I am a parent to 3 teenagers so believe me when I tell you that I understand how hard it is to manage the use of devices at home. I am competing for my kids’ attention with powerful pocket computers delivering up-to-the-second news, gossip, trivia, entertainment, Instagram posts, TikTok videos and Snaps from friends, all apparently way more interesting than I am. It is no wonder that parents are not too thrilled with all the screens in their homes. To the parents out there I suggest that maybe we could close the generation gap a little by adopting a more tech-friendly posture. It’s true we all use our smartphones to organize our family calendars, schedule carpools and get directions to the next soccer game. But how about we try to use them more the way our kids do, and have a little fun online.
I am a parent to 3 teenagers so believe me when I tell you that I understand how hard it is to manage the use of devices at home. I am competing for my kids’ attention with powerful pocket computers delivering up-to-the-second news, gossip, trivia, entertainment, Instagram posts, TikTok videos and Snaps from friends, all apparently way more interesting than I am. It is no wonder that parents are not too thrilled with all the screens in their homes. To the parents out there I suggest that maybe we could close the generation gap a little by adopting a more tech-friendly posture. It’s true we all use our smartphones to organize our family calendars, schedule carpools and get directions to the next soccer game. But how about we try to use them more the way our kids do, and have a little fun online.
Here are 4 reasons to love technology as much as your kids.
There’s An App for That!
Can’t think of what to make for dinner? Download an app that offers millions of recipes plus shopping list planner. Need to organize a team party? Use Signup Genius and get everyone to pitch in. Convinced you can beat your college friend at 80’s trivia? Extend a mobile challenge. Looking for a date night plan? OpenTable and Flixter - your guides to dinner and a movie - wherever you are. Throwing a party? Evite is the easiest way to send invitations and know how many guests to expect.
Can’t think of what to make for dinner? Download an app that offers millions of recipes plus shopping list planner. Need to organize a team party? Use Signup Genius and get everyone to pitch in. Convinced you can beat your college friend at 80’s trivia? Extend a mobile challenge. Looking for a date night plan? OpenTable and Flixter - your guides to dinner and a movie - wherever you are. Throwing a party? Evite is the easiest way to send invitations and know how many guests to expect.
Snap and Chat
I’m not interested in the pressure of keeping up a Snapchat ‘streak’ but I do have a few group chats with close friends over iMessage that keep me smiling. We share photos, inside jokes, memes, memojis, and encouraging words. Sometimes it’s just enough to brighten an otherwise hectic day.
I’m not interested in the pressure of keeping up a Snapchat ‘streak’ but I do have a few group chats with close friends over iMessage that keep me smiling. We share photos, inside jokes, memes, memojis, and encouraging words. Sometimes it’s just enough to brighten an otherwise hectic day.
Personalized Infotainment
From Spotify playlists, Netflix binges, niche-interest Podcasts, Books, and yes, even some great stuff on YouTube for those of us over the age of 8 - there’s a ton of fun to be found online. You can find music and entertainment for every mood -from Mozart to Lizzo, silly comedies to historical fiction, true crime stories and the best clips from the late night talk shows.
From Spotify playlists, Netflix binges, niche-interest podcasts, books, and yes, even some great stuff on YouTube for those of us over the age of 8 - there’s a ton of fun to be found online. You can find music and entertainment for every mood - from Mozart to Lizzo, silly comedies to historical fiction, true crime stories and the best clips from the late night talk shows.
Learn How to…
One thing that kids appreciate more than we might, is the ability to search and find help for whatever they need. Don’t know how to set up Parental Controls on your iPad, Xbox, or Chromebook? There’s a YouTube video out there for you! Your child having trouble in math class? Try Khan Academy. Looking for inspiration or want to try something new? Try Ted Talks or Masterclass Tutorials.
Yes, there is a lot of junk and misinformation online. There is also a great deal of quality entertainment, educational and motivational content as well. The more you use your screens to feed your interests, the more your kids will learn from your example. There’s a whole lot of exploring you can do online to get you thinking about what you want to do when you are offline. Use your screens to connect, learn and get inspired, just remember to logoff and put that inspiration to work.
One thing that kids appreciate more than we might, is the ability to search and find help for whatever they need. Don’t know how to set up parental controls on your iPad, Xbox, or Chromebook? There’s a YouTube video out there for you! Your child having trouble in math class? Try Khan Academy. Looking for inspiration or want to try something new? Try Ted talks or Masterclass tutorials.
Yes, there is a lot of junk and misinformation online. There is also a great deal of quality entertainment, educational and motivational content as well. The more you use your screens to feed your interests, the more your kids will learn from your example. There’s a whole lot of exploring you can do online to get you thinking about what you want to do when you are offline. Use your screens to connect, learn and get inspired, just remember to logoff and put that inspiration to work.