By Bimali Pandithakoralage, Counselling Psychologist and Attorney-at-law

Parents are aware of the increased screen time children are engaging with due to Covid19. Children are accessing more platforms, devices and technologies via the internet for school work and social interaction.

Setting screen time limits during times of heightened stress is important to help children find balance and maintain a healthy routine that includes regular meals, sleep and exercise.

However not all screen time is equal. What children do on screens and how they do it is more important than time spent. If children are engaged in high quality screen time that helps them connect emotionally with loved ones, fuels their imagination and creativity then quantity can be on the back burner during these stressful times.

But it is important to have an ongoing and open discussion about the responsible use of technology. Being digitally competent is not enough. It is crucial to develop informed Digital Citizens who can make responsible online choices.  We want children to be good citizens of this world and we intentionally teach this to them. As global citizens we educate them to take an active role in their community, treat everyone alike, work with others to make our world sustainable, fair and equal. Similarly it is crucial to teach children how to become good citizens of the digital world.

Educate children about the benefits and risks which users of technology may encounter, how they should act and respond whilst online and the harmful effects of unsuitable social media and online gaming platforms.

Media balance and well-being-

Educate them to reflect about mental health risks of being ever-connected and how an unhealthy media diet contributes unproductively to lives and relationships.

Privacy and security-

Teach them the potential risks of sharing private information and how to do it safely.

Digital foot print and identity-

Instruct them how sharing information online can affect them, their sense of self, reputation, relationships and others.

Relationships and communication-

Train them how to communicate effectively and positively to build relationships and online communities.

Cyber bullying, digital drama and hate speech-

Show them how to be an upstander and treat others respectfully to create a culture of kindness.

News and media literacy-

Explain how they can evaluate and use information accurately to identify reliable sources and give proper credit.