Children’s Digital Education
In the 21st century, when children are born with an electronic device under their arms, it is necessary that they learn to use and relate to information and communication technologies in an adequate way. For this, it is important to offer quality digital education both at school and at home.
But how to educate children to use new technologies? In the following lines, we will give some useful recommendations to put into practice in the home environment. Make a note of each one!
What is digital competence?
Digital competence is considered one of the key competences and is defined as:
“One that implies the creative, critical and safe use of information and communication technologies to achieve the goals related to work, employability, learning, the use of free time, inclusion and participation in society”.
Thus, throughout their schooling, children must learn to:
- Identify rights, freedoms and risks related to the digital world.
- Know and master the basic specific language: textual, numerical, iconic, visual, graphic and sound.
- Know the main computer applications.
- Access different sources of information.
- Use different technological resources for communication and problem solving.
- Use and process information critically and systematically.
- Search, obtain and process information.
- Create digital content.
- Develop an active, critical and realistic attitude towards technologies.
- Develop curiosity and motivation for learning and improving the use of technologies.
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of technological means.
- Respect the ethical principles of the use of digital media.
But this is not something that should only be taught in schools, as the little ones should also receive guidance on digital education at home.
Children’s digital education
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), some of the recommendations that families should follow to educate and prepare children for their growth and development in a fully digitized world are as follows:
- Establish basic norms and rules of behavior and communication in the virtual environment, in the same way that has been done throughout life in physical environments.
- Establish limits and restrictions on the use of electronic devices on a daily basis, especially during preschool age.
- Teaching by example, being a good model of behavior when interacting with new technologies.
- Take care of the content children are exposed to.
- Carefully select games, applications and programs that children have access to.
- Do not use new technologies as a resource to keep children calm and quiet.
- Create technology-free spaces at home, where socialization among family members is promoted. For example, avoid screens during meals, inside bedrooms, etc.
- Do family leisure activities without the need to resort to technological means.
- Promote free play time away from the screens.
- Get involved and participate, in some way, in the digital activities that children often do. For example, playing a video game with them, helping them to search for information on the internet, etc.
- Do not deprive teenagers of communicating with their peers through the use of technology, although it is necessary to ensure that this is done responsibly.
The importance of digital education during childhood
All of these measures are necessary for children to develop fully and be able to adapt effectively to technological advances.
Without a doubt, we must remember that children are children and that, although they seem to master new technologies to perfection from an early age, they still need the guidance and guidance of a reference adult so that they do not misuse them.
