Are you being intentional with your children's time spent on the internet? Whether we admit it or not, technology is impacting our families in both positive and negative ways. Let’s focus on some practical tools to make your life easier while you're raising children in a digital age.
Family WiFi Router
Here are three newer options that are transforming home technology protection. With these options parents can filter content, limit screen time, and monitor usage.
Accountability Software
Covenant Eyes will allow you to flag certain content on multiple devices and when inappropriate content is used you will be notified. Video
Now, cellphones are a different animal!
It's extremely difficult for parents to manage the cell phone usage of their children. Studies show that 88% of American teens ages 13 to 17 have or have access to a mobile phone of some kind, and a majority of teens (73%) have smartphones.
I don't have good data on when to give children cell phones, but through my experience I don't think it's a wise decision to give unlimited internet to elementary students. So, if your elementary student has a SMART phone you may consider limiting Safari, which you can do in the settings.
The most brilliant thing I have seen parents do with the use of cellphones is create a cell phone contract between parents and child. This may seem strange, but it's imperative to build a trusting relationship with your child when it comes to their phone. Here is an example of an appropriate contract. Please take a look and consider it!
When your child graduates from high school he/she will have access to anything they want. As you consider that, I think it is wise to create a timeline of expectations that work backwards from 18 years old. Our end-goal should be creating responsible young adults. I would suggest creating different contracts as your child gets older, allowing for more freedom and creating less restriction as they mature. Pick certain milestones and create goals to help achieve each milestone..
Just a thought!
6th & 7th grade: basic cell phone with no internet (They still exist!) Don’t turn on the data plan.
- Create a contract with heavy restrictions. The primary purpose of the phone now is to communicate with mom and dad as students become more involved in extracurricular and social activities. Your service provider can walk you through steps to monitor messages.
8th-10th grade: Turn on data plan but limit the usage of Safari utilizing accountability software.
- Create a contract creating a little more freedom but still having control. Students may be texting and communicating more with friends now. Your service provider can walk you through ways to monitor student messages, but it’s important to know about apps and other ways that students communicate, such as direct messaging through apps. The only way to check these is to know your students’ passwords. OCA’s fall parenting workshops on technology target these types of tips.
11th-12th grade: If your student has proven trustworthy with a phone up to this point, you can provide a little more freedom. A good phrase to guide you is “trust but verify.” You trust the student has developed good habits, but you still do occasional checks to verify continued good choices. Keep a contract, but it can reflect these updates in monitoring and freedom.
This is just a rough timeline using the knowledge of my experiences working with parents and teens. This is not a plan that will fit all families, and you will need to decide what is best for you. My desire is to provide you with practical tips for raising teens in this technological age.
At OCA we are committed to assisting you in raising children that honor God, themselves, and others by learning to become good digital citizens.
Technology is frighteningly amazing!
