How to instill responsible use of new technologies in your children

Since the beginning of time, each generation has benefited from a series of technological advances over its predecessors. In the last decades, however, technical innovation has reached a vertiginous rate of development, which forces us to keep up to date with new developments. At the family level, many parents fear that their children will not make responsible and constructive use of new technologies. Below, we give you the keys to ensure that the youngest children can safely participate in these advances.

First, think of the maxim "the family that sails together, stays together" (and safe, I might add). There is no more effective procedure to encourage sensible use of new technologies than to carry out activities of this kind as a family. For example, spending some time enjoying video games with your children can be a good resource to approach them and monitor their leisure preferences. In this sense, it is also a wise way to control the time of use of new technologies, telling children when it is convenient to leave electronic devices.

Linked to this, the Internet and new technologies cannot be treated as exceptional or deserving of different treatment from other children's or youth activities. Just as we are concerned about our children's friendships at school or on the street, we should also be interested in their online contacts. Without falling into the error of violating the privacy of young people, which could lead them to lose a lot of confidence in us, it is advisable to know which platforms they visit.

If there is any doubt about the appropriateness of using certain applications, we should talk directly with them about this situation. This will also help to maintain fluid communication in the core and allow problems to be detected more quickly. It must be kept in mind that new technologies are subject to limits, like all other daily activities. If this is clearly explained, misuse will be reduced.

Finally, it should not be forgotten that parents are great mirrors for their children. If we are not able to make responsible use of technology (if we do not detach from the mobile phone, for example), our scolding will hardly be effective. Let us assume that this situation has come to stay and let us act accordingly. Naturally.