Awareness

Learn about the issues families face when using technology

The questions everyone is asking are answered here.

You want to know how to manage parenting in this digital world. You have probably considered these three questions many times but the answers are not as simple as a single number or an easy app. 

What age?

What age should I give my child a smart phone?

This question is probably the most frequently asked one around. The answer is: it depends. The "right age" for receiving a device will depend on the maturity of the child plus the training you've provided but we recommend waiting until your child is a teen. The power of a smart phone to expose our children to all the benefits and tools available is rivaled by the power it has to expose them to all the dangers. Cyberbullying, pornography, screen addictions, and more are just a swipe away. We suggest that if you're not ready to have discussions with your child about these issues, your child may not be ready to use a smart phone.

How much?

How much screen time should I allow each day?

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has released numbers for the recommended screen time limits, it's important to think about not just the amount of minutes spent but how those minutes are spent . Are we using devices to distract us from more important interactions or to avoid certain emotions? How much outdoor, active, or creative time is being replaced by screen use? What is screen time affecting? Face-to-face interactions and amount of sleep are usually the first casualties of screen over-use so consider making those a priority and adding media time sparingly.

Filters?

What are the best filters to use on my family's devices?

You want to protect your family from inappropriate and dangerous content but placing filters and monitoring apps on your family's devices isn't enough to protect them from all that's out there. No parental control is foolproof. We suggest reviewing a list of filtering options and choosing one that you can put in place but also having regular conversations with your family about what ideas you value and what content and apps will help support those goals. Have frequent discussions on how they can be responsible digital citizens. One of the best opportunities to talk is during regularly scheduled screen-free family dinnertime!

Understanding the Dangers

Learn more about some of the most challenging topics in screen use:
Pornography: See how porn affects the brain and learn how to respond to exposure

Pornography

See how porn affects the brain and learn how to respond to exposure

See how porn affects the brain and learn how to respond to exposure
Social Media: See how the overuse of social media can harm kids & teens
Cyberbullying: Learn how cyberbullying is affecting kids and how to prevent it
Video Gaming: Find out how video game playing can be harmful
Anxiety & Depression: See how anxiety & depression are on the rise in teens
Addiction: Find out how technology is changing your brain

Facts

“The thought process was, ‘How do we consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible?'”
Sean Parker, 
Co-founder of Facebook
“Among teenagers, average screen time was more than 6.5 hours a day and almost nine hours with media overall. Those totals don't count educational uses in school or for homework.”
James Steyer, 
Common Sense Media
“Teens who spend more time on screen activities are more likely to be unhappy and those who spend more time on non-screen activities are more likely to be happy.” 
Jean Twenge, 
Author of iGen
“...sexting is not rare. Surveys have shown that approximately 12% to 16% of youths aged 10 to 19 years have sent a sexual photo to someone else.”
Megan A. Moreno, MD,
JAMA Pediatrics Patient Page

See the top 3 articles & videos we've recently discovered we think you won't want to miss. Click on the links below.

Our Top 3

IN THE NEWS...

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Watch the talks that are changing the way people use technology.

DID

YOU
KNOW?

Keeping screens out of a child's bedroom can help prevent serious problems. .

Find out more
Remember the 4 S's: Sleep Disruption, Social Isolation, Salacious Content, Sexual Predators

The Cycle of Vulnerability

Human beings by nature try to move towards comfort. The trick is learning how to deal with the discomfort we experience throughout life in an emotionally healthy way. Unfortunately, the current tendencies towards dealing with "Big Feelings" by using screens to distract or numb are creating BIG problems. 


Kids and adults can find themselves locked in a cycle that is creating vulnerability rather than building strength, durability, and resilience.


Learn more about how we get stuck in the Cycle of Vulnerability and what we can do to break out.

The Cycle of Vulnerability

Next: find the tools you need to make changes today.

Whether you've already given your child a device to use or you're considering the right time to let your child start practicing, you need resources to help your family establish and maintain tech boundaries and encourage responsible screen use. Find out more about tools you can use to create healthy screen habits now.
Click here for TOOLS