Tech Guidelines for Elementary Children

Establishing Tech Guidelines

As parents, you hold the power to establish effective guidelines for technology use at home. Involving your children in creating these boundaries fosters a sense of responsibility and investment in the rules. Transparent conversations about what is acceptable and what is not can help demystify the technology they encounter daily.

In our home, we use the Media Plan by the American Association for Pediatrics as a baseline. No account needed to get a custom PDF print-out for each member in your family.

Here’s a starting framework for tech guidelines you might consider together as a family:

1. Set Time Limits: Decide specific periods for tech use during the week. For instance, limit screen time to 30 minutes a day on weekdays. Grab an old school timer next time you drive by a thrift store, then teach your kids how to use one! #lostart

   
   

2. Content Monitoring: Use parental controls on devices to check what your child is accessing. This includes apps, websites, and games, ensuring they remain age-appropriate.

   
   

3. Encourage Open Dialogue: Make it a habit to talk about your child's online activities regularly. Encouraging them to share their experiences can build trust and open communication.

   
   

4. Model Good Behavior: Show your children how to handle technology responsibly by demonstrating good usage habits yourself. (Yes, YOU!)

   
   

Establishing some ground rules will empower your kids to navigate technology effectively. The sooner you implement these guidelines, the smoother the experience will be for everyone involved.