new technological opportunities for children to utilize and actively interact with. Don’t just provide money for your child to have the latest cell phone/I-phone/Blackberry or games. A parent has the responsibility to know, understand, and have some knowledge of how the new-age conveniences operate. Many children will be more computer savvy than parents. Do not let that intimidate you--get tuned in.

Although an I-phone/cell phone/Blackberry--there are so many different brands with the same capabilities--can look like a simple cell phone, they have the capability of allowing users to surf the net, enter chat rooms, explore and participate in all types of web sites. Many web sites may have innocuous names, and when opened--can be a graphically, sexual site or invitation for intimate conversation. The cell phone provides opportunities to play games, text friends, use a GPX system, and endless possibilities--if you have a charge card to download other accessories.

The list can be endless when you are selecting telephones and their special capabilities. Show an interest in what your child selects. You will not be with your child every moment, so before investing in a telephone--develop guidelines, rapport, and open dialogue at an early age. Trust becomes more important as your child matures and leaves the nest to make new friends and get involved in new adventures and settings. Learn to communicate and educate your child regarding computer and cell phone usage.

Computers have changed from early invention; they come with web cams and other messaging and communication capabilities. Computers can expand a child’s horizon and expose them to cultures and different ways of life that perhaps they are too young to understand. They can participate in sexually explicit conversations through online chart rooms. There are some sexual perverts and sex offenders who spend hours on computers looking for innocent children with whom they can have personal conversations. There will be maturational issues that may be beyond a child’s maturity level. Place your computer in a place where your child can be supervised. Children who prefer computer usage over family time or playing with friends may be spending too much time on the computer. Parents, do not use the computer as a babysitter. If a child seems consumed with being on the computer--you should spend time with your child to monitor his/her usage and find out the sites he/she is visiting on the computer.

Your service providers can provide you with parental controls for your computers. The controls can block certain software. You can purchase filtering software programs that will filter and block adult Internet sites. With information about computers changing everyday, some material of an illicit nature can still slip through the cracks. No…, it is not wrong to sometimes look at some of your child’s e-mails. Sending sexually, graphic, revealing pictures of many teens in uncompromising situations seems to be the new craze. Some are sent by computers, but others are sent by cell phones. Older teenagers will strongly argue with parents about secrecy and privacy. Regardless of the situation, there should be rules in place about using any electronic or computer materials. If you do not have any protection on your computer, check into it immediately.

Children should be taught at any early age not to talk to strangers. Teach the meaning of the word confidentiality. There are some things about the family that should not be shared. Talk about the dangerous of sharing too much information on the Internet. Many of the social network sites encourage users to tell information about themselves, family, address, school, and many other personal things that some parents might think intrusive. The sites encourage you to post family pictures and personal pictures--sometimes uncompromising situations or poses. Always ask to view the site, especially if your child is participating in social networks. Be aware that some social sites are locked. You cannot view or become a “friend”. You cannot view some sites if you are not “invited.” You must be a “friend” to enter some sites. While young children often do not mind seeking parent approval of their social sites, older teenagers frequently insist on keeping some information secret. This is the stage where teenagers will use the words and phrases, “private”, “my business”, and “you are being nosey”. Some of the names of the more familiar social sites are FaceBook and MySpace. There are many other sites, but these two are quite popular. Some users are posting information on both sites.

Don’t overlook music downloads. Music can be downloaded directly to cell phones, I-phones, I-Pods, and the computer. Don’t just sit back and let your child walk around with earplugs stuck in his/her ears, and listening to music--you would fall out if you heard it aloud. Yes, that is the thing that everyone is listening to now. Friends will send songs to each other via cell phones. A word of caution, sometimes excessive music downloads can provide all types of viruses to your computer. Some music sites are more secure than others.

Many of the accessories and features on I-Pods, I-phones, and cell phones will cost a minimal “fee” for usage. Do not just pay your child’s or teenager’s telephone bills without reading--read the bills from the carriers. Sometimes you will receive a charge for existing services that some small companies will add to your bill--especially, if your child/teenager surfs the net--meaning, spending a lot of time on the computer--visiting different web sites. When you visit a site and put in personal information, you may get an 800 service--that will be in addition to your regular service contract.

Sometimes we punish our child and say you cannot talk on your cell phone. That is no punishment. The new thing is “texting”. They communicate by text messages. You would be surprised to see how many minutes are used for text messaging. Review your text message plan for receiving and sending text messages. Teenagers can text from 800 on up to six or seven thousand messages a month. Many of those messages can be short, only one or two words in length. There is a new language for texting--short word abbreviations. When I first started receiving text messages, it took me awhile to decipher them. I had to change my processing procedures to read and interpret short messages. Always check into a family plan if you have several telephones.

Technology is apart of our lives. Cyberspace offers a wealth of information at our fingertips. The many technologies of today have empowered and changed the roles and relationships that parents share with their children. Thus, it becomes incumbent that parents get tuned in to what is going on in their child’s world.