“If you have a choice between connecting with someone on a device or doing it in person, always choose a person before screens,” encourages Diana Graber, Author of Raising Humans In A Digital World and developer of the Cyber Civics curriculum. In today’s episode of The Momologist™, Diana breaks down important concepts related to screentime, cyberbullying, media literacy, and more as they pertain to raising children in our increasingly digital world. 

Digital technology has unquestionably changed the way we raise our children. Diana developed the Cyber Civics curriculum that is now used in middle schools throughout 48 states and internationally to help prepare children to be conscientious digital citizens. She discusses the impact of screens on early child development and how to use technology more intentionally. She also covers several topics important for parents, including online safety, “oversharenting,” cyberbullying, and critical thinking. 

Tune into this week’s episode on The Momologist™ for a conversation about raising children in a digital world. Join us as Diana helps teach moms and children to navigate the often complicated world of technology. 

 

Quotes

• “Stop thinking so much about time and start thinking about content. Ask yourselves, what are our kids doing online? Time is really an ineffective measure right now because we don’t know if they need it to do schoolwork and all that. It’s more important to look at what they’re doing online.” (01:08-01:24)

• “I have yet to meet a teacher that doesn’t agree that kids have changed dramatically in the last 10 years. Their ability to stay on task and to stay focused today as it was pre-devices is just really different. They have to move faster and they have to be more on top of it…it didn’t use to be like that…Anecdotally, what teachers are seeing is a shift in kids’ ability to pay attention.” (17:11-17:46)

• “If your child is going to watch something, do it together. Be mindful of what they’re looking at and as much as possible limit it when they’re young. Don’t be so hard on yourself if you’re not able to stay to that strict one hour per day. Every expert out there will tell you we are in extraordinary times and we are all doing the best that we can.” (31:31-31:55)

• “They don’t need help learning how to use the tools. They need help developing the hardware upstairs that they use the tools well and smart and ethically.” (39:09-39:19)

• “If you have a choice between connecting with someone on a device or doing it in person, always choose a person before screens.” (41:27-41:34)

• “Moms, be easy on yourselves. This is a tough time and you’re doing the best you can. If you’ve got little ones just get through the day and be mindful of having those face to face interactions. And if you have older children, I really hope you advocate for digital literacy education in your classrooms. I can’t say enough, digital literacy is today’s literacy. It is so complex and there’s so many parts to it. Parents are super busy and don’t fully understand this world themselves. If kids are getting this education together in school it is powerful and it empowers them to look out for one another and as a community to lead the education and to be a fully digital literate participant in today's internet life. And they’re good citizens online and off, which is super important.” (1:18:38-1:19:30) 

 

Stats

• “Only 15% of parents are in the know about their kids’ social networking habits and how those behaviors can lead to cyberbullying. 31% of children ages 12-18 have lied about their age in order to access a website. Only one third of households with internet access are protecting their children with filtering or blocking software.” (02:15-02:40)

• “A study from 2010 assessed the viewing habits of 1,323 children in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades over 13 months, and it found that the children who spent more than 2 hours a day in front of a screen either playing video games or watching TV were 1