We live in the most connected age in the history of mankind. It was recently announced that more than a million Scottish homes and businesses will have access to high-speed broadband by the end of next year, with Britain aiming to have the fastest broadband in Europe by 2015.
As a nation we are increasingly reliant on fast internet not just for web browsing, but also for streaming TV, working from home, video calls and more. It is becoming a way of life.
Having the world at our fingertips, whether it is through a computer, tablet or smartphone, is revolutionising how children in particular grow up, affecting everything from the way they learn to the way they interact. Our younger generations now have more access to information, content and learning opportunities than any generation that has come before. This presents both exciting opportunities and challenges for parents, who are frequently less digitally savvy than their children.
As broadband becomes ever more important as a day-to-day amenity, so, too, does the need to make sure we understand how to make the most out of it. In particular – speaking as a dad – it is increasingly important that we as parents understand more about the internet as a learning tool for children, and that we can guide kids to explore the best parts of the web.
I am involved in a major new digital guide which provides tips and advice for parents on getting the best value out of the internet as a tool to foster their children’s love of learning.
The internet is truly a treasure-trove of helpful, free resources through which to inspire, excite and motivate children to learn. In the guide, I write a chapter on how to use the internet to encourage kids to find out more about the past, using it to explore the world around them.
Websites such as the BBC History site (www.bbc.co.uk/history), the British Museum (www.britishmuseum.org) and National Geographic (www.nationalgeographic.com) are great free resources to explore as parents with your kids, and get them interested in different periods from our rich and varied past.
The internet is also a wonderful tool through which to inspire our kids to learn more about the world around them, whether it is their local community or far-flung corners of the globe. I know that I would have loved sites such as Google Maps (www.maps.google.co.uk) when I was growing up, fascinated as I was to know more about a particular place or mysterious and foreign country.
As a free, additional educational tool to help children with their homework or assignments, the options that the internet provides are endless. For example, my six-year-old son is currently very visually focused, and has a very visual approach to using the internet. When he has some homework, he will start by looking at images about the subject online, or will go onto YouTube to watch a video – with the parental controls switched on of course!
For children of all ages, the internet is all about lighting their imaginations and learning how to explore a subject or find a new interest.
Our role as the first true generation of “digital parents” is to help guide children to use the internet constructively and safely, sifting out reliable sources of information. In this way, we can help maximize the value that fast internet can bring to the family home.
A key part of this role of course is to ensure that kids are safe when online, and that we help them understand the risks when navigating the online world.
There are some fantastic free resources such as Childnet International (www.childnet.com) and Think U Know (www.thinkuknow.co.uk) that provide a wealth of advice and tips for parents on how to responsibly monitor their child’s online activity.
• For more info on the guide I have been working on, Club Penguin’s Guide to the Wonderful World of the Web, and to download the guide too, visit: www.disney.co.uk/clubpenguin