Parenting in the technologically-minded age of today can be scary and overwhelming at times. Every time you look at a newspaper or listen to the radio, you’re confronted by stories of identity theft, online predators, cyberbullying, and more, and all of this can leave even the most tech-savvy of parents scared of wifi and cell phones. With all of this potential danger, no one would blame you for wondering whether or not there are any advantages that could possibly outweigh the huge number of risks. Thankfully, despite all the worry, there are lots of ways technology and the internet can benefit your family and everyday life. Here are eight advantages to consider.
Coordinate Schedules And CalendarsWith work, school, homework, and any number of extra activities, finding time to sit down with your family each day can prove to be a challenge. However, with the use of digital and online calendars, you can now share appointments, events, and reminders with the rest of your family, allowing you to coordinate your schedules and spend some quality time with one another. These calendars can be accessed across almost any device, including computers, tablets, and phones, which means there’s no excuse for you to miss a football game or dentist appointment.
Manage And Save Money
Whether we like it or not, money makes the world go around, which means that, when you’re low on cash, life can get pretty difficult, causing enormous amounts of tension and stress for each member of your family. Thankfully, when using the internet, it’s easier than ever to manage your cash and save on the things you buy each day. There are lots of apps, websites, resources, and entire blogs dedicated to helping you cut your monthly expenses and gain financial freedom. Busy parents can also pay their bills online, which means you can avoid any late-payment fees.
Develop Skills And KnowledgeNot so long ago, if you wanted to develop your knowledge, you’d have to go searching through any number of books at the library until you found what you needed, but, these days, you can find out almost anything using your own phone. Whether you want to learn about Pythagoras theorem, Yishun facts, or different types of fence paint, a quick Google search will get you the information you need to know. Websites, apps, blogs, and social media platforms are all also incredibly useful, especially when it comes to your kids and their education.
Work From Your Home
Thanks to advances in technology, telecommunication has grown in popularity in recent years, allowing more and more employees to skip the long drives to the office and get work done from the comfort of their own home. This has a number of advantages for employers and managers, but it’s also incredibly beneficial in regards to you and your family. This is because it allows you to be more flexible and saves time, which means you have more opportunities to bond with your family and focus on your home life. You will also save money on fuel and public transport costs.
Communicate Quickly And Easily
Despite hectic schedules and the general chaos that comes with family, today’s technology has made it so that you can communicate with any member of your family quickly, easily, and cheaply. If you want to ask your teenager what they want for breakfast or speak to an aunt halfway across the world, all you need to do is send a text or instant message over social media. This can provide parents a lot of peace of mind, as it means that you can check in on your little ones throughout the day, stay updated on where they are and can reach them in an emergency.
A Sense Of Belonging
When you’re struggling to get your kid away from the television or their phone, you might think that technology causes a disconnect between people, and while this may be true in some cases, it certainly isn’t for all of them. In fact, most of the time, the internet, and social media particularly create a sense of belonging for young people, as they can find and talk to those that have similar interests as them. You can also use hashtags to get involved in much wider conversations and discuss topics with individuals from different countries and backgrounds.
Keep The Family Entertained
The internet and technology are tools that have a number of uses, but one of the best things they can do is help you and your family have fun. From music, to films, television shows, games, and more, there are a number of entertainment options you can choose from. This vast variety of selections can help to bridge the gap between family members and generations, allowing you to connect and spend some proper quality time with one another. With a games console or a Netflix subscription, you could easily spend hours laughing and having fun with your loved ones.
Teach Children Internet Safety
With the threat of predators, fraudsters, cyberbullies, and more, the internet can be a scary place, even for the most grounded parents. However, as dangerous as the online world can be at times, it can also be used to teach your children about internet safety and keep them safe. There are plenty of online resources that teach your children about passwords, social media privacy, who they should be adding and speaking to online, and much more. There are also apps and tools that allow you to monitor your child’s internet activity and block any inappropriate sites.
Whether we like it or not, technology is a necessary part of modern day life and one that few of us could ever live without. That being said, it also has the power to cause unimaginable amounts of damage, which is why responsible use is absolutely crucial. Before giving your child their first cell phone or tablet, be sure that they understand the dangers and set some rules and restrictions for them to follow. By doing this, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t benefit from all of the opportunities and advantages that the online world can bring.
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