Gia Miller writing for The Child Mind Institute (US) advises parents and teachers to let children make bad decisions in early years so that they can learn from then. ‘We need to let kids experience the consequences of bad decisions and work through them. That’s how we’re going to help our kids become adults in the world.’ Jumping in and making decisions for them can be counter-productive when they are later faced with making important decisions on their own.
The processes involved in making a decision can provoke anxiety and yet shying away from making a decision can also have negative consequences. Educators and parents alike have a responsibility to gradually transfer ownership of decision-making to young people effectively arming them for the future, especially with issues relating to their online behaviour.
In the educational theatre incursion ‘Cyberkindness’, The Playground Craze demonstrates choice through exploring the consequences of different scenarios. The process of thinking through a decision uses skills that can be fostered in the classroom; identifying that a decision needs to be made, gathering information and assessing the alternative resolutions.
‘Empowering an active and ethical digital generation means equipping children to actively, positively and responsibly engage in society, whether this takes place on or offline’ (OECD 2023). Making positive choices comes from knowing yourself and understanding your core values. Acting in line with personal values is always the best choice as it can reduce anxiety and provide a secure base for the future.