THE our children are digital natives, and this is a fact. But whether this digital is more of a curse or more of a delight, monster to harness or resource to exploit, is a question that every parent asks themselves every day. Between children and the web, the point is to understand how help a child get only the best and avoid all the worst that can come from technological devices. Is it possible? We asked Barbara Franco, creator of QUID+, the educational editorial line of Gribaudo – Feltrinelli Group which has just published “Digital Labyrinths”, activity book that helps you approach the responsible use of technological devices.
Children and the web: «Technology is like a knife, you have to know how to use it»
«I often use a metaphor: digital is like a knife, primordial form of technology. Extremely dangerous if the hands holding it are inexperienced, it is very useful if you know how to use it correctly. There are children, even very young ones, who know how to cut very well: because they have undergone a course, supervised by adults, to acquire manual skills and knowledge of the risks. So the point is precisely this: atrue awareness of the tool and training to use it correctly».
First step: awareness
The first point is therefore “awareness of the state of digitalisation of our country”, explains Franco. Over the last two decades, the time spent in front of a screen by children under 2 has doubled. One in two children between the ages of 6 and 10 owns a mobile phone and 44% of children between the ages of 5 and 13 regularly use the internetaccording to what was reported by a survey carried out by the Center for Child Health.
Children and the web, the WHO guidelines
«So let’s start considering and respecting WHO guidelines”. The World Health Organization says that the use of smartphones and tablets should be avoided by children under two years of age, to ensure correct physical and mental development. In preschool age, screen use for one hour can be accepted. But by screens we mean all screens, including TV.
«It is soon clear that Sweden’s change of direction, which has chosen to remove tablets from children’s schools, simply goes in the direction suggested by the WHO», continues Franco. If that one hour of “legal” use is already consumed at home, obviously, the school absolutely must do without screens.
TV vs smartphone: interaction is addictive
LThe interactive screen of a tablet or smartphone then raises additional issues compared to the TV. “I remember a video, released by doctor Daniela Lucangeli, Professor of Developmental Psychology atUniversity of Padua and expert in psychology of learningin which a a six month old baby the smartphone he is “playing” with is stolen. The reaction is comparable to a withdrawal crisis: the interaction activates the same areas in the brain stimulated by drugs.” The attendance of these devices is one true form of addiction. In other words, when we give a cell phone to a child we are giving him a “dose”.
«Let’s compare an episode of Pimpa to 50 seconds of TikTok. And then let’s ask ourselves about the increase in children with attention deficit» continues Franco.
Experience digital together
So what can you do to avoid raising toxic children? It is crucial to roll up your sleeves and accompany them on their digital journey. «Clearly it is more tiring than washing one’s hands and prohibiting everything or allowing everything. But I believe it is the only way to make them autonomous and responsible.”
1. Useful then define clear and shared rules on timing of use of the devices and the moments in which their use must be prohibited. “During the meal, but also before falling asleep: screens directly influence sleep.”
2. Explain in a simple and clear way to the little ones the reasons for these rules and the negative implications of excessive use of smartphones and tablets.
3. Reduce parents’ screen time: do it personally, particularly on social media, to give “the good example.”
4. Limit direct and uncontrolled access to devices. Just put them in the living room instead of his bedroom. This is enough to monitor that the little one is actually following the shared rules, without however invading his space too much (so as to make him feel that we trust him).
5. Define a routine that helps him to self-regulate in the use of devices. «Children like routine very much, and it helps», assures Franco.
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED