How do you raise children in the 21st century? It is the digital world, so traditional ways of parenting are no longer effective or healthy.
Good parenting today is about balance: Use technology to manage behaviors, but not too much so that they don’t forget how to be human.
Let them be bored sometimes, as it sparks creativity. Bring them outside so that they can meet friends and gain social skills.
Too much screen time can increase the risk of social anxiety in children, especially if it replaces real-life interactions.
Most importantly, model the kind of emotional presence you want them to carry into adulthood. You don’t want them to be a robot with a beating heart.
Help them grow up knowing how to connect with themselves, with others, and with the world beyond a screen.
How to Raise Children in the 21st Century
Many people express their disinterest in having children because the world has become “corrupt” and not child-friendly.
While it is true that raising children in the 21st century comes with challenges, it is still possible for them to grow up well in this era.
Set Boundaries That They Must Respect
Set boundaries so that your children learn early on that the world has rules and that actions come with consequences.
If you just allow them to do whatever they want, they might grow up thinking they really have that much freedom, and that rarely ends well.
Respect Their Boundaries Early On
You must also respect your children’s boundaries so that they don’t become a pushover or abused once they grow older.
Bullying and peer pressure are common problems today. They need to be strong enough to say “no” or to leave a bad situation.
Don’t Be Authoritarian
Years ago, being authoritarian seemed to be the best way to raise disciplined children, but they grew up anxious, insecure, or rebellious.
Children need to understand why rules exist, but they must not be forced to follow blindly because it teaches obedience without understanding.
Adults who learned blind obedience in childhood may struggle with self-confidence and resisting harmful authority.
Also, fear makes them want to hide things from you. And when that happens often enough, they start pulling away.
Spend Time with Them Outdoors
Children now spend much of their time indoors because they are busy watching TV, scrolling on devices, or playing video games.
Who made it happen? Parents! Who can stop it? Parents!
Too much screen time is physically unhealthy (because they are being a couch potato) and can cause social anxiety.
Make the effort to spend time outdoors to give them a healthier and happier foundation and the opportunity to meet people.
Validate Their Emotions
“Stop crying! That is not a big deal! Don’t be dramatic!” Those dismissive words teach children to bottle up their emotions.
It can harm their mental health and make them feel misunderstood.
You don’t need to agree with everything they do and say, but please create a safe space where they learn how to manage emotions in a healthy way.
Teach Them Before the Internet Does
The internet is risky. Children are exposed to endless information: Some are helpful, but much of it are harmful, misleading, or inappropriate.
The internet exposes children to cyberbullying, online predators, inappropriate content, and privacy risks.
If you don’t actively teach them good values, knowledge, and life lessons, the internet will fill that gap, possibly in the wrong way.
Be their first teachers so that they can be better equipped to filter information critically and make smart choices online.
Optional: Don’t Use Technology to Stop Them From Crying
Many parents today hand their children a device to calm them down. While it might work in the moment, it can lead to bigger issues down the line.
It teaches them to rely on it, watch Cocomelon or what have you when they feel sad, instead of learning to manage their emotions.
That habit shows up later in life in different forms.
Try other soothing methods, such as holding, listening, or calmly talking to them, so that they develop self-control and emotional resilience.
