On the occasion of the launch of its new GRAVITY series tablet line for the whole family, the Spanish consumer electronics brand SPC partners with digital education and communication expert Laura Cuesta to guide parents towards a healthy and safe introduction of children to technology.
Laura Cuesta and SPC have created a guide to help parents navigate the digital literacy process for children, highlighting the importance of normalizing discussions about technology within the family from the perspective of both risks and opportunities.
Technology is more present in our lives than ever before. Today, mothers and fathers face the challenge of educating new generations in a fully digitalized world that is considerably different from the one in which they grew up. For this reason, and on the occasion of the launch of its new GRAVITY tablet line, which includes the SPC GRAVITY 3 MINI, SPC GRAVITY 4, and SPC GRAVITY 4 PLUS, aimed at the whole family, the Spanish consumer electronics brand SPC has partnered with digital education and communication expert Laura Cuesta to help parents navigate this complex reality resulting from technological progress and to demonstrate that a safe introduction of young children to digital devices is more than possible.
"Setting limits is essential for minors to develop their own resources, critical thinking, and ultimately become autonomous in their digital lives," says Cuesta. For this to happen, the expert points out that "it is essential to normalize technology, which is so prevalent in today's society, and to talk about it from the perspective of risks but also opportunities. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the first contact with digital devices be from the age of 2, with supervision and using parental control systems like those offered by the SPC GRAVITY 3 MINI tablets, designed specifically for children with a size and colors perfect for a first tablet. As they grow, from age six onwards, they will need devices that better suit them, such as the SPC GRAVITY 4 or SPC GRAVITY 4 PLUS, with more internal memory and power to adapt to new uses."
SPC has collaborated with Laura Cuesta to create the Digital Guide Decalogue, a series of tips and best practices for parents aimed at facilitating the digital literacy process so that younger users and their families can use technology safely and healthily. Below, you will find a summary of each of these ten key points, although you can access the full decalogue content, as well as other advice on setting up first tablets and parental controls, on the landing page created by SPC, Safe Technology for the Whole Family:
- The importance of understanding and empathizing with them. Every child and teenager has different characteristics and needs, which will be reflected in how they use technology. In this regard, parents should tailor their digital education so that the experience is satisfying and beneficial.
- Teach them the three fundamentals of technology use. Guidelines should always be based on safe use, to protect privacy and security online; healthy use, to avoid excessive screen time by regulating screen time; and responsible use, which will allow children to acquire skills they will need in the digital world.
- Master the digital environment. Just as in other areas of life, mothers and fathers are the primary role models. Familiarize yourself with the digital environment and equip yourself with resources and tools to guide them as a true digital ‘sherpa’.
- Encourage communication. It is essential that parents spend family time together, both with and without technology, practicing communication and active listening with their children to prevent risks they may face online.
- Teach them to have fun outside the online world. Promote a balance between online leisure and offline activities. Playing sports, doing crafts in the afternoon, or spending time with friends are great options to enjoy and have fun away from a screen.
- Educate them about the risks and threats of technology. Banning electronic devices or internet access does not mean you are protecting them from possible dangers in the digital environment. What matters is that they feel involved by having knowledge of the digital world and that parents accompany them at all times.
- Encourage them to be a ‘digital philosopher’. Parents should teach their children to use the internet less impulsively, to reflect and question everything they read or see online, and to seek reliable sources.
- Respect must prevail both online and offline. Parents should teach respect in the digital environment just as outside of it, to have empathy, and to fight against cyberbullying or defamation of their friends or peers.
- Boost their creativity. Social networks and video games are great sources of entertainment, but the internet also offers children countless resources to learn new things, from languages to art to programming.
- Rules and limits start at home. Parents can and should establish rules appropriate to the child’s age, setting a family routine and schedules for both school activities and screen time.
Parental mediation is crucial in the digital literacy process, as are current tools like parental control systems, which are very effective in helping manage rules and prevent risks. SPC’s general manager, Teresa Acha-Orbea, states: “At SPC, we are not only committed to putting technology in everyone’s hands that helps them in their daily lives and makes life easier, but also to ensuring that this technology allows everyone to grow and connect with the world in a more genuine and profound way. None of this is possible without promoting healthy, safe, and responsible use across all layers of society.”
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