additional Tips

Introduce technology slowly. When you first give your child a smartphone, introduce access to an internet browser, the app store, and social media one at a time. Don't give your child access to everything at once. Avoid too much too soon.

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Enforce digital curfews. Find hours that work for your family and promote healthy sleep habits. Be consistent.

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Charge devices at night in a location where your child won't be tempted to access them without permission (i.e. not their bedroom). This may mean purchasing an "old school" alarm clock!

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Media-Free Zones: No screens in the bedroom. No screens in the bathroom. No screens in any zone that you designate "screen-free." 

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Media-Free Times: Don't use screens during meal time or family time. Don't use screens during any time that you designate "screen free." 

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Consider all devices to be "co-owned." Instead of assigning devices to individual family members, refer to devices by a generic name. For example, in our house, we say "The Blue Tablet" instead of “Clark's tablet.” This encourages the idea that devices are communal and not private or owned by the child. 

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Take screen breaks every day! You might try unplugging for a family "screen-free" night once a week (adults too!).

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Although we use filters, treat CAC-managed devices the same as any other device.

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Have conversations about the places your child visits outside the home. The great news is that three of the five pyramid layers ("relationships," "parental controls on each device," and "app settings") work anywhere. Talk to the adults where your child will be visiting about "Location," and consider buying Grandma a filtered router (seriously)!

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Create a Family Media Plan with help from The American Academy of Pediatrics or use these fantastic rules from a brilliant mom giving a smartphone to her son for the first time.

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Model healthy screen habits for your child. As the saying goes, "More is caught than taught."

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Admit when you’ve messed up. Kids appreciate honesty, and you will mess up! 

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While we are talking about it, kids will mess up, as well. Have grace for both yourself and your child. 

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Start now! It’s never too late to begin enforcing healthy habits. 

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