The Internet and the new information and communication technologies are recent developments that have, however, completely transformed society. Today most young people see a world almost inconceivable without WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Youtube. But although today’s children are born into a world where these applications, social networks and technologies are omnipresent , they are not born knowing how to use them, and although they are very powerful and very useful tools that make our lives and communication easier, they also have their risks.

It is therefore necessary to teach children how to use them. How to educate children in the use of the Internet to make good use of this resource? In this article we propose to offer some guidelines and advice on this subject.

Digital natives

Many of us remember a time in our lives when the Internet was a completely unknown concept to most people. Even for those of us born in the 1990s, when the subject was already a little more developed, it was something new and strange that we had to adapt to at the time. Other people saw it being born later in life, having greater complications in understanding how it works.

Since then the network of networks has evolved in an incredible way , increasing its potential and allowing the emergence of multiple technologies and basic applications in our day to day. Today’s children are already digital natives (concept proposed by Prensky in 2001), being born in an environment where new technologies are already fully integrated. This fact means that there are differences with respect to past generations, even at the neurological level.

They have greater multitasking capacity, greater flexibility and greater decision-making ability, but at the same time less memory capacity, less perseverance and less ability to defer rewards and results.

Educating Children in Internet Use

Networks are a powerful tool that facilitate multiple tasks and remote communication, but they also have a dark side. The fraudulent use of networks, online scams, cybercriminals , grooming and cyberbullying are examples of this. Learning to use new technologies is fundamental in order to make good use of them. And that is why we indicate below a series of tips to help educate in their use.

1. Get informed

When educating children and adolescents in the use of new technologies we have to take into account a very relevant factor: while many of us have seen the birth of the Internet as something that has happened throughout our lives, the new generations have been born with it as an element present all over the world . For them it is something that is natural and intuitive.

2. Upgrade

Technology is advancing very rapidly, and it would be advisable for us to be informed of the characteristics of the new developments and the different networks in order to be able to educate with knowledge of the cause. It is fundamentally a question of being up-to-date and knowing the type of digital environments in which they live and the connections they have at present . For example, it is not the same to habitually use places where the very young are in the majority, such as Instagram or Curiouscat.me, as it is to use internet forums on philosophy or technology.

3. Talk to them about their risks

Networks are something that is taken for granted and there is generally a strong perception of safety around them. It is necessary to explain to children that while they have many advantages, they also have their risks, and to explain them clearly. It is not a question of scaring without foundation , but of making it clear that there are important risks.

4. Do not forbid the use of the network

As we have mentioned before, the use of information and communication technologies or ICTs is an element present in our lives, and in the case of today’s children from birth. Some people may think that banning its use may be a way to avoid possible misuse and problems. However, this is a tool that is practically omnipresent in our daily lives and it is advisable to learn how to use it promptly. Banning would only make the child unaware of how they work and if they were to use them they could be in much greater danger due to ignorance. We must supervise, not prohibit.

5. Generates limits and rules of use

Not prohibiting does not imply against an uncontrolled use of the networks by the minor. It is necessary to establish rules and schedules for use, especially when children are young, in order to learn to balance the use of the networks with other activities, both duties and obligations and forms of leisure.

6. Sailing Together

The best way to teach is by example. Surfing the web with children and showing them different technologies, applications, games and information can be a way to make them see the wonders of technology while educating them on how to use it. It also means sharing a moment with children that can be a source of learning, fun and bonding.

7. The role of privacy

Although partly associated with the point of risk, this element stands out as being fundamental and one of the ones that can have the most consequences. Making them understand what privacy is and the importance of each of the data they publish, what should or should not be published and the associated risks and how to protect this privacy is one of the fundamental aspects for the education and protection of minors with regard to virtual environments.

8. Parental control

The creation of safe virtual environments is appropriate for young children, so that content that could be offensive or traumatic to minors is blocked.

9. Get interested

Another aspect of great relevance is the fact that the adult, family member or caregiver in charge of the minor is interested in his or her activity in the network. Not in an invasive or demanding way, but communicative and in the form of support. Many problems on the Internet are not communicated to parents out of fear or shame, when our help could contribute to solve the problems that may arise . The type of relationship that we establish with the relationship between the child and the networks can greatly influence the level of trust and the communication of problems in this area.

10. Respect their privacy

As they grow up, children will demand more and more intimacy and privacy. Checking the text messages they receive or their Facebook is not pleasant for almost any teenager and can create the perception of distrust towards him or her.