Raising Children in a Digital Age

Bex Lewis

Description

As featured on The Steve Wright Show on Radio 2. Equipping children to thrive and survive in the digital jungle Digital technology, social media, and online gaming are now a universal part of childhood. But are you worried about what your children might be doing online? What they might come across by accident? Or who might try to contact them through Facebook or Twitter? Whether you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, or youth leader, you will want children to get the most out of new technology. But how do you tread the tightrope of keeping them safe online, whilst enabling them to seize and benefit from the wealth of opportunities on offer? Bex Lewis, an expert in social media and digital innovation, has written a much-needed and timely book full of sound research, practical tips, and realistic advice on how to keep children safe online. She puts the Internet scare stories and distorted statistics into context and offers clear and sensible guidelines to help children thrive in the digital jungle. Media coverage includes: BBC Radio 2: The Steve Wright Show, BBC Radio Tees, BBC Radio Newcastle, ITV Tyne Tees television , Real Radio, Sun FM, The Durham Times, The Northern Echo, The Sunderland Echo, Premier Radio.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Lion Hudson
• Date de parution: 21 février 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780745957555
• Langue: English

Extrait

“I am delighted to see this book pulling together the many strands of work which are designed to help parents, carers, children, and young people navigate the online world. Bex is clearly passionate about helping people engage with the digital world in a positive way, and this comes through in the simple discussion pointers in each chapter. Too often a lack of understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by technological change becomes an excuse for no engagement; Bex points out that this is wrong and that opportunities to engage in really good communication come from getting to grips with this new environment. She sets out some great ways to achieve this.”
Reg Bailey CBE, Chief Executive of Mothers’ BR
 
 
“A refreshingly direct and thoughtful guide for parents who want to understand their kids’ digital world but don’t want to be patronised. Up to date and evidence- based, this book walks a finely-judged line between inviting parents to get involved and trusting kids to be sensible as well as suggesting constructive ways for parents to talk to and also learn from their children.”
Professor Sonia Livingstone OBE, London School of Economics, author of Children and the Internet

For my parents, who have sought to support me through the choices I have made in life.
 
 
Text copyright © 2014 Bex Lewis This edition copyright © 2014 Lion Hudson
The right of Bex Lewis to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published by Lion Books an imprint of Lion Hudson plc Wilkinson House, Jordan Hill Road, Oxford OX2 8DR, England www.lionhudson.com/lion
ISBN 978 0 7459 5604 6 e-ISBN 978 0 7459 5755 5
First edition 2014
Acknowledgments p. 11 Picture of Bex Lewis © Keith Blundy
pp. 14, 39–40, 123, 188, 206, 216: Extracts from The Byron Review by Professor Tanya Byron © Professor Tanya Byron, 2008. Reproduced with permission.
pp. 40, 60, 123, 126: Extracts from CHILDWISE “Digital Lives” Report © CHILDWISE, 2010. Reproduced with permission.
pp. 36, 109, 142, 166, 170, 197: Extracts from Janna Anderson and Lee Rainie, “Imagining the Internet: Millennials will benefit and suffer due to their hyperconnected lives”. Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C. (February 29, 2012). http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Hyperconnected-lives.aspx, accessed on February 29, 2012.
pp. 42, 167, 214: Extracts from Me and My Web Shadow by Antony Mayfield © Antony Mayfield, 2010, A&C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Reproduced with permission.
p. 102: Extract from “Randi Zuckerberg: How I Unplug For My Family” by Randi Zuckerberg © Randi Zuckerberg, 2013. Reproduced with permission.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Cover image: Lion Hudson
Contents
A Chance to Say Thank You…
Meet @drbexl
Introduction: What Am I Going to Gain from this Book?
Should we truly be fearful?
Who is responsible?
Questionnaire
Navigating this book
Chapter 1: Challenging Fears: Brief Lessons from History
The development of a “risk” society
Changing families
Common fears
Looking hopeful?
Chapter 2: Digital Culture: Why it Matters that We Join In
The need for “digital literacy”
Technology: “The bad guy”?
Focus on the positive
Improving social skills
The benefits of digital technology for those with special needs
Online/Offline
Chapter 3: Technology: The ToolBox
What’s hot right now?
Audio services
Blogging
Bookmarking
Facebook
File-hosting service
Foursquare
Google Search
Google+
Instagram
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Snapchat
Skype
Twitter
YouTube
Don’t forget the “old” technologies
Chapter 4: Children in Digital Culture
The myth of “the digital native”
Children online
Making positive choices
What changes in the teenage years?
Buy me! Buy me!
“Digital divide”
Where do children turn to for advice?
Chapter 5: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
The question of an Internet Safety Agreement
Chapter 6: Practical Advice for Parents in a Digital Age
Appropriate at what age?
Legal limits?
Privacy and permanency
Monitoring
Filtering
Location services
Managing your digital fingerprint 96
Chapter 7: Identity: Values and Authenticity
Role models
Anonymity
Chapter 8: Relationships (Online)
Friendships
Cyberbullying
Bystanders
“Stranger danger” lurks…
Chapter 9: Increasingly Mobile
An intruder?
An e-babysitter?
Managing phone use and costs
At what age should I buy my child a mobile?
Texting and short forms
Chapter 10: Sex Talk (Porn, Paedophilia, and Sexting)
Porn
Grooming and child abuse
Sexting
Chapter 11: Keeping within the Law
Plagiarism and copyright
Music, film and apps
Viruses
Chapter 12: Health Works
Physical set-up
Dodgy health information
Brain change?
Addiction
Attention spans and multitasking
Conversational ability
Couch potatoes?
Chapter 13: Screen Time and Family Dynamics
Recommended screen time
Bedroom culture
Digital time out
Reading online
Chapter 14: Gaming
Finding age-appropriate games
The positives of gaming
Violent, addictive, and expensive?
Chapter 15: Does Digital Offer Life Opportunities?
Criticality and avoiding the scams
Working together: collaboration
Clicktivism, activism, and social justice
Chapter 16: Some Thoughts for Others Working with Children
Grandparents
Some further resources
Teachers
Some further resources
Youth workers/leaders
Some further resources
Chapter 17: Looking to the Future
Predictions are made
The future is here
Core parenting skills retain value
Chapter 18: Never Forget
JargonBuster
Find other terms
Websites You Might Want to Connect with
Want to Read a Little More?
Some specific web resources
Notes
A Chance to Say Thank You…
… to Ali Hull for first commissioning this book and for encouragement and correction in the editing process, and to Pete Phillips, Andy Byers, Rich Wyld, Penny Bissell, Tim Hutchings, and Kate Bruce (my CODEC team at Durham University) for providing me with links and enthusiastic encouragement.
I’ve enjoyed the support from my Facebook and Twitter communities, through feedback, suggested links, and distributing the questionnaire. Heartfelt thanks to the anonymous people who replied to it. I’ve relished feedback from speaking engagements and blog posts that has helped develop the focus and advice within this book, and ongoing encouragement from former colleagues at the University of Winchester, particularly Martin Polley and Joyce Goodman, who developed my capacity for sustained writing with my PhD; Tansy Jessop, who has encouraged the continued development of my writing skills since; and Yaz El-Hakim who afforded many e-learning opportunities.
I’ve particularly appreciated the opportunities for early chats with Marcus Leaning (Head of Media & Film, University of Winchester), Penny Fuller (Children & Youth Development Officer, Methodist Church), and Maggie Barfield (Children’s Publishing List, Scripture Union), and ongoing thought processes with fellow Social Media Consultant Bryony Taylor. I’ve valued many offline conversations with those in the Cranmer Hall/Wesley Study Centre community – including big hugs from Merry Evans – where many are wrestling with these issues day by day with their own children, in the midst of busy lives.
I also want to thank Leanne and Darren Bell (we first connected on Twitter), who gave me not only a great day out at Alnwick Castle and lots of chats about children and social media, but also the opportunity to observe three children of differing ages engaging with digital media in really positive ways. Siân and Chris Lawton, Jennifer and Andrew Riddlestone, Justine and Matt McNinch, Pen Andrews, Geoff and Helen Hobbs, Jon and Kate Whale and Nicky Robinson have also given me plenty of opportunity to get involved in how they manage their children at work and play both online and offline. Thanks also to Louise Upchurch for the teacher’s perspective, and to Paul Windo (Urban Saints) for the youth leader’s.
As always, I am grateful to friends and family for support, encouragement, time with nieces and nephews, and time out – especially my parents, who have unfailingly supported, challenged, and encouraged me through good times and bad; my cousin Hannah, who provides great conversation and feedback along with a sofa bed for trips to London; and the Hitchens/Beresfords, who have been my honorary Winchester family for several years (and whose old dishwasher has made the writing process much easier!).
I also want to make a special mention of Tracey Hume, who drove me around to find my new home, and my new neighbours in Durham, Pat and Fred, with their friends John and Ang, who have sought to motivate me by helping me manage my garden, alongside various “Have you finished that book yet?” pokes. These have also been particularly appreciated from Sara Batts (hard-stare specials), Sheridan Voysey, Vicky Walker, Maggi Dawn, Emma Giles, Mary Jackson, Christina Macleod, Karen Neal, Emma Lowe, Melanie Cunningham, Pam Smith, and Paul and Pam Webster – along with ice-pops from Beth Weedon and years of encouragement from Andrew Graystone!
Last, and not least, I ask forgiveness of all those who have chatted with me over the years and whose names I have failed to mention.
I’d love to talk to more of you online, so join me on Twitter (@digitalfprint // @drbexl) with tag #digitalparenting.
Meet @drbexl
It’s late 1992. I’ve settled down to watch my new (old) television. It’s the first television our family possesses (previously forbidden for