
As we wait for more illuminating insights to emerge, I’m curious to understand how other families help their kids walk the line between their digital and analog lives. In the absence of a universally-accepted set of best practice guidelines, here’s the approach my family is taking:
- Moderation is key
We’ve adopted a ‘common-sensical’ approach. No, we won’t be turning into a technology-free household, nor will we give the kids an all-access card to digital devices. Instead, we aim for a balanced amount of screen time. In general, it’s homework before gaming, and we try to have two iPad-free days a week.
While initially met with resistance, my older son now values these technology-free days and says it gives him more “time to think.”
Achieving a fine balance is no easy feat. We find ourselves re-calibrating what moderation means on an almost weekly basis. Next on our list is implementing a policy whereby the kids earn screen time via daily chores. Here’s hoping that Minecraft will lead to a tidier house (or vice versa!).
- Take the time to understand their world
Before my son got into Minecraft, I would never have imagined hearing the words seed, mob, spawn and turtle used in the same sentence. And I must admit the pixellated, retro look to the game did not appeal to me one bit. But sit down with my son I did, in an attempt to understand why the game was so compelling to him.
While I still don’t quite get the appeal, I now know enough to conduct a half-decent conversation around different types of ore, and why emerald is so much rarer than diamond in his world.
- Link online games with the real world at every opportunity
My son belongs to a Minecraft club, which meets every week under the guidance of an amazing team of youth volunteers. He’s learning the basic rules of online etiquette and cyber safety, as well as collaborating with other kids his age on social projects. Plus, he’s learning to code in a safe environment.
Importantly, he’s also starting to find his tribe—people who share the same interests and passions as him.
So, regardless of the next big headline about the impact online games have on kids, Minecraft will still be played in our house. As long as the chores are done.
This article is from a monthly column called Mushroom Mum. Click here to see the other articles in this series.
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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Photo: Mike Prosser/Flickr/CC.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.