Multi-Media Families

I attended a presentation last evening, hosted by DePelchin Children Center's Kezia DePelchin Society, "Texting Instead of Talking?" by one of DePelchin's many talented staff members, Jennipher Cole, MA, LPC.  Jennipher highlighted the importance of appropriately combining multiple modes of communicating.

She shared 6 important tips:

• Set the standard - Model for your children what it means to use technology responsibly.
• Establish "no-tech" times - There is no substitute for interpersonal dialogue.
• Use texting for appropriate communications - It is not the tool for serious, formal conversations.
• Emphasize technology's unforgiving nature - Stress the ease with which information can be forwarded to unintended recipients.
• Monitor online, talk offline - If you see something online that worries you, calmly address the issue face-to-face.
• Friend moderately - Never post anything on a site like Facebook that might embarrass your child.