Teens seem to come into our lives all of a sudden, don’t they? What happened to the chubby-cheeked toddler we were so recently bouncing in our lap? At one time or another as the teen years approach, every parent wonders, how did they grow up so quickly?
Yes, every parent seems to feel that the issues of teen life come about with little or no warning—but deal with them we must, prepared or not.
One of the issues of parenthood today is in dealing with the many responsibilities demanded of us due to the rapid changes in technology. The Internet and the rapid proliferation of smartphones into every corner of our lives have upped the ante for modern parental responsibility.
In just the last few years we’ve seen the incredible rise of social networking, with websites like Myspace and Facebook becoming major players in adult and teen social lives. These networking sites are changing the way our children deal with other people, the way they think and the way they use their time. What does that mean for us as parents?
Image via Wikipedia
Parents must become involved in their children’s use of the Internet, whether with social media or direct.tv movies and shows. While parents in earlier generations had to be concerned about overuse of the telephone or watching too much television, the Internet has ramped up communications to an unprecedented level.There is an element of secrecy in the use of the Internet (email messages are sent out privately), but the impact of an email or Facebook message when it goes out to the greater public can be enormous. A thoughtless email message can manifest itself publicly, with sometimes-serious results.
Get involved in your children’s activities and monitor their Internet use. Here at Parenting Tid Bit, we’re here for you. Check in to get tips on how to be there for your child, so we all stay safe and responsible.
