Tech Ramparts – Why Strategies Such as Age Restrictions, Age Verification, Tech Banning, and Tech Laws Are Not the Panacea!
- The White Hatter
- Feb 24, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
In today's onlife world, the challenges of parenting extend far beyond the physical world. As our children immerse themselves in the ubiquitous world of technology, concerns for their safety and well-being naturally and understandably arise. In response, many parents, politicians, and special interest groups are now all in specific to laws, online age restrictions, age verification, and outright bans on things like cellphones in schools as being the answer. However, it’s our argument these measures alone are insufficient to safeguard our children in the vast and ever-evolving onlife landscape - you can’t childproof the Internet through legislation (1). Case in point, vaping (2) – over the past few years age restrictions, age verification, banning, and laws have been implemented, yet vaping is still a significant concern with youth today.
Imagine attempting to hold back the tide with a mere sandcastle – It's comparable to the endeavour of attempting to fully prohibit technology, or implementing foolproof age verification systems, or passing good well-thought-out legislation to protect children from the internet's more unsavory aspects. Don’t get us wrong, age restrictions, technology, and laws do have their place in ensuring children's safety online, however, they are far from being the panacea that some promise them to be. Here are some of our thoughts on this topic:
Instead of simply erecting barriers that teens will scale or bypass using tech, such as VPN’s or burner phones to name a few, we must equip our children with the tools and knowledge to navigate the onlife world safely and securely. Teaching them about digital literacy and critical thinking is essential. By empowering youth and teens with digital literacy skills, we enable them to make informed decisions and mitigate onlife risks more effectively.
Banning technology outright can sometimes backfire, sparking curiosity and driving youth and teens to seek forbidden fruits. Instead of banning devices, strive for open communication, active engagement, and education. Encourage your children to share their online experiences, interests, and concerns with you. By fostering a supportive environment, you can guide and shepherd them towards responsible digital usage.
While age restrictions and verification for things like online pornography are important and can serve as a rampart for youth, they should not be viewed as a foolproof or one-size-fits-all solution. Every child develops at their own pace, and their readiness to engage with technology varies accordingly. As parents, it's crucial to provide supervision and guidance tailored to your child's individual needs and capabilities. Be present, set boundaries, and enforce rules that promote healthy screen use habits. As we like to say, “be your child’s best parents when it comes to their onlife world, and not their best friend.”
Rather than seeing technology as an adversary in which ramparts need to be built, embrace it as a partner in parenting. Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in technology, and actively participate in your child's digital journey. By embracing technology responsibly, you can harness its benefits while mitigating potential risks. (3)(4)
Recognize that you're not alone in this journey. Build a supportive network of fellow parents, educators, and experts who can offer guidance and share resources. This is something that we do here at the White Hatter. Engage with online communities and forums dedicated to digital parenting, where you can exchange insights, seek advice, and stay updated on emerging trends. Together, we can navigate the complexities of the digital age and foster a safer online environment for our children - Age Restrictions, Age Verification, Tech Banning, and tech Laws cannot replace onlife parenting!
While age restrictions, technology bans, and laws do have their place in safeguarding children online, they are far from being the ultimate solution. Instead, we must adopt a holistic approach that combines digital literacy education, engagement, supervision, and collaboration. By working together as parents, educators, and stakeholders, we can empower our children to thrive in today’s onlife world while staying safer and more responsible. After all, in a world where technology is ubiquitous in our kid’s lives, our greatest asset is not erecting ramparts to technology, but rather building bridges of digital literacy, understanding, and support.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
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