In this first issue, it’s important for us to address issues that all parents and caregivers of
young children will soon address and those with pre-teens or teens are already addressing to go beyond the use of nicotine. There is important research that tells us a youth that uses the internet at a high volume has a high exposure to vaping content. Because of a high exposure rate, that low risk perception leads to a very high risk of becoming a youth who uses a vaping product compared to low social media consumer. That is just one of the concerns of our youth using social media. We are all aware that the Surgeon General is proposing a warning label on social media sites. So, what do our children need from a wise parent?
BE AWARE: Sure, it’s overwhelming and ever-changing but the internet can certainly be a
dangerous place for our children, so they need their parents, they need you to be aware. What are they doing online? Who are they doing it with? Why are they doing what they are doing? How is it affecting them?
PREPARE: The reality is that the internet is part of life now, so our children need us to prepare them to use it wisely. Take steps to ensure that you are their go-to, not Google. Create a Family Use Agreement that everyone follows (that means you too). Teach and practice internet safety skills. Have regular discussions about digital wellness.
PROTECT: We do many things to protect our children that they may not like or understand, like putting them in car seats or making them hold our hand while crossing a busy street. Here are some tips: Set device parental controls. Add filtering/monitoring to your wi-fi. Keep screens in public areas/ Don’t allow headphones. Shut-down all devices an hour before bedtime.
RESPOND: When something happens or you have a concern, trust your gut and address it. If
you need to, take time to cool off so you can handle the situation calmly. Here are some tips: Let them talk and listen without judgement. Be sure they feel loved. Report any dangerous or predatory behavior to the police. Consider a digital detox. Consult a professional for legal or mental health concerns.
This is all hard. There is peer pressure because there are parents buying their children iPhones when they are in 3 rd grade, and you believe your kids shouldn’t have one till they are in high school. There are no set rules, you must decide what is right for your family.
In the following months, we will discuss the important issue of how to have discussions with
your children about nicotine products. I will leave you with this simple tip. Sixty-one-minute
conversations is greater than one sixty minute conversation. Please feel free to make
comments or ask questions at: Ask Bruce (here).
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