Parenting in the 4.0 era

Technology is an inevitable trend. Therefore, parents need to choose a way to accompany their children in the digital world .

Nowadays, raising children is not only about taking care of meals, sleep or moral training, but also includes orienting children to live in a digital environment - a place where people connect with each other, and between people and machines. In that context, the question is whether technology can help parents and children connect more closely or create invisible disconnection between family members.

Technology has opened up unprecedented opportunities for connection. For example, busy mothers can still use health monitoring applications to know if their children are getting enough sleep or exercising properly; from websites, open learning materials from the Ministry of Education and Training help parents have more reference sources, accompanying their children on the journey of acquiring knowledge. At the same time, on Youtube Kids there are many online lessons, skill courses, educational videos or language learning applications such as Duolingo that have become effective tools to support children's learning process.

It is undeniable that if technology is used properly, it will support parenting more easily and effectively. However, the current development of technology has created a familiar scene in many modern families where both parents and children sit at the same dining table but each person holds a device, such as: Phone, laptop or iPad and eyes are only focused on the screen, meals are no longer filled with laughter, sharing and exchanging are replaced by the sound of swiping the phone and indifferent nods.

Some survey results show that children aged 6-12 spend an average of more than 4 hours a day in front of the screen, not including online learning time. Meanwhile, the time spent directly interacting with parents is less than 30 minutes a day. Many children say that their parents are "always busy", "only texting but rarely talking". There are many cases of children being addicted to games, depressed, and even having behavioral disorders due to a lack of real connection in the family and uncontrolled abuse of technology.

Ms. Lam Thi Truc (residing in Long Xuyen City) shared: “Many parents think that equipping their children with modern devices, studying online, and attending online classes is enough to show their concern. But technology cannot replace the love, presence, and listening of relatives, especially parents. What a child needs most is not an iPad or a smartphone, but a warm hug from parents when they are sad, a sympathetic look when they stumble, and words of encouragement when they are discouraged. When technology becomes a “babysitter” or “chat buddy” instead of parents, that is when the connection between parents and children gives way to a disconnect in family relationships.”

Technology is an inevitable trend, so children's access to technology is inevitable. Therefore, parents need to choose a way to accompany their children in the digital world. The important thing is not to separate technology from family life, but to create quiet moments, technology-free times for parents and children to truly connect emotionally, with full presence. Many experts advise that each family should set up "screen-free hours" which can be during meals, a weekend evening, or sightseeing trips to connect with each other. In particular, parents need to master technology instead of being caught up in it, when real presence is placed above virtual interactions, when emotions and sharing become the bridge, technology becomes a companion that connects parents and children instead of a divider and disconnector. At the same time, let children recognize the surrounding values in daily life, judge right from wrong; guide and equip children with skills to cope with negative impacts from the online environment, helping children have a "filter" against online and direct harm.

MY LINH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nuoi-day-con-thoi-4-0-a421714.html