Screen Time Resources and Advice

The role of parents, guardians and educators has evolved into that of digital mentors and coaches, guiding our children through the complex landscape of technology. 

And, we're asked to do all of this on top of our normal jobs and responsibilities...you know, work related tasks, making sure we're up on academics, tending to sports commitments, taking care of the home, thinking about weekly meals and snacks, etc. 

And, just to make it that more tedious, there's not only whole device parent controls to think about (which one is best, which one won't they circumnavigate, what do I even do?), there's individual app parent controls (think Roblox, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Minecraft, etc). But wait, you're also bombarded with academic worded research, opposing views, screen time limit worries, safety issues, fear mongering, and the list goes on.

As a seasoned educator with over two decades of experience in the classroom, and mother of 3 now teens (who started off with iPods as very young kids), I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact of technology on education and child development, both the positive and the negative. 

My journey from obtaining a degree in Developmental Psychology, to being a tech forward parent, to being in the traditional classroom with 1:1 devices from K-12, to harnessing the digital realm and all it has to offer, has equipped me with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age. I get how busy parents are, I know how badly tweens and teens want to be heard, and I know there are ways to get everyone on the same page, starting with communication. And it doesn't have to always resort to parent controls, ban and block. It's NEVER too late to start changing the narrative.

A Passion for Digital Citizenship

My passion for digital citizenship ignited during my time at 1:1 device schools (this means every child either has a school issued device or a BYOD device to use throughout the day). From 2012, my first 1:1 iPad school, and over the next 10 years, my experiences provided a front-row seat to the digital transformation of education. Technology wasn't going away. We were spending a lot of time up-skilling teachers on how to implement devices into teaching meaningfully and with purpose, but we lost sight of the needs of the parents and students when it came to how to implement these devices into our lives, both at school and at home. 

I played a pivotal role in developing and rolling out digital citizenship programs for thousands of students, seeing the need for guidance for everyone, including staff, parents and students. Here we were, handing out devices, but not really looking at whether or not we were equipping our kids with another important tool...digital literacy competence/media literacy. These initiatives aimed not only to teach responsible online behavior but also to empower young minds to harness technology for learning and creativity.

From Digital Citizenship to Digital Wellness

While digital citizenship is vital, I soon realized that there was an equally pressing need for digital wellness education. With the proliferation of screens in our kids' daily lives, concerns about screen time, online safety, and the impact of technology on mental health became prevalent among parents and staff. Even me, as a parent of three teens, struggled in my own home, and I was tired of the arguing, banning and blocking (I quickly realized years ago this was not the answer). I wanted conversations and understanding. I wanted to help equip parents and kids with habits that would bring them together over technology, not tear them apart. While digital citizenship is important, there's also the aspects of mental health, productivity, physical health, and so much more, when online.

This realization led me on a journey to become a certified Digital Wellness Educator. My mission evolved to focus on not only fostering responsible digital citizens but also nurturing a generation of young people who could thrive in the digital age while maintaining their well-being.

Valuable Resources for Families

Understanding the concerns time-poor parents face, I took everything I know about parenting, pedagogy, inquiry, child learning, and technology, and developed resources specifically tailored to address these challenges. I want to take a moment to explain each one, as digital wellness isn't yet mainstream, which means parents don't exactly know what it is or how it can help. And the best part is, some are to hand over to your kids (then discuss together throughout or when completed), some are for the whole family, and some are just for you, but in bit size formats.

Ebook: "Connected, Not Consumed"

This comprehensive guide equips tweens and teens with actionable insights to promote responsible device use and open communication within the family. It's a roadmap to help your tweens and teens navigate the digital world safely and confidently, but also encouraging open conversation with parents. It's a guide full of:

• practical templates

• engaging exercises

• insightful tips

• actionable information. 

Whether your tweens and teens tackle it solo, you use it as a guide to help your kids, or your family works through it together, this ebook is your roadmap to empower your children to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

Digital Wellness Course

The digital wellness course takes a deep dive into critical topics from:

• screen time management 

• fostering healthy relationships with technology

• maintaining mental well-being

• algorithms and attention economy

• physical health

It's designed to empower tweens and teens with practical strategies to thrive in the digital age. The course is meant to take 6 meaningful weeks, allowing time to practice the strategies, do the homework and engage in all of the activities provided each week. It's asynchronous too, which means there's no pressure to fit it into your already busy schedules within a certain amount of time. It's been a great tool for some families to do together, but also for tweens and teens to do alone (feeling empowered and developing autonomy), and then discussing it with their parents.

Parent Hub

The hub came out of a lot of requests from parents. They asked for:

• Easy explanations to everything their kids are confronted with online

• A safe space to self educate and reach out with questions

• Bite size information where they could learn things in 10 min or less

• Resources they could use with their kids to help get conversations started

• A NO SHAME environment, one that would either prepare them for first phones, or help them navigate current phone use

Weekly Blog

My weekly blog serves as a valuable, free resource for parents seeking insights, tips, and the latest research on digital wellness. Each post delves into critical issues, providing guidance and solutions that can benefit your family immediately.

*New Free Resources

• Pass It On, challenge for tweens and teens 

• Raising AI Smart Kids, a guide for parents

• Connected and In Control, a guide for rising college students, or those already in college

And so much more.

Why These Resources Matter

• Creating a Common Ground: The resources provide a common language for families to discuss digital habits. By starting these conversations, parents can better understand their children's digital experiences.

• Empowering Digital Confidence: With knowledge comes confidence. The resources empower both parents and children to navigate the digital world with awareness and purpose.

• Fostering Open Communication: By addressing concerns and setting guidelines together, parents and their tweens/teens can strengthen their relationships and build trust around digital issues.

In essence, the resources are rooted in the belief that technology should be a tool for empowerment, learning, and connection. It's my privilege to share this knowledge with parents, helping them guide their children toward responsible, balanced, and mindful digital lives. 

Heather

Reduce Screen Time Stress: Practical Tips Every Parent Needs

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