Creating healthy technology habits for families

Technology is a constantly adapting and growing form of communication, education, and creation. Children and families spend hours on screens every day.

How can parents monitor their child’s technology usage while ensuring safety, learning, and development? Is technology all evil, or can we foster positive human-screen interaction?

Illinois Extension Educator Tessa Hobbs-Curley and Extension Extra Help Erin Curley share that the online world offers opportunities to connect with people across the world, advocate for personal beliefs or values, learn new skills, create a business on a virtual platform, etc.

But cyberbullying, cyberstalking, violence, physical issues, and more can stem from using devices. Tessa and Erin say it is important to teach your child ways to utilize screens with safe and healthful behaviors:

Modeling healthy technology habits

Model healthy technology habits by limiting personal screen time, encouraging creative usage, and demonstrating how online resources can support learning and growth.

Children are more likely to embrace healthy habits when they observe adults practicing balance.

Nurturing real-world relationships and experiences

Nurture your child’s real-world relationships and experiences. To minimize your child’s screen time, encourage sleepovers, outside play, school or community involvement, or create family activities and new traditions.

Children often grab their phone or tablet when they feel bored. Providing engaging alternatives can reduce reliance on devices while strengthening relationships and new experiences.

Prioritize your child’s safety

Prioritize your child’s safety by supporting open communication about their emotional and mental well-being and online experiences.

Discuss school, friendships, extracurricular activities, and any concerns with your child. Monitor grades, teachers’ complaints, invitations from friends, etc.

Establish age-appropriate screen time limits, determine which apps and websites are appropriate, stop device use before bedtime, and create a family technology agreement that includes regular reviews of online activity.

Encouraging conversation

Encourage conversation about the effects of screens and social media to support reflection and critical thinking. Ask questions such as:

• How do you feel after using this app?
• What did you learn today?
• Why do you think this person shared this post?
• Does this picture seem realistic or edited?
• What message is this content sending? 

The goal is not to eliminate technology from our lives but to teach children how to use it wisely, safely, and responsibly so they can thrive both online and offline.

Cheri Burcham, University of Illinois Extension

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Cheri Burcham is responsible for family life programming in the counties of Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, Shelby and other parts of east central Illinois as needed. Cheri’s emphasis is on healthy lifestyles throughout the life span which include family relationships, communication, caregiving, stress management and human development including early childhood and healthy aging. Her passion is to help people to be their best selves and to promote a healthier, independent older population.

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