Many parents today are concerned about their children's online activities and what they're learning from their digital interactions. However, online experiences can offer valuable learning opportunities for children, such as improving conversation skills and decision-making abilities. To ensure children benefit the most and avoid potential harm, parents and caregivers should guide them.
Creating a family media plan is one strategy to promote healthy digital habits among kids and teens. Co-viewing, which involves watching or playing digital content together, can be both enjoyable and beneficial. It allows parents to gain insight into their child's online experiences within a context of trust and sharing. Co-viewing can facilitate important conversations, strengthen parent-child bonds, and help children navigate the digital world positively.
Co-viewing entails joining children in activities like movie nights, gaming sessions, viewing YouTube or TikTok videos, exploring apps or websites, and listening to music or podcasts. It's important to approach co-viewing with a balanced perspective on the benefits and risks of digital technology. While excessive screen time can have negative effects, it's essential to focus on how digital content can support learning, development, and play.
Benefits of co-viewing and co-playing include introducing new vocabulary, encouraging active participation, modeling positive behaviors, building academic skills, and fostering social connections. However, it's crucial to monitor children's online activities and address any concerns thoughtfully during co-viewing sessions.
Here are ten tips for successful co-viewing and co-playing:
Ask for permission to join your child's digital activities.
Show genuine interest in your child's preferences and follow their lead.
Practice attentive observation to understand your child's experience.
Embrace moments of physical closeness during co-viewing.
Use open-ended questions to encourage conversation.
Reserve judgments and address concerns calmly and later if necessary.
Look for opportunities to enrich the experience through related discussions.
Stay active and engage in physical activities related to the digital content.
Use co-viewing to initiate positive conversations, especially with older children.
Include co-viewing in your family media plan to promote responsible digital usage and create shared guidelines.
By incorporating co-viewing and co-playing into family media habits, parents can stay connected with their children's digital experiences and guide them toward healthy and responsible online behavior.