Parenting in the Digital Era

Abstract

Parenting is one of the significant challenges that every human being faces in their lifetime. There have been several fundamental changes in the lifestyle of children and adolescents in the twenty-first century compared to those of a previous generation. In today’s digital era, everything has become super fast to such an extent that you need to click your mobile a couple of times to get a sure ticket for a movie or to order your choicest delicacy, which would invariably be delivered straight to your doorstep. The time gap between the genesis of a desire and its realisation has dwindled to a few minutes or even a few seconds. The parent needs to be mindful of their children's digital behavior and ensure that they can guide them about healthy and unhealthy choices in digital encounters. Parents should be well-versed in the online friends of their kids and the nature and quality of the interaction their kids are having with them. Ensuring healthy screen time, which is age-appropriate, is another vital issue that should be considered seriously. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation, children under 2 years of age should not have any screen time. Children between 3 and 5 years old may be permitted one hour of screen time daily, which does not need to be continuous. Parents should ensure that this screen time does not consist exclusively of cartoons or fast-moving visuals. The parent should understand that it is more important to allow the child to play and explore novel aspects of their life rather than restricting their freedom within the four walls of tuition centres, thereby ruining any chance for psychosocial development. Studies from various parts of the world have shown that physical inactivity, apart from increasing the chance for metabolic lifestyle-induced disorders, also paves the way for behavioral addiction, including online gaming disorders as well as substance use disorders in the future. As a parent, it is your primary responsibility to listen non-judgmentally to your child's concerns. Most importantly, it is not about moral policing your child, but about empowering them to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy choices in life, which defines the parent in you.