6 Awesome GKIS Habits for Preschoolers

2 of a 3-Part Series Sensible GetKidsInternetSafe Screen Media Guidelines for Children Ages 3 to 6 Years

Now that last week’s article helped you set the stage for smart GetKidsInternetSafe parenting, the following tips will help you create safe use habits. It’s all about filtering, monitoring, participating, and healthy balance.

6 AWESOME GKIS HABITS:

Children should not be allowed to view unfiltered content unmonitored.

Exposure to violent or sexualized images is harmful to children in ways that parents can’t imagine. It is our responsibility as parents to protect them just as we do with other environmental hazards. There is no replacement for supervision, although a child browser may be helpful.
Co-viewing and co-media engagement are excellent learning opportunities.

Technology can provide an adaptive scaffold for your children’s learning and initiative. And, as an awesome parent, you can provide an adaptive scaffold for learning technology.
Observe your children’s use of the media for a probationary period before your mind is made up.

Don’t forget to let your kids know “you’re just trying it out.” And don’t be afraid to make adaptations or discontinue use if you see something you don’t like (e.g., frustration, fatigue, or over-stimulation). Even if they have you convinced that disappointment is permanently disabling, it isn’t. Learning to cope with an unexpected change of plans is a critical life lesson. Remember, your GKIS plan is a living agreement. That means it changes as your family’s needs change.
An enriching, sensible balance between active play, interactive engagement with others, and time-limited, age-appropriate technology use is essential for healthy development.

Say no to violent content, background television, and mature themes.
Media material that includes slower-paced narratives with less intensity and novelty is better for the young brain.

Opt for interactive and problem-solving games when possible.

Don’t cave when your kids say “but everybody else is doing it.”

Good parenting needs to start within your home and once you cave to pester power it’s a slippery slope. Kids learn quickly what will make you cave and will escalate to impressive heights when challenged. Don’t let them control the parenting playbook.

Children 3 to 6 years old still have immature judgment and are incapable of complex reasoning. Therefore it’s still too soon for them to own a smart phone or open their own social media accounts.
No more than 2 hours/day of screen media on weekdays.

How does it feel to be on the road to mastery rather than burying your head and crossing your fingers? Believe me, you are giving your kids a warm and brilliant start in a landscape fraught with peril! Thanks for being incredible.

I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetYourKidsInternetSafe.

Onward to More Awesome Parenting,

Tracy S. Bennett, Ph.D.
Mom, Clinical Psychologist, CSUCI Adjunct Faculty
GetKidsInternetSafe.com