How Your Parenting Style Positively Impacts Your Childs Online World

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We live in a world of technology. To look at from 30 years ago, what we have now would seem out of a science fiction movie. There may not be the silver jumpsuits and wackadoo hairstyles, but there are some mighty jumps in technological advancement.

Raising children in a world where we carry computers in our pocket is an issue unique to our generation. We have questions that haven’t been asked before, and with so many opinions running rampant on the internet, it can be hard to decide which one is the “right” one.

Three Styles of Digital Parenting

When it comes to raising your children in the digital age, there have been research and studies on what methods parents use when teaching their kids about electronics and media, and the results of that child’s upbringing.

Imagine a spectrum of electronics use in the home. There are currently three styles, each with their own majority age group and views towards technology along this spectrum.

1. Enablers

Parents who are enablers generally go along with what their kids want and are interested in. There’re no real limits on technology use. While in the study there were parents of smaller children that fell into this category, almost half were parents of teens, suggesting they’ve simply given in to whatever their teen wants.

2. Limiters

If enablers are on one end of the spectrum, limiters are on the far opposite. They allow only the barest minimum of use when it comes to electronics and instead attempt to keep their child’s interests focused on outdoor play, arts and crafts, or any number of other activities. Interestingly, almost half of this group were comprised of the parents of toddlers and preschoolers.

3. Mentors

Nestled right in the center of the technology use spectrum are the mentors. These parents neither limit or allow free unsupervised use of electronics, but instead use computers and the internet as a way to teach. Instead of cutting them off, these parents believe that it’s up to them to show their children how to use the technology for research, as well as how to stay safe and protected while online. Where limiters parent mostly young ones, and enablers parent teens, mentors have equal amounts of children in each age range.

Which is Best?

It paints an interesting picture. The research could suggest parents—scared of all they’re reading of the terrible effects of technology use in kids—start by restricting it as much as possible. Over time, though, their resolve breaks down until they just let their teens have whatever they want.

Mentors, on the other hand, seem to have a solid plan that works for all age ranges. Instead of trying to control what their children see, which can lead to emotional issues down the line as the children are forced to face real world issues they’re unprepared for, they guide and help their children to grow.

Helping our children adapt to an ever growing number of technology in our world will prepare them for a better tomorrow.

Tyler Jacobson is a proud father, husband, writer and outreach specialist with experience helping parents and organizations that help troubled boys. Tyler has focused on helping through honest advice and humor on: modern day parenting, struggles in school, the impact of social media, addiction, mental disorders, and issues facing teenagers now. Follow Tyler on: Twitter | Linkedin

Tyler Jacobson
Tyler Jacobson is a freelance writer, with past experience in content writing and outreach for parent and teen advocate organizations. His areas of focus include: parenting, education, social media, addiction, and issues facing teenagers today. Follow Tyler on: Twitter | Linkedin | Google +