While Macworld.com may not be a normal “go to” website for parenting advice, I do think an article written by Abbi Perets is a good reminder for any parent trying to navigate through the technological wilderness of gadgets + teens.
I often hear from parents who are struggling to keep up with new technology, all the new apps and the ways to structure usage. While she points out some technical points, it’s also made clear that no technological “safety net” is ever 100% successful. The best way to keep your kids safe in our ever connected world is to make sure they are the ones keeping themselves safe. Talk to your kids, starting as early as possible about all your concerns, all the dangers and all the issues that may arise from impulsively using social media and having an online presence.
The pull quote from the article states it best:
“No one app or setting can keep your teens safe online, which means you need to start talking to your kids about your concerns.”
Talk, talk, talk. Communication, like always, is the key.
To read Abbi’s entire article visit Macworld.com.