What’s really happening in your child’s digital world?
Our blog is filled with resources to help you understand what’s really going on in your child’s life.
So spend time here—your kids deserve it.
Sign up for practical advice on kids & screens.
To search for a specific topic, input keywords here ➡️
Managing kids' screen time: Finding the right balance
As parents in today's digital world, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how much screen time is appropriate for our kids. We want them to be tech-savvy but not consumed by television, tablets, and smartphones. So what's the sweet spot?
Do any countries ban smartphones at school? Could the U.S. ban phones at school?
The UK is the latest country to ban smartphones at school.
Did you know there are other countries that have already banned cell phones at school?
France, Finland, China, Italy and Portugal have already decided mobile phones are disruptive and not conducive to learning at school.
Could the U.S. be next?
Teacher’s union says social media apps need to be reined in
The American Federation of Teachers, along with other organizations, issued a report warning that tech companies should increase safety and privacy for kids using social media.
Take Action: Write a letter to your school board or school administrators on banning cell phones at school
Now is a great time to ask your child’s school to change their policy on cell phones. Here is a template you can use to start a conversation on banning social media and/or cell phones at school to protect kids from the harms online during school hours.
Massachusetts considers banning cell phones at school
The state of Massachusetts is talking about banning cell phones at school.
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has started discussing options to help kids learn at school by taking away the distraction of cell phones. And they’re funding the idea!
Social media presents a profound risk of harm for kids
US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy continues his strong warnings against letting kids and young teens use social media. “We’re in the middle of a youth mental health crisis, and I’m concerned that social media is contributing to the harm that kids are experiencing,” he said.
This article will discuss what he said and add our thoughts on what’s still missing from the advisory report.
AI, Chatbots & ChatGPT: What parents and educators need to know (part 2)
AI technology (artificial intelligence) has become the center of conversation lately, specifically tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, Microsoft’s Bing and Snapchat’s AI chatbot. This article is part two in our series and identifies the harms to children and teens and how parents and educators can help.
AI, Chatbots & ChatGPT: What parents and educators need to know (part 1)
AI technology (artificial intelligence) has become the center of conversation lately, specifically tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, Microsoft’s Bing and Snapchat’s AI chatbot.
This article is part one in our series and describes ChatGPT, AI and other terms.
2023 Federal Legislation Proposals to Protect Kids Online
2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year for legislation to protect kids online. Here are the bills with bipartisan support that are gathering momentum.
Which social media app is safest for kids?
Parents, don’t you want to know which social media app is safest for kids?
My kid is bored without screens - what do I do?
Parents, how do you deal with complaining kids when you try to reduce screen time?
We’ve got a list of ideas that will keep kids busy and happy without their devices while they practice healthy limits and boundaries with screens.
Talking to kids about online safety on The Totally Preventable Podcast (Parts 1 & 2)
Lisa Honold, director of Center for Online Safety, was guest expert on keeping kids safe online on the Totally Preventable podcast with Greg Thompson and Polly Allen.
TikTok limits kids’ content consumption to 1 hour per day
TikTok has changed settings for kids so that the default time limit on the app will be one hour. Read more about what this means and how easy it is to change back.
Ideas for getting kids off their screens
Let’s push the EASY button by learning from other families how they’re getting themselves and their kids off their screens and sharing ideas on what’s working for you!
Introducing Technology Contracts to your Family
Help kids follow the rules and be intentional about screen time by setting up a Technology Contract, also known as a Media Contract.
Schools limit kids’ cell phones during the day
Are cell phones out of control at school?
Here are two schools with innovative solutions for limiting smartphones. What is your school doing to limit distractions?
How can we get social media platforms to take responsibility?
Grieving parents all over the world are asking how they can get social media companies to take some responsibility for the deaths of their children.
Is too much screen time linked to early puberty?
There’s a vicious cycle happening here. Kids are on their screens at night, with blue light stimulating their brains to wake up, they try to go to bed but are not tired, they get bored and get back on their screens, furthering the cycle of stimulation and poor sleep habits.