The best way to learn is by doing. Doing entails action, not inaction.
I’ve been blogging for about a year now. And a few months back, my daughter, a twelve-year old high school sophomore, started her own blog, too.
With my permission, of course.
If your eyebrows hitched up a bit (or considerably) at the revelation, I’m not blaming you. Indeed, what was I thinking, eh?
When it comes to our children, their safety is of paramount importance. And that means online or offline. While it’s true that online safety in children is something parents feel strongly about, prohibiting our children from blogging (if blogging is something they really want to pursue) may not be wise.
Further reading: What Children Should Know About Money
The Internet is part of the world they live in, and with the Internet, they are better able to explore the world around them and the world oceans away.
Blogging has long been accepted as part and parcel of the Internet, and teaching our children the right blogging principles is a much more plausible solution than banning it altogether.
The benefits
If you haven’t taken the time to really think about it, here are some aspects blogging may help improve in your child:
1. Writing skills.
Practice makes perfect. Blogging for an audience enhances a child’s writing voice.
2. Communication skills.
Through active interaction with readers (might just be grandma or grandpa), your child learns that online communication should not at all be different from face-to-face conversation, meaning, he has to be respectful at all times.
3. Research skills.
My daughter likes to snap shots of anything around and outside the house. Later, she would enhance the photographs using a photo editor.
Through research, she’s able to better compare different photo editing applications, what works and what doesn’t. In one of her blog posts, she talks about the do’s and don’ts of photo enhancement based on her own experience.
4. Social skills.
With blogging, being the buzz among a lot of kids nowadays, your child gets to discuss blogging in general with like-minded children. Also, by nurturing relationships with children his age who blog about the same things he does, (i.e., hobbies, computers, music, etc.) he develops a more profound appreciation for the things that interests him.
5. Computer skills.
With blogging, your child learns ways to effectively use the Internet, which sort of reading material is valuable, how to monitor their activity online, even the time they spend researching and creating blog posts.
Limitations to set
For the above benefits to come to fruition, below are some points About.com recommends you discuss with your child:
1. Blogging and online rules.
Depending on what you and your child agree on, rules may include your child not using his full name, no mentioning of your address or easily identifiable places nearby, no uploading of personal photos and so on.
2. E-mail, passwords and privacy.
There are child-friendly blogging services where only trusted friends can see your child’s blog. But if your child prefers a wider readership and is technically ready (meaning, willing to go through the aspects of a more complicated blogging platform piece by piece), WordPress, Tumblr and Blogger are options to look into.
Plus, it’s advisable to have your child use an e-mail address that you can monitor as well.
3. Content screening.
You may preview your child’s work before he publishes it online, and if any, discuss possible problems with him.
4. Blog and online activity monitoring.
Monitor your child’s blog regularly. Read the content, including the comments. Check the URLs he links to. Monitor his friends’ blogs to get a clearer picture of his blogging activity.
5. Blog discussion.
Last but not least, talk to your child about his blog, including the things he’s learning socially and technically, and his goals for the blog. Talk about online safety and pointers that can enhance his blogging experience.
Conclusion
Most tweens and teens who want their own blogs set up will find ways to get those blogs up and running whether their parents approve or not. The only way to ensure online safety for your child is to constantly keep communication lines open.
Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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My 13 year old son started blogging at age 11, he created a site in wp and he made posts on my sites and the last one was a review on a product.He is pretty good on it. To answer your question,yes ,I will allow my children to blog.We know our kids better than others,and even if they are not good at it yet, as you mentioned ,practice makes perfect. our kids needs the support and guidance from us.
Very well said, Mommy Tess. And kudos to your son. I actually read about his review, even the American Idol blog entry. He’s good, I must say.
I definitely agree with your views. Hayz, all my children are all grown ups. I’ll just wait for my grandson to reach what I call the ‘blogging age’. good read.
Thank you for dropping by, Papaleng! If your grandson sees you blogging on a regular basis, chances are he’s going to become a blogger himself one day.
Actually, he is besides me right now. I’m babysitting for him.
Doting grandpa. 🙂 Well, aren’t you all are? 😀
Blogging does have its benefits, but you’re right. At such a tender age, parents should still screen whatever the content the kid posts and guide him or her when it comes to the comments that are being posted by visitors in the blog without being too critical. That way, you’re showing your support and protecting your kid and his or her blog at the same time.
As always, your insights are spot on, Adeline. Thanks for dropping by!
Sure, its a good way for children to learn how to read, improve their writing skills, research and self expression.
Thanks for dropping by, Seny!
I will allow my son to blog at the right age if he wants to, but of course, I will strictly screen what he gets to publish in his blog, and yes, I will make him read this post to get him started if he is really keen on blogging someday. Thanks for these helpful tips!
Thanks for visiting, Tetcha. And you’re welcome!
Hmmm… I probably wouldn’t let my daughter have her own blog until she’s 30 or something :). It’s a dangerous world out there. But yes, blogging does have its benefits, like enhancing her writing skills. But I think there are other avenues for this, like for instance, having a good old-fashioned diary or journal. Anyway, good luck to your daughter on her new venture. As long as you’re there to give her the guidance she needs, I guess she’ll be fine 🙂
30 got me smiling, Pepper. My daughter started with a gold old diary that she handcrafted herself. It escalated from there, I guess.
I think it would be ok as long as you get to visit your child’s blog and get to see who they interact with. It can help develop creativity and writing skills.
I think so, too, Franc. Thanks for visiting!
Why not as long as its within his/her interest but of course it should be writing stuff and not the other way around 🙂
I didn’t exactly get the “not the other way around” part, Herbert. 😀
Why not?? It’ll be their way or at least one of their ways to express their feelings through writing.
I totally agree with you on that one, Ness.
I will allow my children to blog and write about anything that interests them but as a mother like me… I have to guide them and make sure they blog about clean and substantial topics not offending ones.
I agree, Marri. I think we should encourage them in their interests. As long as we’re there to guide them, I think everything will be OK.
It is good to know that a very young age your daughter is already starting to develop a lot of skills. I believe there are more advantages than disadvantages 🙂
I think that’s what every parent wants for his/her kids – to see them develop their skills even at a young age. Thanks for dropping by, Yani!
Pag po ako may anak na, tapos may talent naman siya sa pagsusulat, isusuggest ko sa kanya na mag-blog. Kasi pwede maka-generate ng income ang blogging. Para pag malaki na siya, high ranking na blog niya. Hehe.
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Mahusay na logic ‘yan. Oo nga naman. 🙂
Thanks for visiting, Monmon. Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas din po.
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Thanks, Monmon. Happy new year na rin. I hope you have a great time with your family. Oh, and by the way, I left you a comment on your post. 🙂
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