Parenting in the Digital Age

Parenting in the Digital Age: Navigating the Digital Landscape to Keep Your Teen Safe

In today’s digital age, parenting has evolved to encompass not only the physical well-being of our children but also their digital safety. With the proliferation of smartphones, social media, and online platforms, teens are more connected than ever before, but this connectivity also brings new challenges and concerns for parents. Let’s discuss guidance on how to navigate the digital landscape and keep your teen safe in the digital world.

Understanding the Digital Landscape

To effectively keep your teen safe in the digital age, it’s crucial to understand the digital landscape they inhabit. This includes recognizing the platforms they use, the potential risks they may encounter, and the importance of digital literacy.

• Familiarize Yourself with Popular Platforms: Stay informed about the social media platforms, apps, and websites your teen uses. Understanding how these platforms work can help you engage in meaningful conversations with your child about their online experiences. For example, did you know SnapChat allows people to see your location 24/7 on a very detailed map? Some of the games your children play allow strangers to interact with them and pollute their minds. 

• Teach Digital Literacy: Empower your teen with digital literacy skills. Discuss topics such as online etiquette, privacy settings, recognizing cyberbullying, and verifying information. Encourage them to think critically about the content they encounter online.

Communication is Key

Open and honest communication is the foundation of keeping your teen safe in the digital age. Create a safe space for your child to discuss their online experiences and concerns without fear of judgment or punishment.

• Regular Check-Ins: Initiate regular conversations about their online activities. Ask about their friends, interests, and any issues they may have encountered online.

• Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules and boundaries regarding screen time, appropriate content, and online behavior. Two of my favorites are; 1. No phones for anyone at the dinner table and 2. Phones and iPads are “turned in” to a centrally located charging station nightly. 

• Lead by Example: Be a positive role model when it comes to your own digital behavior. Show your teen how to use technology responsibly and respectfully.

• Digital Footprint: The choices your teen makes today will be searchable forever. It is critical to teach your child the responsibility they hold with each post. Once something is posted it will forever be searchable and seen. Grandparents, college peers and their future boss will all be able to see what is shared. 

Online Safety Measures

In addition to open communication, implement practical safety measures to protect your teen online.

• Privacy Settings: Teach your teen how to configure privacy settings on social media accounts and other online platforms. Encourage them to limit the personal information they share online.

• Parental Control Software: Consider using parental control software to monitor and manage your teen’s online activities. These tools can help you block inappropriate content and track their online behavior.

• Cyberbullying Awareness: Discuss the importance of recognizing and reporting cyberbullying. Encourage your teen to report any instances of harassment or intimidation they encounter online.

• Online Friends and Contacts: Set a firm boundary with your child about interacting with strangers online. Teach your teen people online are able to use a façade to trick them into thinking they are somebody they are not. Emphasize the importance of not sharing personal information with unknown individuals.

Empower Critical Thinking

Help your teen develop critical thinking skills to navigate the digital landscape effectively.

• Fact-Checking: Teach your child how to verify the accuracy of information they come across online. Encourage them to question the credibility of sources and to not take anything at face value. 

• Media Literacy: Discuss the impact of media and advertising on perception and self-esteem. Check in with your child about what they are consuming online and how it is impacting their mental health. Help them find a way to eliminate negative influences. 

• Honesty: It is important to have a blunt and open conversation with your teen about the dangers and effects of pornography. These are difficult conversations but life changing. Exposure to explicit content at a young age can have significant effects on their attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions of relationships and sexuality. Research has shown that early exposure to pornography may lead to unrealistic expectations about sex, body image issues, and potentially contribute to negative outcomes such as risky sexual behavior or addiction to explicit material. 

Parenting in the digital age presents unique challenges, but with proactive communication, education, and the implementation of safety measures, you can keep your teen safe online. The key is to strike a balance between fostering independence and ensuring their well-being in the digital world. By actively participating in your teen’s online life and providing guidance, you can help them navigate the digital landscape responsibly and safely. 

Managing Fevers in Children

As parents, few things can trigger our anxiety quite like our children running a fever. The sight of a flushed face, the warmth of a tiny forehead, and the worry that something might be seriously wrong can send our hearts racing. However, it’s important to remember that a fever is not always the enemy. In fact, it’s often a natural response that indicates your child’s immune system is doing its job.

What is a Fever?

In children, a fever is defined as a body temperature above 100.4°F (38°C). A fever is not an illness in itself but rather a symptom of an underlying infection or illness.

If I Don’t Have a Thermometer, How Can I Tell if my Child Has a Fever?

Don’t panic when you can’t find your thermometer or it is not working but you think something is off with your child.  Is your child having an increase in heart rate, breathing faster, warm to the touch or have chills?  If so, it is likely they have a fever.  At this time it is okay to give fever reducing medication.  If your child perks up and seems to get better, they probably had a fever.

How High is Too High?

The number one question we receive is “how high is too high for a fever?” The answer is simple.  If your child has had an appropriate dose of fever-reducing medication and their temperature remains 106 or higher they should be taken to the Emergency Room.

For children under 1 year of age, taking a rectal temperature is the GOLD STANDARD way to take a temperature. If your child is 2 months or younger, and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 or greater, it is considered a medical emergency and they should be seen immediately in the ER.

How to Reduce a Fever

Fever-reducing medications Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Motrin (Ibuprofen) are both great medication options for a child with a fever.  As a reminder, Motrin CANNOT be given under 6 months of age.  Genexa is an option for those looking for a “cleaner” medication. 

Additional ways to help your child cool down include:

• Remove layers of clothing and blankets
• Offer cold drinks
• Give your child a lukewarm bath
• Place cool packs behind the neck, knees, armpits and groin.

Most importantly, if your child has a fever and is doing well, medication may not be needed. 

Fevers in children can be distressing, but they are often a sign that your child’s immune system is doing its job. By understanding what a fever is, when to be concerned, and how to manage it safely, you can provide the best care for your child. If you are concerned  about your child’s fever, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can book a telemedicine visit and answer any questions you may have. 

Tips for Managing Postpartum Depression

The journey into motherhood is often portrayed as a blissful experience, filled with joy, love, and the promise of a bright future. However, for many new mothers, the reality can be quite different. Beneath the surface of those picture-perfect moments lies a deeply personal struggle that is rarely talked about openly: postpartum depression.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression generally presents as early as one week after childbirth.  Symptoms of postpartum depression include sadness, worry, hopelessness, restlessness, loss of interest in activities, difficulty concentrating and overall loss of energy.  It can also present as being uninterested in your baby or feeling like you’re not bonding with them.  PPD differs from “baby blues” in that the feelings are more intense and last longer than two weeks after childbirth. 

Here are some tips for dealing with postpartum depression.

Tip 1:  Give Yourself Grace

Becoming a new parent can be an incredibly challenging experience.  Unlike most medical procedures, there’s no time for recovery; immediately after giving birth, you’re entrusted with the care of not just yourself but also a precious new life. It’s a huge responsibility! Navigating all the “right” ways to care for your baby can be daunting and we all inevitably make mistakes along the way.  Give yourself and your partner the grace to make those mistakes and keep at it.

Tip 2: Know You Are Not Alone

1 in 8 women experience some form of PPD after childbirth.  That’s a staggering statistic.  Having postpartum depression does not make you a bad mom!  Chances are someone else in your circle has experienced something similar. Things completely out of your control can cause PPD including genetic predisposition and hormone changes. 

Tip 3:  Ask For Help

It is essential to remove the stigma around postpartum depression; everyone should feel comfortable asking for help.  There are a variety of treatment options for PPD ranging from lifestyle changes to medication.  You do not have to feel this way!  We are here to help, reaching out is the first step to feeling better.

Many moms struggle with postpartum depression after childbirth .  We are here to help those who are struggling.  If you or someone you know is experiencing PPD, please call or book an appointment online.  It’s time to break the silence, foster understanding, and provide support to those who need it most. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!