Parents’ top tips for managing their kids’ device use

Have you ever wondered how other parents manage their kids’ device use?

As part of a survey for our Cyber Savvy Project, The Kids researchers asked a group of parents for their top tips regarding their child's use of devices.  

Here is our list of favourites provided by parents and why we like them:

1.    Study desks are setup in the dining room, with screens facing the room

“This is really important,” The Kids cyber safety expert Professor Donna Cross says. “Children should only use devices in common areas where parents can supervise, monitor and support what their kids are doing.”

2.    No devices in the bedroom or bathroom

“Any device that can be connected to the Internet should only be used by children and young people in common areas. This includes phones, iPads, computers and even gaming consoles.

“Children can easily make contact with people they don’t know, see inappropriate content or over-share information about themselves online. Keeping their use of these devices where you can see them means you can monitor and support their safer use. It also means that you are available and able to notice and support them if they do accidentally stumble across something that is upsetting.”

3.    Phones in a ‘basket’ during social gatherings

“Digital technology can have enormous educational and social benefits when used safely, however we still need to ensure our kids (and ourselves as significant role models in our children’s lives) are having face to face conversations and developing real world connections,” Professor Cross says.

4.    No devices at dining table during meal times

“This is positive advice for parents too. We do everything on our phones these days, from writing emails to paying bills, but it’s important to take stock occasionally and make sure we are modeling positive technology use behaviour for our kids. Meal time is an important time for families to connect and talk.”

5.    Hand in all devices at 9pm and turn WiFi off

“It is a challenge for parents to ensure our kids are not responding to or generally accessing their devices when they should be sleeping. Sleep is incredibly important for a child’s development and devices can disrupt this.”

6.    Time limit on device use

“Activities some children engage in with their internet connected devices can be quite addictive, such as computer games and social media. These games for example, are designed to keep children and young people engaged and playing as long as possible. Work with your children to agree to a time limit before they begin using a device to reduce possible conflict when you ask them to stop playing and join in other family activities.”  

7.    No technology day for the whole family 

“Agreeing as a whole family to not use technology for a set day or a set amount of time together each week may be hard initially, but it is not only a great distraction from technology but helps families reconnect", Professor Cross says. “Organise a picnic or something fun with the whole family.

---

Read the full results of the survey.

Read more about our cyber safety research.