The internet and technology are so integral to our daily lives, and you may be confronted with many warnings about the ways that they can negatively impact your child and his or her development that it can be difficult to remember that the internet can also be a positive tool. Then, here are some of the best uses of technology and the internet, and how they can help both yourself and your child throughout their lives.
For Education
One of the most indisputable ways in which technology and the internet are useful and can help both children and adults to grow and develop as people is that they can aid education and ensure that everyone can learn the knowledge that they need to. This was amplified throughout the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic, when most learning was moved online to fill the space that in-person schooling left behind. Then, the internet can still be a great educational tool today as it can allow both children and adults to research whatever they want, whenever they want, whether this is homework or just because they have a sudden interest in a certain subject. Then, with the internet, every single piece of information that you could ever want is at your fingertips.
This has been utilized by universities in recent years, with many universities and colleges now offering courses that may be of interest to you and your child as they get older and start to think about their future. These online courses allow students to learn remotely and while working in a job through the use of an online portal, where all of the necessary resources, such as recorded lectures and assignment details, are stored. In most cases, students can even submit assignments online. For instance, Carson-Newman offers online PMC-FNP & MSN-FNP programs that are 100% coursework-based, which will help the next generation of those who will do a lot in terms of transforming healthcare with this online degree.
For Connection
The internet is also incredibly beneficial for a lot of people as it can help to cultivate connections with people, whether they are near or far away from each other. There are now many online communities that have grown up out of social media platforms, and social media platforms and instant messaging apps can allow you and your older children to connect with each other, make and cement friendships, and stay in contact with loved ones when they are away from home. There are also now many clubs and societies that host their meetings and events online, and these can help you to feel as if you are part of something, even if you are struggling to find a community near you. However, you should be wary of letting your child use social media apps, with most of these being barred to those who have not yet reached their teenage years, and you should make sure that you talk with them in-depth about cybersecurity and about how they can stay safe online. This will then make sure that they can build a connection with others without risking their own sense of security. However, being able to use instant messaging apps can be useful so that you can stay in contact with your child when they are out and about and in case of emergencies.
For Entertainment
However, just because the internet can also be used for fun, it does not mean that it is any less important. There are lots of ways to stay entertained online that can benefit your mental health and well-being and that can allow your body to fill with happy chemicals. For instance, you and your kids may regularly play games online, such as multiplayer games and puzzle games, or you might decide to use the internet to look around a museum that you have always wanted to visit. Many museums now have virtual exhibitions that can allow you to tour around the museum in question without having to be there in person. You and your child might also use the internet to read digital magazines and newspapers to find out more about a subject that you are interested in, or to make sure that you stay informed as to what is currently happening in the world. You can also use the internet for shopping for both essentials and non-essentials, and even simply browsing information on what you would buy in an ideal world. It’s fantastic for researching products and services so you can become an informed consumer.
