Parenting, inherently, is a job that is constantly changing and there is no guide book. We all know that. Today's parents face challenges previous generations haven't: raising kids in a digital world. To start, kids on average now get their first smartphone by the time they are 10 years old! So how do you know if you're doing the right things, and being a "good digital parent"? Well, I was able to ask an actual expert that this week, as I hosted Verizon and the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) for an intimate roundtable discussion on parenting in this new virtual landscape.
Stephen Balkam, the Founder and CEO of FOSI, was in town specifically to lead this important conversation with parents, kids, and media members alike. FOSI, whose mission is to make the online world safer for kids and their families, convenes the top thinkers and practitioners in government, industry and the nonprofit sectors to collaborate and innovate and to create a “culture of responsibility” in the online world. It was truly an honor to sit around a table and hear his thoughts on internet safety, digital responsibility, and the like.
Also on hand was Andy Choi from Verizon, to lend his expertise on such things as connectivity for kids (that doesn't involve a way from them to get online) and internet safety in the form of parental control aps and more.
The Good Parenting Program from FOSI strives to empower parents with the tools they need to confidently navigate the digital world with their children. Good Digital Parenting provides expert viewpoints and educational resources, along with practical advice on how to manage issues like screen time, safety and security, and digital citizenship. Learn more: https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/seven-steps-good-digital-parenting/
Here are the tips that Stephen shared with us at the round table. Please visit Verizon and FOSI for additional information and resources.
