Archive Digital Communication Skills Every Child Should Learn
Digital Communication Skills Every Child Should Learn

Why Is Digital Communication Important for Children?

Sina

Sina

Table of contents:

    Digital communication has brought many advantages, and it has become so natural and common in the time we’re living in today. But unfortunately, digital communication is prone to be abused by some people. Social media, messaging apps, platforms, and emails have turned into hotbeds for scamming, cyberbullying, and many other cybercrimes. Understanding how to communicate safely in this situation is vital for children.

    Digital communication does not just include knowing how to send texts or post on social media but also understanding how to interact safely, ethically, and productively. So, follow us with this blog as we discuss these issues.

     

    What Is Digital Communication?

    Digital communication is not simply about sending and receiving messages but instead fostering a sense of connection and interaction in an increasingly digital world. This method of communication allows for the sharing and exchange of various forms of information, from simple text messages to complex data sets, enhancing efficiency and global connectivity.

     

    Types of Digital Communication

    Numerous forms of digital communication exist, each possessing distinct features and probable hazards:

    • Email: This is one of the earliest and most prevalent forms of digital communication. It’s utilized for various purposes, from personal interactions to professional exchanges.
    • Social Media: Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram exemplify social media’s role in reshaping our communication methods. They offer immediate dissemination of text, pictures, and video content.
    • Instant Messaging: Applications like WhatsApp and Messenger provide the facility for live text dialogues.
    • Video Calls: Platforms like Zoom and Skype enable face-to-face communication, even when participants are miles apart.

     

    Digital Communication Examples

    Digital communication is not just for adults. Children also use digital communication for their studies and entertainment. Examples of digital communication:

    • A student emailing their teacher to ask about an assignment.
    • A teenager using Snapchat to share a photo with their friends.
    • A child using a video game chat to coordinate with their team.

     

    Children communicating digitally using their tablets at school

     

    Digital Communication Skills for Children

    Children need to develop a range of skills to communicate effectively and safely online. These include:

    • Understanding Privacy: Children need to know what information is safe to share online and what should be kept private.
    • Critical Thinking: The ability to assess the reliability of online information is crucial.
    • Netiquette: Understanding the appropriate behavior in different online contexts and respecting others’ perspectives.

     

    Safe Messaging and Privacy

    Grasping the concept of secure messaging is a vital part of digital communication. It’s essential for a child to comprehend what kind of information should be disclosed and the ways to safeguard their privacy. For instance, you ought to educate your child about the risks of divulging personal data such as their residential address or contact number on the Internet.

     

    Critical Thinking and Media Literacy

    Given the vast amount of information that can be shared online, it has become essential for everyone to discern between what’s real and what’s fabricated. Therefore, instilling critical thinking skills in your child is more important than ever. They need to know how to evaluate online sources’ credibility and discern fact from opinion.

     

    Effective Digital Communication

    Effective digital communication involves more than just typing a message and hitting send. It requires understanding the context, audience, and purpose of the communication. It also necessitates adaptability—knowing how to adjust one’s communication style for different platforms and situations. That’s why we need to teach our children netiquette or online/internet etiquette.

     

    Teaching Strategies for Parents

    Parents play a vital role in teaching their children about digital communication. Here are a few strategies:

    • Lead by Example: Demonstrate good digital communication habits in your own online interactions.
    • Open Communication: Encourage your children to talk about their online experiences.
    • Hands-On Learning: Provide opportunities for your children to practice their digital communication skills in a safe environment.

     

    Use of Parental Control Apps

    Parental control apps like Safes can be valuable in monitoring your child’s digital communication. Safes can assist in overseeing your child’s digital activities, managing their exposure to screens, and restricting access to unsuitable websites and applications.

     


    You can download it from our website or Google Play and AppStore. Use the following resources to learn how to put parental controls on different devices and platforms with Safes:

    Check out our help center if you have any questions about Safes. Consider starting a 14-day free trial to experience Safes’ full features. It’s a risk-free way to explore parental controls without needing a credit card.

     

    Addressing Challenges and Concerns

    As we explained earlier, digital communication can pose various challenges and concerns for children. Some of the most important ones are cyberbullying to excessive screen time. So, you should be aware of these risks and take steps to help your child avoid them. In the following, we’ll explain more:

     

    Cyberbullying

    Cyberbullying is a significant concern that can severely impact a child’s psychological well-being. Enlighten your child about the indications of cyberbullying and motivate them to disclose any occurrences to you.

     

    Balancing Screen Time

    It’s necessary to balance screen time with other activities because too much screen time harms your child’s mental and physical health.

    For children between 2 to 5, it is advised to restrict their daily screen exposure to not more than one hour. Moreover, for those 6 years old and above, it is important to establish regular boundaries. (American Academy of Pediatrics).

     

    Suggested daily screen time for children in their digital communication

     

    To balance your child’s screen time, encourage them to spend time outdoors, participate in physical activity, and interact with others face-to-face. As Explained earlier, you can also use Safes to monitor and manage your child’s screen time. Here’s how:

     

    Final Words on Children’s Digital Communication

    Educating your little ones about the intricacies of digital communication is crucial in equipping them for today’s world. For example, you can use websites like Common Sense Media that offer guides, tips, and advice on a wealth of digital literacy topics.

    The subsequent phase in teaching your child about digital interaction may involve an uncomplicated discussion or the implementation of parental controls on their gadgets. Your participation is vital in aiding your child to cultivate the necessary skills for thriving in the digital realm. By remaining knowledgeable and engaged, you can make certain that your child’s experience with digital communication is secure and fruitful. Equip your little one with the necessary skills and knowledge for the online world.

    Sina

    Sina

    At auctor lacus fusce enim id tempor etiam amet. Et consequat amet eu nulla nunc est massa dui consequat. Facilisi adipiscing nec condimentum sit laoreet non turpis aenean in. Aliquam cursus elementum mollis sed accumsan nisl ullamcorper in.

    Want to know more about digital parenting?

    Our newsletter is your go-to source for staying updated with the latest information on parenting and online child safety. Subscribe to our once a week must have tips, to simplify parenting in the digital age. Read the editor’s top pick of the week to ensure a safe online experience for your child.

    More from Our Blog

    Digital Distractions
    Dive into the world of digital distraction. Explore its concept and how it affects children’s ability to study and develop social skills.
    Baharan

    Baharan

    Here, you’ll learn how to check deleted history on Chrome to protect your child’s online safety.
    Rana Mazahernasab

    Rana Mazahernasab

    Understanding and Dealing with Social Media Envy in Kids
    Social media envy is being jealous when comparing oneself to others on social media. With curated posts, it’s easy for kids to feel left out or inadequate.
    Sina

    Sina

    Teacher asking questions and students raising hands
    The Murray experiments were morally wrong, but teachers and school officials can learn a lot from its results. Read on to learn more. 
    Mohammad

    Mohammad

    Get Weekly Parenting Must-Knows in Your Inbox

    Deepen your parenting knowledge with our tips and tricks. Receive our editor’s top picks in your inbox once a week—no spam guaranteed.

    Download Safes Kids for Chrombook

    1. Install the Safes Kids app on your Chromebook from Google Play. 
    2. Pair Safes Kids with parent app. Follow the instructions in the app to pair your child’s device with your parent device.  
    3. Add the Safe Kids Chrome extension. Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store. 
    4. Navigate to the Manage extensions page. Click the three dots in the top right corner of Chrome and select “Extensions”>”Manage Extensions”>”Details”
    5. Turn on “Allow in incognito mode” This will allow the Safe Kids extension to work in incognito mode, which is important if your child uses incognito mode to try to bypass the parental controls.
    6. Select Safes extension and follow on-screen instruction

    Download Safes Kids for Android

    Download the Android Kid’s app directly to get the full features!

    Download Safes Kids App on Play Store

    Download Safes Kids App on Safes.so

    Safe Kids is available on the Google Play Store, but if you download it directly from our website, you will get access to Call and SMS monitoring feature, You can monitor the phone calls of your child’s device, as well as the contacts and messages they have sent and received, including those containing inappropriate content.