The perils of parenting in a digital age

The advance of technology over recent decades has been so rapid, and has become such a ubiquitous part of children’s lives, that, as Bailiwick Data Protection Commissioner Emma Martins makes clear today in her column, ‘the risks that young people face in the online world are real’.

The statistics she cites are shocking.

Spending more than an hour a day using screen-based media stunts pre-schoolers’ language and literacy skills.

Almost half of children have been made to feel uncomfortable, been bullied, or had a sexual interaction online.

Children who have been cyberbullied are three times more likely to contemplate suicide compared to their peers.

One in four have had online sexual encounters with adults via social media.

The solution seems obvious: restrict their online access and screen time.

If only it were that simple.

Children now need access to this technology for their school work, to connect with their friends, and to hone the digital skills they are likely to need in their future working lives.

What we can do is educate them about the dangers, supervise where possible and push for initiatives that will make the digital world a safer place for them.

As Mrs Martins says: ‘We must not allow our most vulnerable to navigate this brave new world alone. This must be a community endeavour.’