The results of a global survey by Kaspersky reveal that 61% of parents find it difficult to be role models for their children and sometimes do not follow the rules they set for their children. At the same time, more than half of parents (54%) try to create healthy digital habits and rules for all family members.
From an early age, children tend to copy the behavior and habits of adults in all areas of life, including attitudes toward digital devices. In addition, many children receive their first device at an early age – according to the same study, 68% of children receive devices before the age of nine. With this in mind, parents need to be role models when using technology if they want to lay the groundwork for healthy digital habits since childhood.
The results of the study also show that parents perceive norms of behavior as different for themselves and their children. For example, almost half (48%) of respondents admit that they spend three to five hours on devices every day, and the majority (62%) consider this time to be normal.
As for children, almost half (48%) spend the same time on devices as their parents – from three to five hours a day. However, more than half of adults (53%) would like their children to spend less time on devices – up to two hours.
In some scenarios, respondents believe that certain behaviors are acceptable to them, but not to their children. For example, 37% of adults think it is normal to share photos of family members on social media. On the contrary, less than a quarter (24%) of parents believe that this is acceptable for their children.
In addition, 22% of respondents consider it reasonable to miss calls and turn off their phone so that no one can contact them. However, only 10% of parents believe that such behavior is acceptable for children.
“Today, more and more parents are trying to create healthy digital habits along with those of nutrition and daily routine and more. But there is no clear trend or strong pattern of behavior regarding how to specifically establish these rules for digital practices, “said Bogdan Pismichenko, Kaspersky’s regional manager for Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, adding:” At the same time, the results of our Research shows that most adults (61%) admit that it is difficult for them to be role models and that they sometimes do not follow the rules they have set for their children. “
“To help parents establish healthy digital practices, there are various techniques and tools to support them. They can be included through role-playing games and games, and for a more technical approach there are solutions such as applications that can help control the time in front of the screen or to determine the physical location of the child, “said Bogdan Pismichenko.
“Digital consumption shapes the relationship between parents and children and, more importantly, influences the child’s development,” commented Birgit Holzel and Stefan Ruzas of the Munich-based Liebling + Schatz practice. “Studies show that babies develop eating and sleeping problems, for example, when parents use digital media in parallel while caring for them. This is a serious sign of an emerging attachment disorder. Children learn by imitation. That’s why you should always take into account what exactly the children see. Do their parents always hold their smartphone in their hands or even on the table when eating? Let’s not forget that parents always set an example for their children.
“However, we must note that the smartphone has existed in this form only since the last decade and has become vital in our daily lives,” said Holzel and Ruzas. “That’s why it’s often not so easy to use it consciously and especially to introduce children to it. Our dependence on telephones is the reason why it is even more important to explain this topic to all of us in the first place. In addition, there are proven rules of conduct for the use of digital media in families, which are very useful. The most important thing for all parents is to keep talking to their children about the use of the media. “
Source: Kaspersky
