3 Unique Challenges for Parents in the Digital Age

In this digital age, it is almost impossible to keep your children away from the Internet. Children will soon learn how to use their smartphones, open the Internet to browse the web, chat with others, and play games. It’s especially impressive to see them quickly adapt to the digital age. However, you will face some unique challenges.

As a responsible parent, you should be extremely vigilant, as using the Internet can expose your children to online threats and other forms of trouble. Protect your children from online dangers by learning the 3 most common unique challenges you may face in the digital age.

Cyberbullying

Bullying is everywhere. In the digital age, cyberbullying is beginning to become widespread, and children are the group most vulnerable to bullying. In the past days when the Internet was not available, children suffered bullying on campus and could return home to seek help. As the Internet becomes a ubiquitous reality, no matter where they go, children are not immune to bullying, even at home.

How to Deal with Cyberbullying?

• Tell your children not to respond. Turn off their smartphones. Think twice before responding to others online.
• Learn about the signs of cyberbullying. Kids usually don’t tell parents about cyberbullying; therefore, you should look for signs that your children are cyberbullied. The sooner cyberbullying is discovered, the more likely it is to be resolved before it gets out of control.
• As a parent, you should also regularly check your children’s online activities. Many children participate in cyberbullying activities, while others are harmed. Proper online behavioral education for your children can save them from becoming victims.

Online Predators

Child predators are everywhere on virtual platforms. Children are likely to trust strangers, which is why they are easy targets for online predators. Kids may enjoy chatting with strangers and installing apps that are frequented used by child predators. Online predators are usually patient, and they will deceive the child’s trust step by step in order to finally commit sexual assault.

How to Deal with Online Predators?

• Teach your children how to distinguish child predators. Show relevant news or stories to your children. Tell them not to talk to strangers online. Tell them not to meet any online friends. If someone makes a request to meet, let your children tell you the first time.
• Have a friendly conversation with your children. Tell them how to block or report users when they are being harassed. This way they will ask you for help as soon as they encounter difficulties.
• Using parental control apps is the best solution to your problems. If these problems are not corrected and prevented in the beginning, your children may be at risk.

Screen Time

With screens almost everywhere, controlling your children’s screen time can be a challenge. So how do you limit your children’s screen time? You need to set reasonable limits for your children’s screen time. Here are some tips to guide your children to use the screen.

How to Limit Screen Time?

• Set and enforce daily or weekly screen time limits, such as not touching any device or screen for an hour before bedtime.
• Create tech-free zones or times, such as in the dining area or one night a week.
• Look for interactive options that involve your children in outdoor activities, instead of just pushing and sliding or staring at the screen.
• Use parental controls to block or filter Internet content.

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Consider installing iKeyMonitor on your children’s smartphones to monitor your children’s online activities, including the websites they often browse, the chat applications they use, and many other important information. The app will help you limit screen time and block inappropriate apps and games. As a parent, you need to ensure that your children are safe online.