iPad 101

Digital health and wellness is an important parent-child discussion to revisit frequently. The following suggestions are drawn from a wide variety of professional sources that may aid you in effectively guiding your student’s use of the iPad and other technology devices.

Outside of school, parents bear responsibility for the same guidance of Internet use as they exercise with information sources such as cell phones, television or movies. It is the sole responsibility of the parent(s) to supervise the student’s use of the technology device when off school grounds or outside of school.

• Our iPads have access to the internet only when connected to wifi. The iPad is filtered at school for appropriate content in compliance with the Child Online Protection Act.

• If parents provide Internet access outside of school, they are responsible for monitoring that access.

• Students may also have unrestricted access on personal devices such as home computers and cell phones.

• Parents may consider filtering and blocking inappropriate content on wireless home networks.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests parking all technology devices, from cell phones to iPads, in a common family room overnight to discourage late night, unmonitored use and sleep disruption.

In 2015, the American Academy of Pediatrics revised their screen time recommendations and now encourage parents to focus on the content on the screen itself. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting recreational/entertainment screen time to one to two hours per day for children over age two. There is no screen time limit for educational content and use. More tips from the AAP about children and media.

Regularly share your expectations with your child about accessing only appropriate sites and content. It is important to maintain regular, open dialog about Internet use and access. Discuss your expectations for appropriate use and behavior.

These are checklists that parents can use to guide conversations with their students about media use. They are designed to help parents establish guidelines and expectations around media use and behavior that are right for their family.

An example of a family media agreement from Common Sense Media

Technology can be a great tool and resource, but also has the potential to be a distractor. Help your student learn to focus on completing tasks or assignments first before spending time on games, shopping, and social networking.

Teaching today’s teens how to manage multiple sources of information and distractions is a critical life skill, one best learned before heading off to college or the workplace.

More resources on technology for parents

• Model appropriate use and balance of technology in your own life.

• Nothing online is totally private, even if it is intended to be. Once digitized, it can be saved, sent and reposted.

• A good rule of thumb: If you don’t want a parent, teacher, principal, future employer or college admissions office to know something, don’t post it online. Ask yourself “Would Grandma approve?”

• Use caution when posting personal information like name, address, phone number or location online. Discuss with your child how easy it is for someone to find you or your personal information based on what you post online. Regularly check your privacy settings on all commonly used sites and networks.

• Cyberbullying is a growing concern. It takes many forms, such as forwarding a private email, photo, or text message for others to see, starting a rumor, or sending a threatening or aggressive message, often anonymously. Talk with your student about not partaking in this behavior and reporting incidents of cyberbullying to an adult.