The Digital age provides unlimited information through computer technology. The advantages abound but can cause damage if not properly managed.

1. PARENTING IN DIGITALAGE
BY
DR RUTH AFUNWA
28/03/2021

2. OUTLINE
• What is digital age?
• Stages
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Influence on the family
• Parents and Parenting styles
• Parenting in the digital age
• Striking a balance
• Conclusion
• References

3. What is digital age?
The digital age or information age is the time when
large amounts of information are widely available to
many people, largely through computer technology.
The digital age gives what is good and also bad.

4. Stages: Pre-digital age
At this stage, things were done physically .
It was where media was physical, and where technologies lived
alongside and in parallel to each other, but rarely intertwined.
• Shopping
• Meetings
• Celebrations
• Movies
• Learning and so on

6. Mid digital age
The present stage
• This is a period that straddles the age where digital is becoming accepted
into the mainstream, and the age where digital is fully immersed into our
society.
• Offline versus online
• Moving from physical to virtual
• Less of physical contact in everyday activities

8. Post digital age
• People will be born truly digitally native.
• Technology becomes Sine qua non
• No more offline versus online
• 100% digital

10. Advantages of digital age
• News
• Banking and
Finance
• Smaller Sized
Devices
• Automation: Digital
technology is
increasingly making
machines smarter. In
some cases, the
machines no longer
need humans
• Communication
Speeds
• Social
Connectivity
Versatile
Working
Learning
Opportunities
Editing and
Accurate
Duplication
Information
Storage

11. GPS =
Global
Positioning
Systems
GPS and Mapping:
Finding locations
easily. GPS services
can now pinpoint
position accurately,
update you on traffic
jams and road
closures in real-time,
and give you lots of
up-to-date
information as well
as alternative
Information
@
Low Cost

12. Disadvantages
Crime and
Terrorism: the
internet is a
fertile territory
for malevolent
forces to
operate
Job
Insecurity
Plagiarism
and
Copyright

13. Social Disconnect
Secondhand Living
Social Alienation
Anonymity and
Fake Personas
Overreliance on
Gadgets/ addiction

14. Influence of technology on the family

15. Other benefits
• Working effectively
• Use of home gadgets
• Nanny Cams
• Educational apps
• Better Parent- Teacher communication (whatsapp platform)
• Social media…….

16. Cons Interruptions
with family
connections
Independence
(family divide);
self-love
Unhealthy
eating habits
Limited
outdoor
activity;
sedentary
lifestyle
Lack of
quality time
together
Independence
(family
divide);
self-love

17. Parents and parenting in digital age
Who is a parent?
• A parent is someone- a father or mother- who begets a child and is
the care giver; interested in the total wellbeing of the child.
• Parenting is the process of raising children and providing them
with protection and care in order to ensure their healthy
development into adulthood.

18. Parenting styles
• Authoritarian parents use a lot of commands and threats but little
reasoning.
• Permissive parents are high on affection but low on authority.
• Authoritative parents are high on authority, reasoning, fairness,
and love.
• The authoritative parent: explains reasons, sets standards and
enforces them firmly but does not regard self as infallible.
• Children at all age levels who are the most self-confident and
socially responsible children have authoritative parents.

19. Striking a balance
• Lead by example: having a healthy balance in the use of
technology starts with you as a parent and mentor. Be
technology savvy and use with moderation
• Foster a culture of trust
• Set boundaries/ limits: keep computers in a shared space

20. • Encourage family time/ get together: A strong family bond can be a source
of emotional support, love, security and protection, which makes the
challenges and trials of day-to-day living easier to face.
• Children flourish when they feel loved, nurtured and supported by their
parents and siblings.
• A good family life will have positive effects on children’s physical growth
and general wellbeing
• Do activities together
• Be their friends and know their other friends
• Understand the age related needs

21. • Provide Opportunities to Practice the Virtues
• Virtues develop through practice.
• Teach the four cardinal virtues:
• Prudence------ good judgment
• Justice------ respect the rights of others and give them what is their due
• Fortitude----- toughness
• Temperance---- self-control
• Teach by Example to form habits and conscience
• Expose them to good books and kindle their interest in reading

22. Important steps for parents (mums)
•Need for formation
• Unity of life
• Working with parents of like mind
• Club activities for children ……

23. Conclusion
Technology has come to stay. We have
to make the most of the good it offers
but in moderation at all times

24. References
• Andrew Mullins. Parenting for Character, equipping your child for life.
Finch publishing, Sydney. 2005. pp 2-30
• Sexual Education, a handbook for parents. Criterion, Lagos. 5th Ed. 2006.
Pp 5-35
• 5 ways technology has negatively affected families by Kim
WILLIAMSON
• Becoming a present mum; connecting with your children in 5minutes or
less. by Mary Ann Johnson

25. Thank you for your
kind attention