The Counselors' Connection

Technology is everywhere in kids’ lives — from tablets and phones to school computers. For many families, screens can be helpful tools for learning, fun, and staying connected. But questions about how much screen time is healthy — especially for our students - is very common. Recent research from the Pew Research Center helps us understand how parents are managing screen time, the benefits of setting clear boundaries, and how families can make thoughtful decisions about technology use.

There are many benefits of setting healthy technology usage within our children. Some of them include getting better sleep. Screens before bed have been proven to make it more difficult for kids to fal asleep, making for tougher and less productive mornings. Additionally, children who spend less time on devices end up getting more movement, play, and physical activity, which is linked to higher self-esteem. Also, students getting too much screen time may be more distracted at school, doing homework, and while reading. Finally, limited screen time encourages conversation, shared activities, and greater family and peer connection. While these are very clear benefits, it is helpful to have a more clear guide on how to set these boundaries.

Based on these findings — and what many parents find helpful — here are practical suggestions:

Set clear expectations.
Decide together when screens are okay (after homework? weekends?) and when they’re not (mealtime, before bed).

Focus on content.
Talk about what your child is doing on the screen and why. Encourage creativity, learning, and positive interaction.

Model balanced use.
Children notice how adults use technology. Show healthy habits — like device-free family time.

Keep screens in shared spaces.
Placing devices in a common room (not bedrooms) helps you stay aware of what your child is accessing.

Ask questions, not lectures.
Curious conversations build trust (“What games do you like and why?”) instead of battle (“Turn that off!”).

Technology is here to stay, and screens can be powerful tools for learning and connection when used thoughtfully. Pew Research shows that most parents are actively managing screen time and focusing on what matters most: quality, balance, and connection.

To read more about this, please visit the Pew Research Center

With technology being regular part of our children’s lives — from school assignments, to games and connecting with family, it’s important to learn how to navigate devices safely. Experts from organizations like UNICEF and Internet Matters emphasize that online safety for elementary-aged children starts with supervision, conversation, and clear boundaries.

Here are the most important takeaways for families:

1. Stay Involved in Your Child’s Digital World. It’s important to know what your child spends their digital time on. Staying up to date on apps, websites, shows, and games that your child enjoys is imperative in knowing what they are interested in.

2. Keep Communication Open. Encourage your child to regularly talk about their online experiences with you. It is helpful to create a safe space to be a listener if something doesn’t feel right.

3. Teach “Private vs. Public” Information. Remind your child to not share any private information online, and explain the difference between the two.

4. Use Safety Tools. Most apps have settings that make their content kid friendly. Always encourage your child to block or report something they think is unsafe.

5. Teach Kindness and Digital Citizenship. Remind kids that we all have a digital footprint, and in communicating with others it’s imperative to follow the same rules online as you do in real life, treating others as you would like to be treated.

Parenting Tip:

• Create a “tech plan” for screen-free times (meals, bedtime).
• Keep devices in common areas, not bedrooms.
• Talk openly about safe online behavior (never share personal info).
• Monitor your child’s online use to make sure they are talking to others respectfully and safely.
• Tie screen time to responsibilities (homework, chores, reading first).

*Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Students learn about digital citizenship as part of the SEL curriculum. While this is an important component, it is equally important to emphasize the need for ongoing conversations in every environment about kindness online, identifying safe versus unsafe messages, and setting clear rules and boundaries for online communication.