The digital world is new and exciting but carries dangers; parents need to understand the realities of the internet to help their children to use digital technology responsibly and safely, according to a researcher at Durham University. A new book, Raising Children in a Digital Age, by Dr Bex Lewis, will be published on Friday, February 21.
Dr Lewis, a Research Fellow in Social Media and Online Learning, has written the book in response to parents’ worries about children’s activities on the internet, in relation to social media, gaming sites and the availability of online pornography.
Publication of Raising Children in a Digital Age follows Safer Internet Day (Tuesday, February 11) which promoted safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world.
The book, which pulls together the latest research findings and surveys surrounding digital technology, shows that parents worry that their children are more computer literate than them, but want to learn more about the possible benefits of using the web. Dr Lewis argues that rather than banning children from digital media, parents should allow them to be gradually introduced to areas of the web as they get older. She compares parents encouraging children to use the internet responsibly to teaching them to ride a bike.
Dr Lewis, a Research Fellow in Social Media and Online Learning in the CODEC research group at St John’s College, Durham University, said: “In the same way as you’re beside your child when they learn to crawl, walk and ride a bike, right up to when they learn to drive, you have to teach them to respect the digital environment, look for the opportunities and be aware of the potential dangers.
“Talk to them about what they are seeing and experiencing and give them freedom within boundaries as you would in any other space.
“We need to understand the realities of the situation online, to ensure that debates about child digital safety are balanced with an understanding of how children truly engage with the digital spaces, and an appreciation of the benefits of digital engagement.”
The book, published by Lion Hudson, offers parents practical tips about discussing the internet with children as well as links to useful website where they can learn more about using digital media safely.
Dr Lewis also offers advice to those who work with children such as youth workers and teachers, such as sharing too much information online that could be potentially accessed by pupils.
The book also includes a list of explanations for parents of digital media terms such as:
Selfie – a carefully posed photograph of yourself;
Creeping – following someone online by watching their social networking to an unhealthy degree;
Drama – Commonly interactions between teenage girls involving backstabbing, blackmailing, gossiping and betraying friends.
