Children’s Digital Education
In the XXI century, where children are born with an electronic device under their arms, it is necessary for them to learn to use and relate to information and communication technologies appropriately. For this, it is important to offer them a quality digital education both at school and at home.
But how to educate children in the use of new technologies? In the following lines we give you some useful recommendations to put into practice in the family environment. Take note of each one of them!
What is digital competition?
Digital competence is considered one of the key competences according to the current Spanish education law, that is, according to the LOMCE (Organic Law for the improvement of educational quality). Said competence is defined by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training as:
Thus, children, throughout their schooling, must learn to
- Identify the rights, freedoms and risks related to the digital world.
- Know and handle the basic specific language: textual, numerical, iconic, visual, graphic and sound.
- Know the main computer applications.
- Access different sources of information.
- Use various technological resources for communication and problem solving.
- Use and process information critically and systematically.
- Search, obtain and process information.
- Create digital content.
- Develop an active, critical and realistic attitude towards technologies.
- Develop curiosity and motivation for learning and improving the use of technologies.
- Assess strengths and weaknesses of technological means.
- Respect ethical principles of the use of digital media.
But this is not something that should be taught only in schools, but the little ones should also receive digital education guidelines at home.
Children’s digital education
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), some of the recommendations that families must follow to educate and prepare children for their growth and development in a completely digitized world are the following:
- Establish basic norms and rules of behavior and communication in the virtual environment, as has been done throughout life in physical environments.
- Establish limits and restrictions when using electronic devices on a day-to-day basis, especially during preschool age.
- Lead by example, being a good role model when interacting with new technologies.
- Take care of the content to which children are exposed.
- Select with criteria the games, applications and programs to which children have access.
- Do not use new technologies as a resource to keep children calm and quiet.
- Create technology-free spaces in the home that encourage socialization among family members. For example, avoid screens at lunchtime, in bedrooms, etc.
- Carry out leisure activities as a family without the need to use technological means.
- Enhance free play time without screens.
- Get involved and participate, in some way, in the digital activities that children usually carry out. For example, playing a video game with them, helping them search for information on the internet, etc.
- Do not deprive adolescents of communication with their peers through the use of technology, although it is necessary to ensure that they do so responsibly.
The importance of digital education in childhood
All these measures are necessary for children to develop in a holistic way and to be able to adapt to technological advances effectively.
Of course, it must be remembered that children are children and that although it seems that from a very young age they have mastered new technologies perfectly, they need the guidance and guidance of a reference adult to avoid using them in an inappropriate way.
