Finding Media Balance

Recently students in 5th & 6th grade have be talking about finding a balance in their digital habits. Technology is pervasive and there are a number of ways that technology can be amplified to foster comprehension, creativity, and connection. But it is essential to recognize when it is time to unplug from our devices and reconnect with our environment, be it the great outdoors or the people we share a home with. Of course this will look different for everyone and will certainly change with time, but by encouraging our students to find those moments of screen or digital-free time now, I hope helps them value those kinds of moments in their future.

Common Sense Media offers great family resources to help parents be informed while giving room for kids to navigate their digital lives. They suggest 5 tips to helping kids find balance: Create screen-free times and zones, use parent controls, have a clear set of family expectations, identify healthy behaviors, and engage together in watching, creating, and sharing.