The start of the new school year is upon us, marking a transition that is both exciting and challenging for our children. While summer provides ample opportunities for fun and leisure, the return to school brings with it added responsibilities necessary for their future success.

As a parent, your role is crucial in fostering your child’s success, and there are several technology strategies that you can implement to aid them. In today’s digital era, technology permeates every aspect of our children’s education and lives. Hence, it is beneficial to familiarize ourselves with the technology our children use regularly and establish guidelines to keep them focused.

In this post, we share some of our favorite tech tips to prepare your children for a fruitful school year.

1. Safeguard Their Devices: If your children use a smartphone, tablet, or computer, they are likely to access the Internet and visit a multitude of websites. Some of these sites may lack proper security measures, opening the door to potential malware or virus threats. These issues can impair device performance and even compromise personal information. Therefore, installing an antivirus or security software is crucial. Although most web browsers offer free security features, you can opt for advanced security plans for added protection. Additionally, consider restricting access to inappropriate or insecure websites and apps on your children’s devices.
2. Establish Screen Time Rules: Experts recommend limiting screen time to no more than two hours per day for children between the ages of 5 and 17. Excessive screen use can lead to mental and physical health issues that could impede your child’s development. Despite this advice, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that children ages 8 to 12 in the U.S. spend an average of four to six hours a day on screens, and teenagers up to nine hours. As parents, it’s our responsibility to set and enforce screen time limits. Implement ground rules like setting screen time allowances for personal use and restricting screen use to communal areas of the house, facilitating your ability to monitor their activities. Remember, you must follow similar guidelines to ensure fairness.
3. Back Up Data and Update Software: Your child’s laptop or personal computer likely contains valuable data and documents. Regularly backing up this data can safeguard it against potential hardware issues. Cloud storage services offer a handy solution, enabling access to homework and other vital files from different devices. Lastly, ensure that the software on their devices is up-to-date. Software updates often contain crucial security enhancements and performance improvements, contributing to a safer and faster user experience.

With the start of the school year fast approaching, your children are likely brimming with anticipation. Make this academic year memorable and productive by adopting these tech tips, setting them on a successful path.