NICOLLE EMBRA Cyber Safety Expert, The Cyber Safety Tech Mum
C O L U M N
Agreeing with your partner about how your child uses tech It is normal for parents to occasionally have different
out of school commitments and chores. You will then
views on how they should parent their children. It is
gain an idea of the times of day your children have
therefore understandable that tech usage rules for
‘free-time’ and this can help with deciding when they
children can be difficult for parents to agree on.
can use their screens.
One parent may enjoy playing online games and
In some situations, it could be helpful to map out
see no reason to restrict the children from doing the
what is currently happening over a few days so you
same. The other parent may have experienced sleep
can compare this with your new, loosely planned, day.
issues and noticed a difference when they stopped
If you have ever viewed the reports from Apple Screen
using their screen an hour before to going to bed.
Time on your own screen usage, you may have been
What about children using phones in their bedroom?
shocked at how much time you spent on your device.
This issue can cause enormous tension. So how can
The same could happen here by comparing ‘today’ to
you come up with guidelines and boundaries for tech
your new plan.
use in our home when you and your partner do not see eye-to-eye? Try these tips.
You cannot change your partner’s behaviour, but
See if you have any similar views around screen
technology you desire in your home. It only needs
time and try to agree on those. For example, your
one parent to start taking small actions to make a
partner might be all for allowing the children to watch
difference to how tech is used in the home. Children
TV before bed, but maybe you can both agree that
see and hear more than we realise sometimes!
they should not use their screens as soon as they get
Continue to model how you would like tech to be used
up in the morning.
in your home so your children have an example to follow.
Try to understand, and respect, each other’s
Continue to offer up screen-free activities to your
differences. For example, your partner may believe
kids. Take a few moments to note down the off-
they are bonding with the children by sharing screen
screen activities your children enjoy. You can even
time. They may like to relax by using their screen, and
include them in this activity. They may suggest things
so let the children do the same.
you did not realise they enjoyed! Create a list you can
You may believe the children are not getting sufficient exercise or not socialising enough. If you can each understand the other’s views, compromise might be easier to achieve. It can often help to work out how a normal day should look for your children. Your partner may then be able to see there are other activities your children should be engaged in rather than spending time on their screens.
you can continue to model the behaviour with
pop onto the fridge/wall or, even better, near your central charging station. This can offer alternative activities when your children go to pick up their devices. www.linkedin.com/in/nicolle-embra-804259122
www.linkedin.com/company/the-cyber-safety-tech-mum
www.thetechmum.com
www.facebook.com/TheTechMum
Loosely planning their day will allow you to include time for getting ready for school, meals, homework,
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M A R C H • A P R I L 2023