AoP Tech Parent March 2018

Tech News, Support, and Information for AoP Parents!

Taking Back Control

by Ms. Alissa DeVito, Associate Director of Educational Technology

Kids and parents alike are feeling the stronghold of technology addiction. Sometimes it's so hard to just put the phone down and walk away - even though we know we should! As parents, we strive to be digital role models for our kids. How can we expect them to have positive habits when we don't?! And it doesn't help when app designers know exactly how to keep us coming back for more.

So what's a parent to do? Try these four tips to take back control of your phone instead of letting it control you! Then empower your tweens and teens to do the same.

Take Social Media off Your Phone - Studies show that people are less dependent on checking social media when forced to use the web version rather than mobile. You'll realize just how much time you spent scrolling through! Too hard to get rid of them all? Consider keeping just one app instead of them all to start, then two weeks later evaluate if you really need that app too.
Turn Off Push Notifications - With the exception of text or call notifications, push notifications make clicking on our social media apps very tempting. You can customize your push notifications by going into your phone's settings.
Turn on Grayscale - The bright, flashy colors of phones trigger the rewards center of the brain. By turning your phone to Grayscale, it tricks your brain into remembering your phone is a tool. Check out the video below from Common Sense Media for steps! Then impress your kids with a magic trick!
Move Apps off the Home Screen - By moving apps into folders or a second/third page, the brain needs to take an extra second to process our desire to tap open an app. The less we see those apps, the less tempted we are!

Have a tip that works for your family? Share it with us on Twitter!

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Teacher Feature

Each month, AoP Tech features teachers and classrooms on our website. Check it out! Know a teacher you'd like to see featured? Reach out to us at techcoaches@archphila-oce.org

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Family Tech Tip of the Month: Togetherness for Healthy Media Use

The best way to keep digital screen time in check is to watch, listen, and play together! Not only will it give you as a parent insights into your child's preferences, it will open up a family conversation! Bonus: Kids are less likely to make poor online choices with a parent around!

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App of the Month: Articulation Station

Pronunciation, articulation, and understanding how letter sounds form words are important communication skills. In these exercises, games, and stories that focus on one letter sound at a time, kids can learn to identify their own speech goals. Parents and teachers can track kids' progress, too. (iOS, Free with In App Purchases)