Embedded Files
Raising children to be good digital citizens and use technology appropriately requires a partnership between schools, students and families. Although monitoring software is enabled on all district-issued Chromebooks, ABRSD strongly recommends that parents and guardians supervise their children's use of all internet-enabled devices. Please read the following suggestions on how to monitor your child's internet access at home.
Raising children to be good digital citizens and use technology appropriately requires a partnership between schools, students and families. Although monitoring software is enabled on all district-issued Chromebooks, ABRSD strongly recommends that parents and guardians supervise their children's use of all internet-enabled devices. Please read the following suggestions on how to monitor your child's internet access at home.
Home Internet Controls
Parents and guardians can help manage children's access to the Internet by implementing free controls available with their internet service provider or purchasing parental control and monitoring utilities. Please see the resources below for more information and step-by-step instructions
Verizon Smart Family
Verizon Smart Family
Establish Expectations for Technology Use At Home & Build Healthy Onilne Habits
Discussing expectations for technology use at home is essential to students moderating their use of technology. Here are some suggestions that may help establish these expectations.
As a family, create a family media agreement that everyone agrees to follow (see example here from Common Sense Media)
Discuss ways your child can balance screen time with off-screen activities and encourage screen time limits and screen breaks when appropriate.
Establish adult supervision
When possible, have children engage in online activities in a visible location, not behind closed doors; check periodically to see if they are on-task
You may consider periodically accessing your child's accounts or checking browser history (on Chromebooks press the ctrl and h keys simultaneously) with your child's permission.
Establish tech-free times and places (such as the dinner table)
Require that devices be turned off at least one hour before bed.
Discuss ways students can use appropriate netiquette when interacting on various platforms (click here to see cell phone etiquette tips for Tweens)
Encourage students to tell you or another adult right away if they see something online that makes them uncomfortable or concerned.
Discuss Media Balance with your child
Technology and digital tools support engaged learning and create opportunities for creativity, communication and creativity. However, not all screen time is created equal. It's important for students to have balance outside of learning on their devices. Here are some additional tips.
Have conversations about quality and quantity of screen time. Encourage students to be active, not passive users of technology. They can go on a nature walk and take pictures of what they find to research online or include in a digital science journal, record a video of themselves reading a book to send to friends and relatives, create a website to share their artwork, map a family trip on Google Earth, practice typing skills, spend an hour learning to code at Code.org...the possibilities are endless.
Encourage students to fully engage in real-world interactions without looking at screens and unplug when possible.
Create an open dialogue with your child about the challenges they face with limiting screen time and help them develop awareness of their own screen time habits and agree to screen time limits
Share ways you personally have found media balance
Other Helpful Resources
Common Sense Media Parent Concerns Hub including FAQ's, articles & videos for many technology topics including screen time
Common Sense Media App, Game and Website Reviews
Digital Citizenship Activities provided by Wide Open School
Screenagers Documentary-a documentary about helping kids navigate the digital world
How to Set Limits on Screen Time by Child Mind Institute
Technology & Balance in an All or Nothing World by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
Office of Educational Technology Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide
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