How to educate children in the use of the Internet: 10 tips

The Internet is a fascinating environment, but we must know how to manage its use, especially in childhood.

The Internet and the new information and communication technologies are recent developments that have completely transformed society. Today most young people see a world without WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Youtube almost inconceivable. But even though today's children are born into a world where these apps, social networks and technologies are omnipresent, they are not born knowing how to use them.But even though they are powerful and very useful tools that make our lives and communication easier, they also have their risks.

Therefore, it is necessary to teach children how to use them. How to educate children on the use of the Internet so that they make good use of this resource? In this article we propose to offer some guidelines and advice in this regard.

Digital natives

Many of us remember a time in our lives when the Internet was a completely unknown concept to the majority of the population. Even for those of us who were born in the 90s, when the subject was already a bit more developed, it was something new and strange that we had to adapt to at the time. Other people saw its birth later in their lives, and had greater complications in understanding how it worked.

Since then, the network of networks has evolved in an incredible way, increasing its potential and allowing the emergence of new technologies.Since then, the network has evolved in an incredible way, increasing its potential and allowing the emergence of multiple technologies and basic applications in our daily lives. Today's children are already digital natives (concept proposed by Prensky in 2001), born in an environment in which new technologies are already fully integrated. This fact means that there are differences with respect to past generations, even at a neurological level.

They have greater multitasking capacity, greater flexibility and greater decision-making capacity, but at the same time less memory capacity, less perseverance and less ability to postpone gratifications and results.

How to educate children in the use of the Internet

Networks are a powerful tool that facilitate multiple tasks and remote communication, but they also have a dark side. Fraudulent use of the networks, online scams, cybercriminals, grooming and cyberbullying, and cyberbullying are some of the most common forms of abuse.grooming and cyberbullying are examples of this. Learning how to use new technologies is essential to be able to make good use of them. And that is why we indicate below a series of tips to help educate in its use...

1. Inform yourself

When educating children and adolescents in the use of new technologies we have to take into account a very relevant factor: while many of us have seen the birth of the Internet as something that has happened throughout our lives, the new generations have been born with them as an element present all over the world, the new generations have been born with them as an element present all over the world.. For them it is something that is natural and intuitive.

2. Keep up to date

Technology advances very quickly, and it would be advisable to be informed of the characteristics of the novelties and the different networks in order to be able to educate with full knowledge of the facts. It is fundamentally a matter of being updated and know the type of digital environments that inhabit and the connections that we have nowadays.. For example, it is not the same to regularly use sites where the very young are in the majority, such as Instagram or Curiouscat.me, as it is to use internet forums on philosophy or technology.

3. Talk to them about the risks

Networks are taken for granted and there is generally a great perception of safety around them. It is necessary to explain to minors that although they have many advantages, they also have their risks, and to expose them clearly. It is not a question of scaring without foundationbut to make them see that there are important risks.

4. Do not prohibit the use of the network

As mentioned above, the use of information and communication technologies or ICT is an element present in our lives, and in the case of today's children from birth. Some people may think that prohibiting their use may be a way to avoid possible misuse and problems. However, we are dealing with a tool that is practically omnipresent in our daily lives and that it is advisable to learn how to handle promptly. To prohibit would only make the child not have knowledge of how it works and if they were to use them, they could be in much greater danger due to lack of knowledge. We must supervise, not prohibit.

5. Generate limits and rules of use

Not prohibiting does not imply an uncontrolled use of the networks by the minor. It is necessary to establish rules and schedules for use, especially when children are young, in order to learn to balance the use of networks with other activities, both homework and obligations as well as leisure activities.

6. Surfing together

The best way to teach is by setting an example. Surfing the web with children and showing them different technologies, applications, games and information can be a way to show them the wonders of technology while educating them on how to use it. It also means sharing a moment with children that can be a source of learning, fun and bonding.

7. The role of privacy

Although partly associated with the point on risks, this element stands out as being fundamental and one of the ones that can have the most consequences. Making them understand what privacy is and the importance of each of the data they publish, what should or should not be published and the associated risks, and how to protect this privacy is one of the fundamental aspects for the education of children. one of the fundamental aspects for the education and protection of minors regarding virtual environments. regarding virtual environments.

8. Parental Controls

The creation of safe virtual environments is appropriate for young children, so that content that could be offensive or traumatic for minors is blocked.

9. Take an interest

Another aspect of great relevance is the fact that the adult, relative or caregiver in charge of the child is interested in their online activity. Not in an invasive or demanding way, but in a communicative and supportive way. Many online problems are not communicated to parents out of fear or embarrassment, when our help could help to solve them. our help could contribute to solving the problems that may arise.. The type of relationship we establish with the relationship between the child and the networks can greatly influence the level of trust and communication of problems in this area.

10. Respect their privacy

As they grow up, children will increasingly demand more intimacy and privacy. Checking the text messages they receive or their Facebook is not pleasant for virtually any teenager and can generate the perception of distrust towards him or her.