Establish "Device-Free Zones" (like the dinner table) and "Device-Free Times". Research shows screens blue light interferes with sleep cycles. Charge all student devices in a common room (kitchen/living room) overnight, never by the bedside.
Family Tech Planners (Ages 2-13+)
Keep devices in shared family spaces (like the living room), especially overnight or for younger children. Check privacy settings together.
Common Sense Media Reviews – Look up any app or game here to see if it is age-appropriate.
Remind your child: "If you wouldn't say it to their face, don't type it." Teach them that the internet never forgets.
ConnectSafely Parent Guides – Guides on Instagram, TikTok, Roblox, and more.
What You Need to Know:
It's a Tool, Not a Friend: AI can help brainstorm ideas, but it doesn't have feelings.
It Can Be Wrong: AI sometimes "hallucinates" (makes things up). Teach kids to fact-check.
Cheating vs. Using: Discuss when it is okay to use AI (brainstorming) and when it is not (writing an essay for you).
Resources to Explore:
Maine DOE AI Guidance (See how Maine schools are approaching this).
For Grades K-4:
Play 'Interland' (Be Internet Awesome) – An excellent game by Google that teaches kids how to spot scams and be kind online.
PBS KIDS CyberChase – Math and logic puzzles.
For Grades 5-8:
Digital Compass – A 'choose your own adventure' game about the consequences of digital choices.
Social Media Test Drive – A simulator that lets kids practice using social media safely before they get a real account.
Use built-in settings collaboratively: limit notifications, turn off auto-play, and set device turn-off times.
iOS: Use Screen Time and Family Sharing for remote management.
Android: Use Google Family Link and Digital Well-being settings.
Focus Friends App: A cozy, gamified timer (by Hank Green) that encourages focus sessions by rewarding the user's "Bean Friend." Great for students with ADHD/concentration issues. Download: iOS App Store | Google Play
Focus on Prioritizing Key Activities: Shift the discussion from reducing screen time to prioritizing time for sleep, family time, and outdoor activities. Help identify media "attention hooks" that interfere. Learn More about Healthy Habits
AAP's 5 C's of Media Guidance: A comprehensive framework from the American Academy of Pediatrics. View 5 C's Framework
Provides family tips for Grades 6-12 and a great resource for content ratings. Go to Common Sense
HealthyChildren.org: Trusted source for pediatric advice on media and making a Family Media Plan. Create a Family Media Plan or use Common Sense Media's Family Tech Planner
Self-Perception & Social Comparison: Discuss how viewing others' curated online lives affects their own self-esteem. Encourage them to keep constructive activities and let go of unhelpful content. Social Media & Mental Health
Recognizing Unrealistic Standards: Explicitly address unrealistic beauty, lifestyle, or social standards often found in media, linking them to self-worth and body image. Media, Body Image, & Self-Esteem
Conflict, Conduct, & Cyberbullying: Discuss appropriate digital conduct (digital footprint). Establish rules for handling conflict and negative peer interactions, and when/how to ask for help. Cyberbullying Guidance
Emotional Regulation: Help them notice emotional responses (e.g., anxiety or heart rate increase when a phone vibrates) and avoid using screens as a quick emotional fix. Tips for Managing Emotions
Check out TeenToks: TeenToks gives teens support from the people they listen to the most: other teens. Whatever the challenge—anxiety, peer pressure, negative thoughts, body image and more—we've got you covered.
Communication & Discussion: Practice open-minded discussion. Ask questions rather than lecture and focus on collaborative problem-solving. Use a Family Tech Planner
Privacy, Safety, & Deception: Review privacy settings and discuss information sharing. Share scam experiences and identify hoaxes (e.g., poor grammar, suspicious logos). Tips on Scams & Safety
Tech Business Model Awareness: Research how platforms make money (selling ads/data). Read privacy policies collaboratively and learn data-sharing limitation strategies. How Tech Companies Use Your Data
Content Quality & Verification: Identify problematic content, watching for violence or poor role models. Discuss the difference between news, opinion, and advertising.