Family values can provide the foundation for your parenting philosophy. They can help determine your parenting priorities and guide your family’s decisions and the way they act towards others. Family values can also inform how your family interacts online.
What are my family’s values?
There are so many ways to get at this. Take the opportunity to make it a family affair and get your kids involved. Examples of family values are: authenticity, accountability, compassion, fairness, love, respect. There are many online resources to help you get the conversation going. We like this one based on an interview with Dr. Aliza Pressman, developmental psychologist, author of “The 5 Principles of Parenting,” and host of the podcast Raising Good Humans.
Family Values and Online Behavior
Now that you’ve come up with your guiding values, it’s time to think about how they can inform online behavior. Let’s take the example of the value of respect.
The value of respect can guide online interactions in several ways, two of which are:
- Giving consideration to others
- Self-respect
Giving Consideration to Others
Let’s take the very common practice of posting and sharing photos. At TDSU we advocate something we call Permission Before Posting– kids need to be taught to get permission from someone before putting their photo online. This is an example of giving consideration to others. Similarly, your child should expect the same respectful treatment of their image – by you, by their friends, etc.
Self Respect
When your child interacts online expecting to receive the same consideration they give to others, they are exhibiting self-respect. This is particularly important in the digital world. Most kids engage online seeking a sense of belonging, and when they have a strong foundation of self-respect, they are less concerned with fitting in.
How does this translate to kids interacting online?
When a child interacts online with self-respect, they have an easier time deciding who should and should not have access to them online. You can use our Circles of Consent activity to reinforce the lesson that just because your child can interact online with someone doesn’t mean they should.
Don’t just follow your kids online. Lead them.
