Experts share technology tips with parents

by Juanita I.C. Traughber, communications director
 
A parent education workshop this week focused on safely managing a Middle Schooler’s use of technological devices at home.
In a crowded classroom, more than 30 parents jotted notes and listened intently for solutions to daily dilemma: cell phones, computers, and video games in the hands of their children.
 
A focus area of Middle School parent education this year is to provide specific suggestions for safely managing tweens and early teenagers’ uses of technological devices at home. During the workshop held Thursday, Dec. 13 in the Hassenfeld Library Classroom, MS Educational Technologist Kari Luecke gave parents a tour of the USN’s MS Resources page and its technology resources, such as instructions on how to use parental controls on PC, Mac, and internet routers.
 
Eboni Webb, psychologist and clinical director of The Village of Kairos, empowered parents to shape technology’s role in their homes while raising empathetic and mature children. Here are a few of her tips:
 
Determine your family’s values. Treat your child’s technology usage like a corporation treats employees using its devices. Filter apps through the values of the corporation/family and simply delete apps that do not meet the threshold. Make it clear devices belong to the parent/corporation, not the child/employee.
 
Do not chase apps. What may appear to be a basketball game may hide a social media channel. Even Pandora, a music streaming app, has chat rooms.

The internet is a morally neutral place, making it important for parents to set boundaries.
 
Have technology curfew. The white and blue lights in screens activate cortisol levels and disrupt sleep cycles. As the sun sets, gradually reduce screen usages or use an app that automatically dims screens.

 Tools like app and usage monitors are only a part of the overall solution, as parents cannot marry themselves to one product/software.
 
Parents should have their children’s passcodes and passwords as well as inspect phones.
 
Daily tasks like homework, chores, and physical activity should be completed before access to technology for play. Students should demonstrate responsibility with larger parts of life before access to video games, phone apps, and internet browsing.
 
When children do not follow house rules related to technology, Webb urged parents to take phones away for 24 hours. For children showing aggression or signs of tech addiction, Webb suggested "Flip Phone Ministry" or giving children flip phones instead of smartphones.  

Parents should view the Tech Resources section of the usn.org intranet for additional suggestions and Webb's contact information. 
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