‘Entire generation of people have not been educated…’: Bryan Johnson writes an intimacy manual for his young adult son

 

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 Broaching the topic

According to Shravani Bongu, Psychologist and PhD Scholar, children are naturally curious. If parents do not provide answers, children will seek other, perhaps less reliable, sources. Here’s what you can do:

• Always maintain an open line of communication with your child, and explicitly state that they can come to you with any questions.
• Never shame a child or get angry when they ask you something.
• If any question or topic is asked suddenly or takes you aback, you can always tell them that you will get back to them.
• Take the time you need to process the question and frame the answer in an age-appropriate way.
• Be direct and clear in your answers. If you are unsure, let them know that you will get back to them with more information.

Bongu also mentioned that it is critical to address internet safety and media literacy in the digital age. “Teach youngsters about appropriate internet use, the dangers of revealing personal information online, and how to critically analyse content,” she advised.

She recommended framing your answers based on the child’s age, level of comprehension, and the nature of the question. “Let them know that there are no wrong questions, and they can always come to you, no matter what. If you want to initiate the conversation yourself, make sure the environment is comfortable and create a safe space between you and your child,” the psychologist concluded.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.