Cultivating Healthy Cyber Habits
As the new school year begins, Catholic parents face the challenge of navigating the internet with virtue, wisdom, and discernment. Since the internet can involve serious emotional, mental, and spiritual risks, developing a framework for ensuring that our children develop healthy, faith-informed cyber habits is vital. When grounded in faith and Church teachings, the use of the internet can become a source of good for our families and communities. Here are six tips to guide families in nurturing a safe and healthy digital environment:
As the new school year begins, Catholic parents face the challenge of navigating the internet with virtue, wisdom, and discernment. Since the internet can involve serious emotional, mental, and spiritual risks, developing a framework for ensuring that our children develop healthy, faith-informed cyber habits is vital. When grounded in faith and Church teachings, the use of the internet can become a source of good for our families and communities. Here are six tips to guide families in nurturing a safe and healthy digital environment:
Foster an environment of open dialogue. Regularly discuss your children’s online experiences, just as you would discuss their school day. Be open about the dangers of the internet, including accidental exposures to inappropriate content, online predators, and cyberbullying. Encourage them to share if they ever witness any scary or inappropriate images. Make sure they understand that online activity is not private.
Set strict limits for screen time use. On average, children ages 8 to 12 in the United States spend 4 to 6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Understand that excessive screen time can lead to spending less time with family and friends, inadequate physical activity, weight problems, mental health and body image issues, and poor academic performance. The specific time limit is different for every family, but ensure that other activities, such as reading and exercise, take utmost priority over any screen time.
Closely monitor their social media and internet use. It is our obligation as parents to safeguard our children against the dangers of the internet. Make sure that you have full access to your child’s social media account and that you follow them on social media. Monitor their followers. Restrict the use of digital devices to common areas. Learn to use parental controls effectively.
Use technology as a tool for evangelization. Ensure that any time spent on the internet is formative, as this time comes at the expense of other enriching activities. One way to accomplish this is by introducing your children to Catholic content that builds their faith. Some examples include the Hallow, Laudate, and My Spirit FM apps, Father Mike Schmitz — Ascension Presents, The Catholic Talk Show, Life Teen, and Chastity Project.
Celebrate tech-free time as a gift. Establish sacred “unplugged” times, such as during meals and on Sundays. Show your children how to be truly present with the family, and take these opportunities to connect with them. Perhaps they can give up social media for Lent or Advent. Allow them to appreciate the gift of silence and teach them how to better hear God’s voice by detaching from screens.
Lead by example. Follow the same rules that you have for your children, such as putting your phone away during family time. Choose to read uplifting news or faith-based content instead of endlessly scrolling through social media. Avoid gossip, sarcasm, and negativity in comments, and of course, limit your own screen time.
