Parenting in Times of Information

The news today broadcasts two interesting (and also sad) studies, one shows that after analyzing websites of 15 retailers, about a third of the clothes marketed to tween girls are sexualized, revealing or emphasizing sexual body parts, or presenting sexualized prints. The other study, among high school students from Connecticut, shows that one in every 25 teens has "problematic Internet use". Students reported an "irresistible urge" to be on the Internet and tension when they weren't online, resulting in aggression.

While technology is here to stay, and we can't isolate kids from less than appealing idols such as Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus, it is becoming more and more challenging for parents to raise kids with the ideal balance.
We want our kids to be tech savy. Kids these days can't understand life without the huge availability of information and resources readily available online. Just by using Google or Wikipedia, we can find and learn the world. And it is awesome! But kids also need to develop sharp executive skills to allow them to concentrate, learn and make decisions. They can only achieve that by developing their creativity and imagination through active pretend play, reading and play time with other kids, away from the internet, TV or video games. However, we also want our kids to be social and speak their peer's language. That includes knowing references of who and what peers are talking about.
While parents from past generations had to deal with wars, bubbles and terrorism, this is our  moment to manage parenting in times of information!


For more details on the studies mentioned above, please click below 
Trashy Tween Clothes
1 in 25 Teens Addicted to Internet