In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, children are exposed to an array of online communities, which can positively and negatively influence their behavior and character. To help parents navigate the complexities of raising empathetic and kind-hearted children in the digital age, the Institute of Digital Media and Child Development recently hosted a webinar titled “The Golden Rule: Cultivating Kindness and Character Online.” Renowned experts Dr. Eva Tezler, Dr. Thomas Lickona, and Dr. Richard Weissbourd shared valuable insights on how parents can lay the foundation for a kind and self-aware culture within the family, influencing their children’s online and real life.
The Prosocial Aspects of Technology
Dr. Eva Tezler highlighted the positive aspects of technology, emphasizing how the internet empowers young generations to engage in self-expression, activism, and creativity on a global scale. While this is a significant benefit for society, there are also risks associated with unmediated online exposure. Children may fall victim to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and negative communication. Dr. Tezler stressed that parents play a vital role in shaping their children’s online behavior by instilling a healthy relationship with technology. Encouraging children to recognize the impact of their online and offline actions can help develop a well-adjusted attitude toward the digital world.
The Fabulous Five: Cultivating Kindness at Home
Dr. Thomas Lickona delved into specific strategies for nurturing kindness and empathy within the family. He introduced the “Fabulous Five,” a set of practices to promote kindness in family life. These practices involve:
Modeling, where parents exemplify morally-driven behaviors for their children to follow
Reasoning, which consists in explaining the reasons behind such behaviors to foster understanding
Empowerment, allowing children to have a say in family decisions, instilling responsibility and empathy.
These techniques shape children’s offline behavior and lay the groundwork for positive digital interactions when parents collaborate with their children to develop a thoughtful media engagement plan.