Behavioral Strategies and Example Wording to Promote Effective TECH Parenting
Taken from Pediatrics July 2018, VOLUME 142 / ISSUE 1
by Gabrielli, Marsch, & Tanski
“TECH” – Talk, Educate, Co-View, House Rules
TECH Parenting
Behavioral Strategies
Example Wording and Rules
T
Talk to your kids about their media use and monitor their activities
Ask questions in an open and nonjudgmental way
What is your favorite TV show?
Seek information on media your child consumes (eg, connect in social media)
What do you like to watch when you go over to your friend’s house?
Find out what TV, movies, applications, social media, and video games their friends like
How do you interact with your friends on social media?
Stay informed about new media sources
What new applications are you using?
E
Educate your children about media-related risks
Describe marketing practices of alcohol, tobacco, food, and cannabis industries
Do you notice how alcohol companies use partying or sex to promote drinking?
Discuss how media rarely depicts negative consequences of risky behavior
That show had a lot of drinking in it, but it didn’t show anyone getting sick.
Discuss normative, legal, and safe behavior as it relates to substance use and sexual behavior
It’s uncommon for children your age to drink alcohol, and most don’t drink at all.
C
Co-view and co-use media with your kids actively
Watch appropriate, kid-targeted media together
Let’s watch your favorite show together!
Model turning off inappropriate content and explain why it is not appropriate
I’m sorry, but this show has too much alcohol use in it; we need to turn it off.
Wow, that bullying was really mean. What might you have done differently to help?
Learn about your child’s applications, video games, social media, and Internet sources
Spend time learning about who funds media sources and what data new media sources collect
Tell me about this new application you downloaded; how does it work?
Who sponsors this application? Let’s find out together.
H
Establish house rules for media usage
Set clear boundaries on rating level of media allowed and where media is allowed in the house
No R-rated movies; only actively co-view PG-13 movies or shows over TV-Y7.
Use technology (eg, TV show V-chip parental controls) to promote house rules
No screened media in the bedroom.
Set up rules specifically related to industry-sponsored media
No Facebook account until 13 y old.
No industry-sponsored application or online game use.
No youth smartphone ownership until eighth grade.
Taken from Pediatrics July 2018, VOLUME 142 / ISSUE 1
by Gabrielli, Marsch, & Tanski
“TECH” – Talk, Educate, Co-View, House Rules
TECH Parenting
Behavioral Strategies
Example Wording and Rules
T
Talk to your kids about their media use and monitor their activities
Ask questions in an open and nonjudgmental way
What is your favorite TV show?
Seek information on media your child consumes (eg, connect in social media)
What do you like to watch when you go over to your friend’s house?
Find out what TV, movies, applications, social media, and video games their friends like
How do you interact with your friends on social media?
Stay informed about new media sources
What new applications are you using?
E
Educate your children about media-related risks
Describe marketing practices of alcohol, tobacco, food, and cannabis industries
Do you notice how alcohol companies use partying or sex to promote drinking?
Discuss how media rarely depicts negative consequences of risky behavior
That show had a lot of drinking in it, but it didn’t show anyone getting sick.
Discuss normative, legal, and safe behavior as it relates to substance use and sexual behavior
It’s uncommon for children your age to drink alcohol, and most don’t drink at all.
C
Co-view and co-use media with your kids actively
Watch appropriate, kid-targeted media together
Let’s watch your favorite show together!
Model turning off inappropriate content and explain why it is not appropriate
I’m sorry, but this show has too much alcohol use in it; we need to turn it off.
Wow, that bullying was really mean. What might you have done differently to help?
Learn about your child’s applications, video games, social media, and Internet sources
Spend time learning about who funds media sources and what data new media sources collect
Tell me about this new application you downloaded; how does it work?
Who sponsors this application? Let’s find out together.
H
Establish house rules for media usage
Set clear boundaries on rating level of media allowed and where media is allowed in the house
No R-rated movies; only actively co-view PG-13 movies or shows over TV-Y7.
Use technology (eg, TV show V-chip parental controls) to promote house rules
No screened media in the bedroom.
Set up rules specifically related to industry-sponsored media
No Facebook account until 13 y old.
No industry-sponsored application or online game use.
No youth smartphone ownership until eighth grade.