Four ways your child can use the internet productively

With COVID-19 numbers remaining high, parents are grappling with limited options of how they can keep their children entertained and still be able to maintain their sanity.

Although the internet has been of great help in keeping both children and adults entertained, some parents are still unsure of whether to give their children access to the internet. Fear creeps in when you think of what sites your child might access or who they could be communicating to, and as a parent, it is important that you understand the power you hold in regulating your child’s internet use.

It is up to you, as a parent, to ensure that your child remains safe on the internet and that they don’t end up getting negatively impacted. We look at some ways your child can use the internet productively:

Considering most educational classes are being taken online, this would be a great opportunity to teach your child how to conduct online research. It could be an English topic they did not grasp well or a mathematics formula they are unable to apply.

You can teach them how to find explainer videos and get easier ways of hacking their educational problems.

Other than school work content, you can also guide them on researching topics that are likely to hone skills and hobbies.

Instead of letting them play unproductive video games all day, you can get them educational games such as those they can sing along to, do spelling bees and learn how to count while disguising themselves as entertainment.

If there are areas your child is struggling with in school, you could do online searches for games that can improve their skills on these concepts. Online games are less tedious, meaning they can have an easier time interacting with educational material and have softer introductions to new topics.

Despite the negative effects of the internet, we are in the digital era and the earlier your child develops a digital skillset the better for them. It doesn’t always have to be about social media or endless games when they are on their screens, they can also learn basic robotics and coding as well as some photo editing.

Naturally, children are more inquisitive and thirsty to learn, and at that young age they are likely to grasp these concepts faster than as grown up when they’ll be gripped with other engagements.

Having online study groups is also an easy yet productive way of keeping your children engaged. For instance, you can liaise with fellow parents for your children to form a book club where they can read books and later in the day get down to discuss with each other. Children gain confidence when they learn from their peers.

Study groups are also a safe way for your children to socialize while you discreetly supervise them.