Creating a Technology Plan for Your Family

For most people, technology is an important part of daily life. While it can be helpful in many ways, there are also times when it can be harmful, especially for children and teens.

As a parent, you want to make sure your child is staying safe online and making healthy choices about the time they spend on electronic devices. Looking for tips on how to manage technology use? Try the steps below to get started.

Define “healthy” technology use for your family.

• Set limits on how long your child can use electronic devices. These limits will vary based on your child’s age. Make sure to leave enough time for things like sports, reading, and other hobbies.
• Don’t sleep in the same room as your devices. Charge them in a separate area of your home so you won’t be tempted to pick them up and start scrolling after you get in bed.

Talk about the importance of privacy and security.

• Think about your digital footprint. It’s important for children and teens to realize that their online actions are public and permanent – even if they don’t think of them that way. This is especially important for teens to keep in mind when applying for college or a job. Potential employers and college admissions departments often perform online searches on applicants. If they find offensive content, they may decide not to accept their application.
• Understand what’s okay to share – and what is not. When kids interact with others online, they may want to share details about themselves. That’s often okay, but it is important to understand that some personal information can be used in identity theft and other online scams. Let your child know that while it’s fine to share some parts of their life on social media (like their favorite music, their favorite food, or their pet’s name), it is never a good idea to share your home address, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, or credit card information.
• Know how to manage your digital security. Be sure to set strong passwords for your online accounts, and remind your child not to share their passwords with friends. Parents can also manage their child’s digital access by setting parental controls. Parentals controls are digital tools that will allow you to prevent your child from accessing certain websites, apps, or functions. Click here for information on how to set parental controls on popular platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Google, and Xbox.

Be a good digital consumer.

• Talk to your kids about the social media platforms they use. Ask them to show you their favorite videos, memes, and content creators so you can learn more about what they’re watching.
• Encourage media literacy. Teach your child to ask questions about the information they see online – and learn how to tell if a photo or video has been altered. Not sure where to start? Click here for some helpful guidelines.

Have health questions or concerns? Call the 24-Hour Nurse Line.

A nurse can answer your questions or help you decide what to do about your or your child’s health needs. There is no cost to you for this Parkland Community Health Plan service. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

STAR Medicaid: 1-888-667-7890
CHIP/CHIP Perinate: 1-800-357-3162
TTY: 1-800-735-2989