Family digital safety tips that you can count on

With access to devices and online content comes responsibility. Here are some tips so you and your family can find a healthy balance between digital and real life.

Healthy tech-use tips

5 minute read

Our devices are our gateway to information, entertainment, connection, inspiration. But how much is too much time on the screen? And, for parents and guardians, how do you manage overuse and keep your little ones safe online? We’ve put together some practical safety tips to help you create a healthy balance between digital and real-world experiences.

Set clear boundaries from the start

First things first. The rules of engagement around what acceptable screen time means need to be established between parents and kids. This could be agreeing on when and how long devices can be used each day (taking their age into consideration), and when time away from screens is necessary, for example, during mealtimes and chores, at bedtime, and when the family is enjoying quality time together.

Take an active role in what your kids see and do online

Create a safe space where anyone in the family can feel comfortable discussing the content that they see online. Encourage your family members to share their experiences and concerns. As a parent it is important to take an active interest in keeping your child’s experience of the web safe and incident-free.

Unfortunately, Internet trolls and cyberbullies are a reality and some content shared online can be overwhelming for young, vulnerable minds. Check in with your children regularly and have honest conversations if you notice any changed behaviour or moods. Keep up to date with tech trends as much as you can so you can help your kids when they need advice.

Install monitoring tools

Have an open approach and tell your children that you will be monitoring their online activity at times – not as a way to censor them or spoil their fun, but to make sure that they are safe and having healthy interactions online. By installing parental controls and monitoring software as an additional support, you’ll also have peace of mind.

Prioritise quality over quantity

This is the tricky part. How do you encourage your children to use their smart devices responsibly for genuine connection, learning and exploration, rather than mindless scrolling for hours? The first step is to practise what you preach and exhibit the behaviours of responsible screen time that you expect of your children.

Another tip is to align their digital experiences with what they enjoy doing anyway. Does your child enjoy listening to stories more than reading them? Find a fun audiobook they can listen to on their smartphone. Are they interested in languages? How about expanding their skills on Duolingo? After all, you know your kids better than anyone and are in the best position to guide what they consume online.

Technology is evolving all the time which means as a parent, you need to keep up! Remember, kids ‘download’ everything they see, so it’s important to lead by example. You can model healthy tech use behaviour, and show your children how to enjoy the benefits of technology and a smart home without compromising their safety.