10 Things Every Parent With a Connected Kid Needs to Know

Parents reading this story probably remember life before the internet—but your kids don’t.

- NEIL J. RUBENKING

Internet access is just a given to them. Turn on the tap, you get water. Turn on the internet, you get cat videos, intense games, conversations with friends… just about anything! Face it, your kids are connected in ways no previous generation has been.

Limits on gatherings and physical contact because of COVID-19 are pushing young people online more and more. Can’t go to the movie theater? Have a watch party with friends. Can’t sit down on the couch and play video games in person? With a good connection, online play is fine. Chances are good many schools won’t open for in-person learning this fall, so your connected kids will take their lessons over the internet.

It all sounds so convenient, but you may be left with a worry or two. In the preonline age, parents could keep an eye on their kids. Their friends came over for playdates. You got to meet their teachers. If they went out, you knew where they were going (or at least, where they said they were going). But please, don’t worry. We’ve got some tips and ideas to help you care for your kids in their modern, connected environment.

1. REALIZE THAT YOUR KID IS PROBABLY WAY MORE TECHIE THAN YOU ARE

If you set out to control your child’s use of technology, you’re likely to fail. Most kids can out-tech their parents. Some of you may remember having your own parents come to you for help setting the time on the VCR. It’s a generational thing. If your kids are the ones who set up your Wi-Fi, you might find it tricky to kick them off your network.