Nikki Bush - Tech-Savvy Parenting: A Guide to Raising Safe Children in a Digital World

TECH-SAVVY PARENTING

A GUIDE TO RAISING SAFE CHILDREN IN A DIGITAL WORLD

NIKKI BUSH

ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK

Nikki Bush and Arthur Goldstuck, 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission from the copyright holder.

ISBN: 978-1-920434-90-8

e-ISBN: 978-1-920434-91-5

Published by Bookstorm (Pty) Ltd

PO Box 4532

Northcliff 2115

Johannesburg

South Africa

www.bookstorm.co.za

Edited by Sean Fraser

Proofread by Wesley Thompson

Cover design by publicide

Book design and typesetting by Ren de Wet

Ebook by Liquid Type Publishing Services

To all the parents who cross my path daily with their queries and concerns, and to the chief technology officers in our home, my precious sons Ryan and Matthew. We are all learning together.

Nikki

For my teachers: Sheryl, Jayna and Zianda.

Arthur

Arthur and Nikki have written the book that everyone wants, whether they know it or not. Its an absorbing, accessible and inspiring book for everyone, from a stay-at-home parent to a big-cheese businessman, and from a wannabe six-year-old to a tech-savvy know-it-all 14-year-old.

Jenny Crwys-Williams

As respected authorities in their respective fields of parenting and technology I am thrilled that Nikki and Arthur have collaborated in offering their profound knowledge, experience and expertise. The need for assistance in navigating the minefield of our high-tech world with our children is paramount. The timing couldnt be better. Tech-Savvy Parenting is an essential read that combines parenting and technology in a most unique and accessible way that will inform, guide and help you gain a balanced perspective. Nikki and Arthur tap into the essence of being a connected family member, both online and offline.

Dorianne Cara Weil (Dr D), Clinical Psychologist

If youre a parent or someone involved in the lives of todays digitally nurtured young people, you must read this book. It is a superb insight into the digital world that is shaping our children and us and provides both helpful insights and practical tips for how we can raise well-balanced children in the midst of all this technology. The book manages to tread a perfect line between the need to help our children understand and thrive in this digital world, and yet also protect them from the excesses and dangers that lurk therein. Children who are raised on the principles shared in this book are going to be superstars in the new world of work that is emerging all around us. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Dr Graeme Codrington, author, futurist, presenter and co-founder of Tomorrow-Today

As our children become increasingly technically proficient and preoccupied, it is vital for adults, parents and teachers to be aware of the world they frequent! Tech-Savvy Parenting is a comprehensive, practical and insightful guide to understanding the possibilities and perils of this world, how to make it safe for our children, and how to embrace the opportunities it presents.

Keith Wilke, College Head, HeronBridge College, Johannesburg

The authors celebrate and honour the essential nature of child development, how children learn and the digital medias place in it all. We know that screens should be used by children in moderation, but what does that mean? This book explains the concept of moderation so well. I cannot recommend it highly enough to every parent, educator and therapist.

Cara Lee Weir-Smith, Occupational Therapist and founder of Impact Learning

Invaluable information that all parents need to be aware of.

Izabella Gates, author of the Life Talk series, MD of Life Talk Forum

As parents we have a choice. We can either embark on this digital journey with our children or risk losing them to a world we do not understand. The earlier we begin, the better. Teach them the boundaries when they are toddlers, and hopefully by the time they are curious, rebellious teens, they will be able navigators, alert to the risks and alive to the opportunities that the online space offers. Tech-Savvy Parenting is a compass every parent needs to navigate those digital waters safely.

Sally Burdett, eTVs parenting show, Great Expectations

This book is a reminder of why it is so important not to allow the overuse of screens to hijack the first 1 000 days of a childs life, while at the same time setting the scene for healthy assimilation of screens as a child develops so that they are prepared for an increasingly digital future.

Lynda Smith, CEO of BrainBoosters

It is refreshing to read a book by a parenting author that supports parents by encouraging them to take advantage of the benefits of modern technology. Nikki gives sensible advice on avoiding the dangers that exist when used irresponsibly. She believes, like me, that trust is good but control is better!

Dr Dereck Jackson, Educational Psychologist and author of Parenting with Panache

Tech-Savvy Parenting empowers moms and dads in their role as gatekeeper and facilitator of all forms of media in their childs world. No parent should be without it!

Sonya Naude, Editor, Living and Loving

In our world of such re-aligned and re-negotiated relationships often mediated by technology there has never been more potential or more threat for children to learn and connect, or to find themselves hurt and excluded. Unless parents empower themselves, they could find themselves helpless bystanders. Thats what this book provides: clear, sensible and informed empowerment.

Marc Falconer, outgoing Headmaster of King David High School, Linksfield and author of Notes From A Headmasters Desk: The Challenges of Education, Parenting and Teenagers

Having just returned from presenting workshops to young adults in Manhattan, I feel that this book should be compulsory reading for every parent even more so for parents of children from privileged backgrounds.

Leonard Carr, Clinical Psychologist specialising in the psychology of appreciation

Technology could be the miracle cure needed to transform education; conversely, it could lead to the disintegration of human relationships. In Tech-Savvy Parenting, Nikki Bush and Arthur Goldstuck traverse the chasm of opinion that is so divided about the power of technology, and offer parents insights into how best to utilise technology for enhancing education and helping children to learn to get along.

Alistair Stewart, Boys Preparatory Head, St Stithians College, Johannesburg

CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS BOOK

If youve picked up this book, its probably because youre a parent looking for help to make sense of a digital world that youre finding rather challenging. Youve realised you are no longer the chief technology officer in your home and that you are not keeping up with the demands of technology. Its starting to feel like the kids are in charge and there seems to be a shift in the balance of power in your home. What happened to being mum or dad and feeling like you were the boss of everything! When you dont know exactly what you need to know, why you need to know it or what you need to do about it, being a parent becomes even more daunting than it already was.