GRAND Magazine - September/October 2018 - 6

digital legacy

Calling all digital guardian angels!
BY AARON LARSEN

I

can't tell you how many times I've
heard parents tell their children,
especially teens, to be careful
what they post online -- "digital
is forever" they say. And they are
right! But who is telling the adults?
I'm here to share with you that as a
grandparent, what you choose to
post online can have a significant
impact, not only on the remaining
years of your life, but in the lives
of those you care about for many
years after your gone.
As a kid in the '90s, I grew
up hand in hand with the technology that would change the
world - the Internet. The world
was truly at my fingertips. And
so was my childhood hero, my
Grandpa Grace.
Grandpa Grace was basically
a living, breathing superhero to us grandkids at that
time partly because he spoiled the heck out of us. More importantly,
we loved Grandpa Grace because he was dedicated to nurturing a
meaningful relationship with us grandkids especially from a distance.

"

If it hadn't been for a few fun, uplifting
emails that Grandpa sent...I doubt you
would be reading this today.
To do this, Grandpa chose to learn how to use the Internet. I

6 GRAND

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2018

eagerly awaited his emails, which usually
included really cool pictures, funny jokes,
and encouraging banter. When I had tough
days, I'd search for them in my inbox.

" "
Your grandkids are
online. The question is
are you online for them?

I remember one time during those painful
middle school years when I came home completely crushed. My world as I knew it back then
had been turned upside down from a relationship
that had gone sideways, and the bullying I was
experiencing. It's difficult to admit, but all I could
think about during that time was whether or not I
wanted to continue living at all. If it hadn't been for
a few fun, uplifting emails that Grandpa sent, and
that I read over-and-over again, I doubt you would
be reading this today. Those messages reminded
me about my positive qualities, that I was loved,
and that I had many experiences to look forward to
in life. There were also many people with which I wanted to share these
experiences.
The world has changed since my middle school years. Technology
has become ever present in our lives. We are more accessible to
others around the world than ever before -- to those who can lift us
up, and those who seek to tear us down. Unfortunately, it's the latter
audience that is prevailing. Now the bullying doesn't stop at school.
Kids carry these hateful messages with them in their pockets, on their
phones. Teen anxiety, depression and suicide rates are soaring.
After reading Grandpa's emails, I can tell you that it is not the

technology itself that is the problem. Technology in the hands of an
intentional, caring adult can make a world of difference in the lives of
younger generations.

Click here to continue reading

Are You Or Loved Ones Missing Out?
You're reading a digital magazine, so you have
digital skills, but what about a friend or a parent
who is left out?
I'm hosting an online "kickstart" training to
help grandparents and others create a digital
legacy and connect with loved ones where they
live. And for GRAND readers, it's FREE.

Yes, sign me up for the FREE training.
I want to be a digital guardian angel.
Aaron Larsen is the creator of GrandparentsAcademy.
com, the world's first and only online academy
dedicated exclusively to helping grandparents grow
meaningful relationships and rich legacies with their
loved ones. Aaron is also the Digital Engagement
Manager for Encore.org's Gen2Gen campaign to
mobilize one million adults to stand up and show up
for and with young people.

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GRAND Magazine - September/October 2018

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