You know, I never thought I’d see the day where I’d feel behind the curve in terms of technology, yet here we are… swallowing my pride and asking for parenting advice on handling tech with my kid. He’s 12 and it seems like his whole world revolves around screens- video games, YouTube, social media, you name it.

The kid probably dreams in pixels (not that he should stay that glued to the screen, I know, and that’s something we’re working on). Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve done my homework about setting screen time limits and all, but what bugs me is how little I know about the content he’s consuming.

I’ve never been a video game fan so when I hear him talk about Fortnite or Minecraft, I’m lost. YouTube is another sphere. He loves watching game walkthroughs and listening to some commentary channels. I don’t even get started on this TikTok thingy…

This is driving me nuts because I want to stay involved in his world, and at the same time, make sure he’s safe out there in that digital jungle. So how do you manage this? How do you keep up with their digital worlds, or better yet, how do you find common ground to stay connected to them with all these tech gibberish?

Would really appreciate any advice or shared experiences here. Feels like I’m navigating an entirely different beast of parenting here.

I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s like these kids talk a different language these days with all the tech terms, huh? My advice: sit with ’em. If he’s playing Fortnite, ask him about it. Trust me, kids love to talk about something they’re passionate about. Gradually, you’ll get a hang of what it’s all about. Doing so will help you stay in loop with his digital world. Plus, it gives you a check on what kind of content he is consuming. My daughter got me hooked onto some YouTube cooking channels this way! 😅 About this TikTok stuff, haven’t figured it out myself just yet, but hey, one step at a time! Hang in there, buddy! You got this!

Ah, tech parenting! It’s a jungle out there, huh? 😄 You’re spot on about joining in their activities. Watching a couple of Fortnite games does wonders for decoding their language. I did this with my son and woah, it opened up a lot of conversations we otherwise wouldn’t have had. And TikTok? Let me tell ya, it’s a universe on its own. But it’s fun once you get the hang of it. Maybe even ask your kid to show you how it works. Mine we’re stoked to be the ‘teacher’ for once! Hang tight, we’re all figuring this out one game at a time 🔮🕹️.

Oh, I totally get where you're coming from! It can feel like a whole new universe. One thing that worked for me was setting aside a bit of time to explore these platforms together. Maybe ask him to show you his favorite game or YouTube channel. It can be a fun bonding experience and gives you a peek into his interests. Plus, it’s a great way to discuss any content that might be concerning.

Another tip is to check out resources like Common Sense Media. They offer reviews and age-appropriate ratings for games and shows, which can be super helpful. Also, consider setting up parental controls on devices to help monitor and limit access to certain content. It's all about finding that balance between staying informed and giving him some independence. 😊