AUSTRIA, Karolin Schwaiger. On 21 November 2014 interested parents were able to attend a course on “Internet – the Media” in Pierbach in Austria. Some couples from the Lower Muehl area repeatedly conduct evening lectures here on current topics relating to marriage, the family and education.
In his keynote address Josef Hiebaun (father, theologian, technician) provided information about the “social media”. He mentioned the many possibilities opened up by these platforms, and also highlighted both the positive aspects of their use and the associated dangers.
His very creative PowerPoint presentation made if possible for even those who have not yet made use of these possibilities to gain a good insight into them.
The break following his talk was used for animated discussions during which the participants enjoyed all sorts of tasty offerings.
Proving rather than protecting
The second presentation was given by Max and Susi Mitter, the parents of four children and editors in chief of the periodical “Family as Vocation”.
They encouraged the parents to approach the subject without fear. Children have to learn how to use their mobile phones, the internet, TV and computer games responsibly.
To achieve this it is helpful to have clear rules for young children, who will then increasingly learn how to use the media on their own. It is important to discuss things with the children, question their behaviour, but also put oneself in their shoes.
In very easy to apply the pedagogical principles of Schoenstatt’s founder, Fr Joseph Kentenich, to this subject: Proving rather than protecting, and trust in God’s ultimate responsibility for the education of the children.
Follow up and equip
Fr Kentenich spoke about a pedagogy of protection and proving: We have to protect little children from dangers; we have to run behind them when they want to drive down a slope with their skateboard. It is important for little children to possess this basic trust in us. As the children grow up, this protection has to be reduced and we have to give children the opportunity to prove themselves. We can no longer protect them from doing all sorts of stupid things, so we have to equip them in such a way that they can prove themselves. This also applies to the way they use the media. Little children in the Kindergarten and primary school have to be protected from seeing too much TV. Clear rules are important (two programmes while I cook, or one DVD at the weekend …). As the children grow up things have to be discussed more, and they also have to have their say on how they spend their leisure time. It is a long process of learning on both sides, and it can only succeed if both sides co-operate.
Translation from German: M. Cole, UK
Source: www.schoenstatt.at
