SP Village Meetup Gathers Experts On Raising Digital Natives

“Our parents didn’t have to deal with screens when they were raising us,” noted Ronna Bonifacio, Smart Parenting’s Editor-in-Chief, as she welcomed parents to the Smart Parenting Village meetup. Her words couldn’t ring more true, capturing the unique challenges modern parents face in today’s fast-paced digital world. On October 21, 2024, Smart Parenting formally launched its Guide to Digital Parenting at Alejo Restaurant, Citadines Roces Quezon City, to help parents tackle these digital challenges. The event brought together members of the Smart Parenting Village community for an afternoon of learning, shared experiences, and expert insights on navigating parenthood amidst an evolving digital landscape.

The event featured a distinguished panel of speakers, including Sex Therapist and UnPrude Founder, Smart Parenting Board of Experts member and mother of two, Dr. Rica Cruz, Summit Media Chief Operating Officer and father of two, Howard Dy Go, and Smart Parenting Editor-at-Large and mother of two, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, with Editor-in-Chief Ronna Bonifacio moderating the discussion.

A Community United by Purpose

From the start, Ronna shared the vision behind the Smart Parenting Guide to Digital Parenting, inspired by her experiences as a mother of three and Editor-in-Chief. She explained, “Early this year, I felt strongly about creating content and writing about raising kids in the digital world because every day I would read anonymous posts of parents in Smart Parenting Village on their challenges, while also reading headlines on Philippine education, studies on kids’ social media use in the West, and data on being the social media capital of the world. We were reminded during an editorial workshop: You cannot just give people what they want, you must give them what they need.” This reflects Smart Parenting’s commitment to guiding and even addressing critical issues faced by today’s parents.

And it seems that the topic resonates with a lot of parents–the atmosphere at the Alejo Restaurant that afternoon was palpable, with the majority of parents eager to connect, share, and learn from each other. Many also expressed how grateful they are in finding a community of parents with whom they can share the ups and down of modern parenting with.

Navigating Digital Parenting Challenges

The panel discussion was the  event’s highlight, where each speaker brought their unique expertise and shared their personal experiences to the table. Key takeaways included:

Dr. Rica Cruz: “Education, Not Restriction.”

As a respected sex therapist and parenting expert, Dr. Rica highlighted a key point: educating children rather than imposing restrictions. She further emphasized that considering the Philippine’s status as the center of child sex abuse materials production in the world, and that 80% of Filipino children are vulnerable to online sexual abuse, it’s only a matter of time when children are exposed to explicit online content. “What we can do to protect our children in this dangerous digital world is to educate and not restrict them,” said Dr. Rica. This means that instead of imposing prohibitive rules that can oftentimes be insufficient in protecting kids from digital dangers, what families need to cultivate is a culture of open communication. Parents should ensure that children feel safe to freely share their concerns and ask questions without fear of judgment or punishment.

One Smart Parenting Village member, Blessie Jane Cruz shared her thoughts on this approach, saying, “Don’t rely on school to teach your children everything; be the first to guide them. A safe space within the family is key.”

Howard Go: “Allow your child to educate you”

Howard, on the other hand, took an innovative stance by advocating for a reverse learning approach where parents allow their children to guide them. “Allow your child to educate you,” he shared, urging parents to embrace a mindset where they can learn from their children’s experiences with technology. Howard believes this approach fosters an environment of mutual trust, allowing children to feel empowered to discuss digital concerns openly with their parents.

Caren Basco shared, “Navigating this parenting journey alone is challenging, what more if we add to the mix the influence of social media and other digital advancements? Kalma and learn together with your kids–these are just two of the impactful pieces of advice from the talk.”

Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio: “We are parenting in a way we were never parented before”

For Rica, today’s generation of parents face new challenges that prior generations did not face, brought entirely by the digital age. She highlighted that today’s parents need to continually adapt as technology changes. One key point she shared to parents when sharing their kids on online platforms: “If it’s on your socials, make sure you are the star of the content,” and not your kids. 

Rica’s insights, as other moms like Christine Gregorio shared, “resonated with me when she shared how she decided to reduce her kids’ exposure on social media and how she utilizes these platforms thoughtfully.” Elinor Ann also said, “I learned that in sharing photos and videos of R3 and Rinoa online, I always consider their opinions and if papayag ba sila. Most of the time, they are the ones who're requesting me to post them on my socials. I don’t agree with them all the time. It depends pa din if I think na too much na or maiinvade privacy nila in a certain online content. Although I can’t take them away na sa socials ko since ‘Life with Mommy Ann’ started with them talaga and literally, they are my life. So I limit what I share online of them to be safe na din.”

Other Tips and Insights

As the panel discussion continued, the conversation expanded to practical, actionable advice that parents can do to protect and empower their kids in the digital space, including:

Rachelle Anne Sianson, mother of two, shared a few tips she learned in limiting her kids’ use of gadgets, saying, “I’ve always been careful with screen time, but setting gadget-free zones, protecting bedtime and encouraging playtime are some tips I’ll try.”

Pam SJ’s takeaway from the event is discomforting: “A screen is not your child’s access to the world, but the world’s access to your child,” further highlighting parent’s awareness of their family’s digital habits.

Momma KC expressed gratitude for the insights and support today’s parents have, saying, “The talk about Parenting in the Digital Era gave me so much to think about. From understanding how to set boundaries with screen time to finding the right balance between tech and family life, the speakers shared so many practical tips. I’m so grateful for the knowledge and support from this amazing community—being a parent in today’s world can be overwhelming, but it’s comforting to know we’re all in this together.”

Other parents also expressed their gratitude and reflected on the event, saying:

Rodelyn Nulud: “As a parent, it feels better that your child is not afraid to open up to you about anything because he himself knows that you are the first person who will understand him.”

Shiela Obregon: “Raising kids in the digital age is a good topic this afternoon. Children are quickly growing up in an environment that's even quicker to update and evolve.”

Parenting might seem like feeling our way around 90% of the time, but the good thing is, there are like-minded parents and communities who can guide us along the way. As Caren aptly said, “It takes a village to raise a child and I'm just grateful that Smart Parenting Village is here to help us parents go through this challenging yet rewarding journey.”

Discover why parents today need a guide for raising kids in the digital world.