Every Parent Should Watch Adolescence

Technology is always changing and it is something that our kids will have to use, so it is something parents will have to adapt to. However, there are many things you can put in place to still protect your child with the inevitable use of technology.

 

Every parent should watch this show. Adolescence opened with a massive 24.3 million views in its first four days. But that was just the beginning. It pulled in 66.3 million views in its first two weeks streaming on Netflix, a record for a limited series. It is now, already, the third most-watched English-language series in Netflix history.

And in a first for MecKidz, we recommend you watch it. Not because it is entertaining, fun to watch or uplifting. But because it is important. Here is the trailer so you know what it is about. Watching this series reminds us of a very important truth. 

The digital world is uncharted territory. The smartphone came out in 2007, but didn’t outpace “dumb phone” sales until 2013. Do the math. Smartphones, and the unique access they give to the world of the internet, have only been in our lives for 12 years. 

Which means that you are the first parents of the digital age. There hasn't been any parent in past generations who knows what it is like to grow up in today’s digital age. So, what should you do?  

First, understand the issues kids deal with today. 

Here are just a few:

• Bullying and harassment online.
• Pornography
• Sexual activity online
• Depression
• Peer pressure at ALL times of the day
• Anxiety
• Social media
• Body shaming

Notice that drugs, alcohol, STD’s and other issues of the 90’s and early 2000’s are not included. It’s not that those aren’t important. It's that they pale in comparison with the struggles of modern kids. Kids are universally struggling with the digital world and all things related to the smartphone in their pocket. 

And before you say “My kid doesn’t have a smartphone.” and therefore this doesn’t apply, remember, your child does have access to the internet through video game consoles, tablets, and the home computer. Also, your kid's friends likely have a smartphone, or social media. Even if your child is not on those sites, they do experience the effects of that world! 

Imagine going to school and finding out from your friends all the “stuff” that happened online since the previous day.

Imagine finding out that rumors were spreading about you online and you had no idea.

Imagine going to play Roblox and being constantly bullied and harassed. Whether our kids are on social media or not, have a smartphone or not, they are shaped by this digital world.

Therefore, the second thing you can do as a parent is to understand the digital world that permeates our world.

How? A good place to start is the Meck Institute class “Facetime: What Parents Need to Know About Technology, Social Media, Video Games and More" This class was developed a few years ago, but the content is just as, if not more applicable, today. And the wisdom is timeless. 

The third and most important step a parent can take, is to build a culture of communication in your home. 

Communication that informs you, not just about the digital world in general, but informs you about the world your child experiences day in and day out. 

 

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