ver (especially with the ability for others to screen capture!). If it falls into the wrong hands, it can cause significant distress. Possible outcomes include:
- identity theft
- property theft
- harassment from online bullies
- exposure to internet predators
- phishing scams
Children can be identity theft victims just like adults. Without your guidance and supervision, it’s possible for your kid or teen to reveal information that can be stolen and used for illegal activity.
Oversharing is common online, and it’s easy to let your guard down when you see so many people post content including:
- photos of people that include recognizable landmarks
- stories that feature names and locations
- pictures of report cards or awards that contain identity and location information
- vacation photos posted while you’re still away from home
- birthday greetings
It’s important to have conversations with your kids about the possible harm that can come from this kind of content. Not only is it eye-opening for them, but it’s also a useful reminder for you.
Deciding how and when to limit kids’ tech use depends on a few factors, like your child’s:
- activity level
It can help to adopt a flexible mindset and adjust screen time limits as needed.
One option is to set a daily limit but let your kids earn more tech time in exchange for beneficial activities, like:
- helping around the house
- spending time outdoors
- eating nutritious food
- reading a book
You can assign values for each or negotiate, depending on your child’s age and interest.
Including unplugged time for kids and parents in family technology rules gives everyone a chance to take a break from screens and interact without the internet, according to parent and child respondents in a 2016 study.
A few ways you can unplug as a family
- schedule a screen-free hour every day
- schedule a screen-free day each week
- designate a location in your home as tech-free
- assign tech-free status to certain events, like meals, movie nights, or family game night
If your teen is prone to anxiety, some unplugged time may improve their sleep. A current study involving teens ages 14 to 19 finds that more video game and computer time was harmful to the sleep of teens who were prone to anxiety.
Implementing a screen cut-off time well before bedtime may help your kids sleep at night.
Blue light is fine during the day, but people who use electronic media at night can experience sleep disruption. Disordered sleep can eventually contribute to health issues like:
- mental health conditions
To set children up for success, it’s worth considering encouraging technology-free bedrooms at night.
Once a child or teen is absorbed in scrolling YouTube or TikTok, or playing a favorite video game, it can be hard to transition them to the tedium of schoolwork or chores. Instead, you might find “temptation bundling” an effective motivator.
Temptation bundling: Here’s how it works
Think: Do what you have to do to unlock what you want to do.
The prioritization strategy involves completing an undesirable chore to access a desirable activity.
If you try this, keep in mind the circadian-disruptive effects of blue light in the evening. It’s important to stick to the evening screen cut-off even if the less desired task takes longer than usual.
As your kid gets older, they might object to the way you monitor their social media and video games. However, it’s important to stay involved to some degree, since teens can still encounter trouble online.
It’s easy to supervise when they watch TV, but a cellphone presents new challenges because of its size and portability. There are still some steps you can take to oversee their tech use:
- install parental controls on all devices
- ensure they use age-appropriate technology
- educate teens on the dangers of sexting
- educate teens on porn literacy
- allow social media profiles only if you have access to their password
Another way to supervise is to have your own account on the platforms of interest and participate (within reason!).
Supervise by sharing interests
- If your kid has Sn