2017 Reflections for
Technological Growth for Parents
William Jackson, M.Ed. #MyQuestToTeach
@wmjackson

As 2017 continues so does the continued infusion, integration, and invasion of technical tools, social platforms, interactive games, and devices. People are building machines, robots, and other mechanisms that actually do something and the think. Apps are being developed, it is becoming difficult to decide the benefits and needs to connect with, chat with, associate with and involve those that do not have a physical connection in day-to-day lives.

People connected by Social Networks may not have the same
value and moral structure as those who have made a physical
connection. Care still needs to be a priority because of the ease
of technical deceptions, distribution of misinformation and deceit.

Terrorist group’s modes for recruitment are online networks that
target youth, teens and young adults to radicalize thinking.
The growth in false news reports is another challenge, social
engagement is important to hash-out truth and lies. 2017 seeks
to be another transformative year of expansion of technological
surprise and wonder but education is the key to being engaged
and involved.

The global access to information
creates stresses that contribute
to psychological, physical and
even emotional changes in many
people. These suggestions are for parents globally that may be
struggling with handling the invasion of technology in the home,
in the community and in schools.

1. Parents monitor your child’s online
activities, explain behavior
expectations for actions while online.
a. Parents should be aware of where
their children are going
online and who they are engaging with.
b. Children’s psychological safety is just as important as their
physical safety, so if threatened online children, youth, and
teens should notify parents and guardians.
c. Have conversations about favorite sites, online friends,
what social media platforms are being using.
d. Are children using video to share information, are they
using Google maps to tell their friends where they live?
These are questions internationally parents need the answers
too from their children.
2. Parents, “Know safety, No injury. No safety, Know injury.”
a. Parents should be involved in determining how much tech
is being used by their children in their homes and in the
community.
b. Parents need to work with schools to help set expectations
and maybe limits in using technology. Social interaction is
still important.
3. Parents help build positive relationships for online activities.
This respect decreases bullying, cyberbullying, cyberstalking
and sexting.
4. Parents must model good online behaviors.
a. If your child sees you acting certain ways, they will do the same.
b. Your children are influenced by peer pressure and your role
modeling as a parent.
c. The Internet can be a fun place, but there are dangers.
5. Parents set a time limit for your child being online.
a. More emphasis on reading and other activities that challenge
thinking and encourage social engagement.
b. Reasoning and higher order thinking skills are important skills
to learn by reading and engagement.
c. Internationally youth have great potential to influence the future
of their nation and the world.
6. Parents’ don’t be naïve about the power of Social Media platforms.
a. Sometimes you have to Google and Hashtag to get information.
7. Parents teach your children to know how advertisers work.
a. Not to click ads that say free games, candy, toys, etc.
b. Do not give out addresses and personal information.
8. Parents ask your children to teach you something new online.
a. Parents test your child’s intelligence and intellect about technology
by doing online journeys around the world.
9. Parents look up your children on Google,
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other sites.
a. Use their First Name Last Name + City, State, Nation

10. Parents teach your
children not to put personal
information online.
a. Identity theft is a major problem
in this digital age and terrorists
are working hard to involve youth,
teens and young adults to
be used as weapons and propaganda tools.
11. Parents check parental controls in your browser and learn how to
check your browser history to see where the kids and teens have
gone online.
12. Parents, if your children play online games monitor the language
and conversations.
13. Each Social Media site has an age restriction. Parents talk to
your children about Facebook, SnapChat, and others, whatever
your children are involved in.
14. Parents, be friends with your kids until they are 16 at least.
a. Don’t stalk them, but monitor behaviors and actions online.
15. Parents the online experience should help to build social skills
and build cultural awareness.
a. Education is influenced, must be guided by parents and
educators working together.
16. “Treat others as you would like to be treated.”
a. The Internet is a global platform, a broad community that
represents the world. There is good and bad.
17. Parents learn new terms so you can understand your child’s
conversations.
a. slang and street language have their places
b. understand “code switching.”
18. Parents plan to attend workshops, seminars, and conferences.
a. Build your knowledge, networking, and entrepreneurial skills
19. Parents build your home around learning and growth resources.
20. Implement, integrate, initiate technology to your comfort level.
a. develop a plan of how and where you will use tech at home
for the betterment and empowerment of children.