Tuesday 5^th February 2013 marks Safer Internet Day, an event organised annually to promote safe and responsible uses for online technology. The campaign, now in its tenth year, is aimed especially at children and young people, with a view to promoting healthy internet practices. The campaign is one which Storage Options endorses and is proud to support during 2013.

The issues raised by the campaign are mirrored in the findings of a recent study commissioned by Storage Options, which found that parents are concerned about the amount of time their children are spending with technology. The study found that almost two thirds parents (62%) worry about the amount of time their children are spending using computers, consoles, mobiles and tablets.  Concerns about online activity were also raised.

Over the Christmas period sales reports indicate that children received more technology based presents than ever before, with worldwide tablet sales growing to 119 million units (a 98 per cent increase from 2011). Official figures have also found that children are one of the main technology users in our homes, spending approximately 353 hours every year using their gadgets, making it a genuine topic of concern for parents.

Even though just under half (41%) of parents admitted letting their children use their mobiles devices regularly, a quarter (24%) aged between 45-54 said they wouldn’t let them use their technology at all.

Storage Options has noticed the ‘tech-based anxiety’ some parents are facing with mobiles ‘phones, consoles and gadgets become more ingrained in our daily family lives. For this reason, and in support of the Safer Internet Day initiative, we are pleased to offer some useful parenting tips to help families enjoy technology responsibly.

1. Every parent must decide when their child is the correct age to use a mobile device – this is a personal decision with no right or wrong answer.
2. Teach your children positive computing habits by encouraging them to come forward with questions surrounding any negative situations and try to set a good example with your own online behaviour.
3. Don’t be afraid to communicate the basics to your child and teach them the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of using your mobile device. Educate them regarding online safety, cybercrime, rules of online etiquette and behaviour as well as information sharing and spending.
4. Screen time should always be limited with no more than two hours per day and use of devices balanced with other healthy everyday activities such as reading, participating in sports and playing outdoors.
5. Make it clear that games are only for playtime as part of a daily routine.
6. An efficient way of monitoring children’s usage is by getting involved and interacting with them too as this can help you both bond.
7. Try to work with friends or your child’s school and its district to develop a class for parents that educates about school policies on electronic aggression and the resources available to you as parents.
8. Make sure they do not access your devices in private areas of your house, with use restricted to areas like the living room and kitchen.
9. Use technology time as a reward as this can be useful, reinforcing to the child that access is actually a privilege and not their right. It can then also be removed for bad behaviour. Let them earn time by helping out at home, doing good deeds or doing well at school.
10. Try and get your child to use the device for anything that offers educational value or encourages them to learn about real life subjects from maths to history, science to geography.
11. Encourage open discussion about anything online and let them come forward and ask any questions they may have.
12. Finally, embrace technology and educate yourself as much as you can. Try to be hands-on with new devices, applications, social networks and services whenever possible as it will give you a chance to bond with your child.

New and emerging technologies have brought us a new era of communication and our youngsters learn to use social media forums and websites to learn, connect with friends, relatives and even potential employers. As long as the right balance can be found for a child’s lifestyle both parents and the child can benefit.