Life has given me the gift of two children. Being a father is no joke. Here is an overview of the legacy I hope to give my children as they are introduced to the world of media, which is vastly different from my own background in this area.
1. Bright eyes and burning hearts.
Children grow up surrounded by tons of media choices, challenges, impulses and messages that exceed anything we humans have experienced before. They are exposed to both good and bad. It is important to exercise their ability to make choices. I believe that conscious attitudes form a shield against good and bad arrows flung from other sources. I want to work towards a strong awareness in my children, thus enabling them to develop social skills and build healthy attitudes towards life.
2. User ability and digital creativity
OECD, (Organisation for economical co-operation and development) defines digital competence as; ‘the ability to use digital equipment, the ability to work together with individuals and groups and the ability of independent actions within digital arenas.’ By giving my children access to the media world under a safe environment at home, gradually introducing a greater amount of trust and responsibility and at the same time inviting them to talk to either myself or their mother if they happen to experience something unpleasant, gives them a better opportunity to experience new learning and a feeling of achievement.
3. Happy media memories
Looking back on my own childhood, media experiences are a part of my own nostalgia: Christmas with magical television programs and films, the pirate game I played on my Commodore 64 in my friends room as a kid, the film ‘Ghostbusters,’ I was never allowed to see because of the 11 years and above rating. I hope to succeed by avoiding the typical pit falls such as overuse and unpleasant experiences. I want to be a part of creating happy memories for my kids and their childhood experiences with the media world.
A unique opportunity for parents
I want to be successful in this area. I understand, of course, that wanting something alone is no guarantee for success. My, being there, in my children’s lives as well as seeing them develop their own choices will go a long way in bringing results. An encouraging thought in all of this, is that we as parents have an amazing opportunity to be someone that our children can look up to, we can also help to create healthy attitudes and rich memories in the media world. Carpe Diem (seize the day), for your kid’s sake.
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