Parents

The parent is in charge

• Set rules and expectations for computer use at home.
• Expect that screens will be open where you can see them.
• Designate times and locations in the house for computer use.
• Require work to be done in an area where you can check in on your student’s progress.
• Create times when the device can only be used for school work and if, or when, it can be used for recreational activities.
• Check out Digizen's Family Agreement for ideas

Talk with your child

• About what they are doing online and have them show you what they do and where they go online.
• Ask them to show you how they use the computer for school work and for fun.
• Talk about social boundaries and sharing too much information online.
• Set expectations for appropriate use and the types of websites and social networks that are appropriate for use at home.

Communicate with the teacher

• If you are concerned if your child is accurately reporting what they need to use the computer for at home or about anything related to classroom activities.
• Keep a line of communication open where you can questions or concerns.
• Track your student’s progress through the parent portal.

Consider the “paper equivalent” in difficult computing situations

• How would you handle the off-task or inappropriate activity if it happened with pencil and paper instead of on a computer?
• What were my expectations around technology and computing, and do they mirror those expectations for respect and proper behavior at home?
• Often the solution for “digital problems” are the same as it was for a similar “analog problem” or on paper.

Determine consequences for inappropriate behavior

• Discuss inappropriate behavior.
• Hold your child accountable for poor decisions.
• Limit recreational computer and/or phone time.
• Have them turn over their devices or reset wireless passwords at home until inappropriate behaviors change.

Using Internet filters at home

• Teaching appropriate use is more important than filtering.
• The most important step you can take is establishing expectations around appropriate use on the web and help your child develop an internal filter.
• Search the resources below