It's that time of year again! New school supplies, new clothes, and preparing for a new year of learning. As a mom of two, I know the importance of being prepared to make the next school year a good one. At our home have been getting more organized and working not only on back-to-school essentials, but also on getting my kids' digital devices prepped for a new year.
So here are six back-to-school tips for digital parents that can help in starting things off right in our digitally connected world this year:
1. Clean Up Digital Clutter:
Starting off with a clean, well organized slate is a great way to feel fresh and not overwhelmed. On mobile devices, delete apps that are no longer being used. Create folders to organize certain types of apps together. If your kids are using a computer, this is a great time to clean off that desktop—get rid of old files, and organize things into folders. We created two new folders this year, one for each child to place their homework or files that they are working on in, to ensure that no one accidentally deletes something that doesn't belong to them.
2. Execute a Digital Device Contract:
Consider using a Digital Device Contract with your child. This is a great time to refresh what your children can and cannot do online. I've created an Internet Safety Contract you can easily print. Or make your own, with your own rules.
3. Help Others Be Good Digital Parents:
Our friends at FOSI have put together a program that parents can get for free! Check out the How to be a Good Digital Parent program. it will give you more insight and suggestions to make sure you don't miss anything this year.
4. Be An Excellent Role Model:
The best way for your kids to have digital success is to model the behavior you want your children to follow! No texting and driving. Post appropriately, and so on. It feels great to be a good example!
5. Use The Top Apps for Students:
There are so many apps that can be beneficial to your children and help the school year run smoother. We love the My Homework app, it makes organizing homework a breeze. We also love using the Kids Email app to help my children communicate with their teacher. Check out this list of Top 10 Back-to-School Apps for more apps that you may find helpful this year.
6. Ask Questions:
As you go through your child's devices and help them clean things up, if you notice apps that you are
not familiar with, don't be afraid to ask questions about how they are used. Have your children show you how they work. Children can teach us a lot about technology and open communication can help you find out how technology can be used for good or bad.
Jennifer McDonnow is the Administrative Assistant at KidsEmail.org. She is the content writer of the Kids Email Blog and helps manage their social media accounts. Being a mom of two, she works hard at providing content to parents in the hopes of helping then keep kids safe online.
