talk to your kids
talk to your kids

their world of technology

Children today have an astonishing number of ways to communicate and form social relationships; many of these rely on technology like the Internet, email or mobile phones. Yet, while a lot of this technology might seem overwhelming, familiarising yourself with a few common terms, and programs, can go a long way to helping you communicate more openly with your child. Here are a few to get you started…

Messenger (or MSN)

This is a Microsoft-owned program that’s free to download from the Internet. Once downloaded, it enables your child to build up a list of ‘friends’ (similar to an address book), who they can ‘chat’ with online on an internet-based ‘window’.

A few tips:

  • Harmful predators sometimes use Messenger to stalk young children. Encourage your child only to accept people they’ve met face-to-face as their ‘friends’, never to accept strangers – and never, ever to meet a newfound Messenger ‘friend’ in person.
  • Messenger can also be a key tool for cyber-bullying (see next section).
  • Download the program for yourself – and give it a try! You might find it opens a new communication channel with your child.

Internet Safety

The Internet is a fantastic and valuable resource for children, but it also provides a number of avenues through which children can be vulnerable or exposed to unsuitable content. However, managed and monitored correctly, there are several ways in which you can help ensure your children stay safe online.

A few tips:

  • Educate yourself about some of the online technologies available to your child – such as Messenger, chat rooms, social networking sites, and blogs.
  • Be sure the Internet is available in a public area of the home, rather than allowing children to access it from their bedroom or behind a closed door.
  • Make it clear it’s okay for them to confide in you if something happens (for instance, if they’re approached by a stranger who makes them feel uncomfortable) and this won’t result in their Internet privileges suddenly being revoked or limited. Make it clear it’s not their fault.
  • Implement reliable security software on your family PC that tracks and logs which websites are visited, allows you to allocate specific timeframes for Internet usage, and blocks unsuitable content.
  • Use the Internet alongside your child and show you’re interested.
  • Educate children that the ‘facts’ they find online might not be genuine; and that nor might the new ‘friends’ they meet online.

Text speak

Not sure what your children are even saying anymore? With growing popularity of mobiles – and the Internet – communication has given rise to a whole new ‘language’ favouring shorthand and code. Here are some meanings of a few common examples of this code to help you work out what’s being said.

  • LOL = Laughing out loud
  • AML = All my love
  • BRB = Be right back
  • B4N = Bye for now
  • BTW = By the way
  • CYT = See you tomorrow
  • FF = Friends forever
  • KEWL = Cool
  • OMG = Oh my God
  • P911 = Parent Alert
  • PAW = Parents are Watching
  • PAL = Parents are Listening
  • QT = Cutie