Digital Age Parenting

Why Parenting Styles Matter More in The Digital Age

Why do parenting styles matter more in the digital age? Because your child can find an alternative life online, without you, and because of the increase in mental health challenges.

Are you a parent who takes the time to explain “why” when your child asks you questions? Are you more of the “do what I say” parent of somewhere in between.

Parenting styles are important as they play a large part in forming your child. Every Parenting Style has a remarkable effect on Children. The reason why parenting styles matter more in the digital age, is because digital natives can find an alternative world online. The only way to stay relevant in their lives is to build the right relationship while you can.

Digital Age Parenting

Parenting in the Digital Age

Parenting in the digital age is different; this is because our children are exposed to a digital world. The digital world offers them information and a whole virtual world that parents cannot navigate. You know the good ol’ days where you could simply say “because I said so?” It no longer exists!

Nowadays any information your child needs is just a click away and available 24/7. I joke and say that Uncle Google has moved into our lives and homes and is always ready to provide an answer to our children.

What are the Parenting Styles?

There are just as many parenting styles as there are a number of parents. However, there are some basic parenting styles that fall into these: authoritarian, permissive, authoritative and neglectful.

as digital natives our children can find an alternative world online which either involves you are a parent or shuts you out Click To Tweet

Authoritarian Parenting Style and the Digital Age

The authoritarian parents are like army commanders. They prefer to issue commands and orders to their children and fully expect their children to carry out their orders without questioning them. They do not welcome nor appreciate any feedback from their children. and live by set and defined rules in a structured environment. These are the parents who say “Because I said so” or ” I am your mother don’t ask me why”

These children have more of a fear than a love for their parents.

Children are naturally curious and want to know why you have issued a particular order, or want to understand why they cannot do something. For children of authoritarian parents, when they do not have an enabling environment to express themselves and ask questions, they tend to retreat even more to the online world to find answers. In and of itself, using the internet to get information is not bad…what is disturbing is when these children tend to rely on this because they cannot talk to or reason with their parents.

When it comes to the digital age, these parents might simply ban their children from getting online. his will only work for some time as the children are likely to get on behind their parents back. It is better to explain to them and be open to discussing their questions.

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Permissive Parenting Style and the Digital Age

The permissive parents are generally lenient. They let the children look after themselves and avoid confronting them at all costs. These parents practice parenting by default. This means they take virtually no action in parenting their children.

These parents are more concerned with being seen as their child’s friend or to be seen as a cool parent. They, therefore, let their children engage in actions that they otherwise shouldn’t. These parents tend to get their children access to the internet, smart devices and even open social media account for them. They do this because this is what everyone is doing, or worse their child throws a tantrum if the parents say No.

In the digital age, this parenting style exposes children to online dangers. These children have a false sense of security; because after all; their parents allowed them to get online. They are also allowed to spend long periods of time online. And usually, they are also allowed to have their devices in their room at night with little or no control put in place. Lastly, they are also left to figure out how to navigate the digital world by themselves; as their parents don’t spend time discussing the pros and cons of the online world.

Authoritative Parenting Style and the Digital Age

The authoritative parents are both demanding and responsive at the same time. Authoritative parents while expecting their children to behave in a certain manner, don’t impose their authority. In addition, they welcome a certain amount of questioning. Their children appear to be more lively, their self-confidence is more developed and they seem to be more sure of their abilities. These children also show better emotional control and are more adept in their social skills.

As a result, these children are better equipped to deal with the good and bad, when they get into the digital world. Children of authoritative parents are able to ask their parents questions. They understand why their parents rule when it comes to using social media and other rules; because their parents explain to them.

Generally, the authoritative parenting style; also closely linked to the intentional parenting style; is the most ideal because it raises more balanced children. These children tend to be the happiest, most confident and self-assured of all the parenting styles.

Generally, the authoritative parenting style; also closely linked to the intentional parenting style; is the most ideal because it raises more balanced children. These children tend to be the happiest, most confident and self-assured of… Click To Tweet
Neglectful Parenting Style and the Digital Age

The neglectful or the “uninvolved parents” are simply uninvolved. These parents do not have any demands from their children; neither are they interested in answering any questions their children might have. They tend to not engage with nor communicate with their children.

The neglectful parents do not know what their children are up to. These parents might hide behind a busy lifestyle, demanding work and travel. They would relegate the majority of their parenting roles to domestic staff or other adults. These children will look for love and acceptance and this might lead them to the online world. And thereby get involved with things they should not.

Sometimes the children might even get cyberbullied and their parents wouldn’t know, because they do not notice any changes. Generally, parental involvement is very low.

You can see how different parenting styles can help or hinder your child in the digital age. With so much pressure and external influence from the digital world, children need an enabling home environment to navigate it all. – Yetty Williams 

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Is your Parenting Style Old School 

The Hazards of the Permissive Parenting Style 

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