Denton ISD is committed to helping students develop the skills they need to use technology wisely, safely, and purposefully. We invite families to join us in encouraging healthy, thoughtful, and balanced digital habits — supporting our students’ success today and into the future.
Guide your child in developing a healthy relationship with technology by setting clear boundaries and keeping open communication. By staying involved and leading by example, you can help them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Establish Expectations: Work together to create a family plan about media use, balancing screen time with other activities.
Establish Screen-Free Times and Zones: Designate areas like the dinner table and times such as during homework or before bed as screen-free to encourage family interaction and better focus.
Have regular conversations about media use: Ask your child about their favorite apps, any worries they have, and share your own experiences to build trust.
Set a Good Example: Demonstrate healthy digital habits yourself. Show the importance of balancing screen time by engaging in offline activities and being mindful of your own media use.
Use Parental Controls Wisely: Utilize parental controls to block inappropriate content and set time limits, but also educate your child on the reasons behind these restrictions to promote understanding.
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Internet Matters offers expert advice, step-by-step guides, and practical resources to help parents keep their kids safe online. You can sort by age, device, and situation to find the right tools, from setting up parental controls to handling tricky topics like cyberbullying. It’s a great place to get simple, clear tips for raising smart and safe digital users.
HealthyChildren.org is the only parenting website backed by 67,000 pediatricians committed to the physical, mental and social health and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Here, you'll find evidence-based information from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help guide you on your parenting journey. Whether you're looking for general information on child health or for more specific parenting guidance, you've come to the right place
Quality Over Quantity – The focus should be on the type of content being consumed rather than just limiting screen time.
Encouraging Educational & Age-Appropriate Content – Selecting positive, educational, and developmentally appropriate media is essential.
Active Parental Involvement – Parents play a crucial role in co-viewing content, discussing media choices, and setting healthy boundaries.
Promoting Digital Well-being & Healthy Screen Habits – A balanced approach includes taking breaks, prioritizing offline activities, and fostering critical thinking about media.
Awareness of Mental & Physical Health Impacts – Excessive screen time can affect sleep and mental well-being, making it important to establish healthy limits.
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychologiceal Associaition emphasize the importance of mindful media consumption for children and teens. They share several key principles that promote healthy digital habits.
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Common Sense Media published the following article titled “How Much Screen Time is OK for My Kids?” which emphasizes how quality of media use is more important than setting a screen time limit.
Common Sense Media also provides guidance on assessing the quality of a child’s digital media use in “Are Some Types of Screen Time Better Than Others?”.
Healthychildren.org provides guidance on how caregivers can support healthy media habits in the article “Beyond Screen Time: Help Your Kids Build Healthy Media Use Habits”.
Healthychildren.org recommends creating a Family Media Plan to facilitate discussion around safe and practical media use that works for a family’s specific needs.
Common Sense Education provides tips, discussion prompts, and activities for families to learn about digital citizenship together.
The American Psychological Association recently released a health advisory on adolescent social media use. The advisory explains that social media use is not inherently harmful or beneficial, and offers a list of ten recommendations for adolescent engagement with social media.
If there is anything we missed or you have a question, please email digitallearning@dentonisd.org.
