This interesting excerpt from a 'blog' called The Workpad was forwarded to me recently and certainly worth sharing with you all.
Proactive Parenting: Checklist for parents of children with iPads
Often children lack self-discipline and gravitate toward iMessage, Social Media and gaming. Sometimes adults may request their children to put digital devices away without providing an alternative. Positive parenting requires a proactive approach.
It may be worthwhile as a parent of children with mobile technology to complete the checklist below to ensure healthy lifestyle is established within the family household:
þ I have established house rules and re-visit expectations regularly
þ I have enabled iPad Restrictions and installed web filtering on the home network
þ I expect my child to use the iPad in an open area and do not allow use of the iPad in bedrooms
þ I greet my child when they arrive home
þ I boil the kettle and make a cup of coffee or tea for myself and share afternoon tea with my child
þ I discuss the day with my child and ask them what they need to do for homework
þ I set a time frame for work completion and monitor activity
þ I use Guided Access when appropriate and necessary
þ I review the work my child has completed on the iPad and display genuine interest in their productivity and work
þ I eat dinner with my child at the family table with the TV switched off
þ I have boundaries for my own personal use of Social Networking, phone calls and texting
þ I spend quality time with my child and have established family traditions (ie Sunday bike ride, Friday Movie or Saturday Pizza night)
þ I have allocated time as a 'Digital Sabbath'
þ I ensure the iPad and all mobile technology is turned off and charged overnight in a common area
þ I switch off WiFi at a designated time each and every night.
