Expert Advice to Keep Jersey Kids Safe in the Digital World [Interview]
Dr. Catherine Pearlman, the founder of The Family Coach, is a licensed clinical social worker who has been working with children and families for more than twenty-five years. She holds a Ph.D. in social welfare from Yeshiva University and a master’s of social work from New York University. Dr. Pearlman is also currently an associate professor of social work at University of Massachusetts Global. She is also the author of Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction.
Research shows that 96% of children under 4 have used a mobile device, most before their first birthday. With digital technology and smart phones so ubiquitous, it is nearly impossible for parents to monitor and protect their children at every turn. That’s why there is an urgent imperative to teach children to make better decisions regarding their Internet and digital device usage. FIRST PHONE is the first book written for young girls and boys to learn how to be safe and thoughtful while using a smartphone or other digital device.
In FIRST PHONE, Catherine Pearlman—licensed clinical social worker and parenting expert—introduces 8 to 12-year-olds (and their parents) to the concepts of digital safety, privacy, social media, sexting, cyberbullying, phone etiquette and how to set appropriate boundaries to establish a healthy digital relationship in an increasingly complicated online world.
In her interview with Joel and Maryann, Dr. Pearlman discusses:
- How to protect kids from falling from scams
- The 5 points of digital etiquette
- Smart googling: what is it and why you should teach it to your kids
- Self-care and smart phones: 5 essential habits to teach children to improve mental health
- How to set up good digital habits well before getting a first phone
- The problem with constant social interaction
- The 5 vital sections to include on a smartphone contract
- Why it’s important to teach kids about a digital footprint — before they create one
- What to do if your child is sexted/you find out your child is sexting
- Does your kid ask you to make videos and post on social media? You’ve got a problem. Here’s how to moderate it.
Check out the interview here:
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