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Raising Responsible Digital Citizens: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Technology and Social Media

Raising Responsible Digital Citizens: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Technology and Social Media

Helping kids grow into well-rounded adults is among the most rewarding, important, and arduous challenges; it is a task made all the more Herculean due to the ubiquitous and ever-changing nature of digital devices and social media. Peck's School Psychologists, Dr. Lisa Pithers and Karen Wasserman, share strategies for promoting a prosocial use of social media at home.

Our children are the first generation to be raised under the developmental influence of social media—almost as if they have an additional set of “parents” that can undermine our own family rules and values! As trusted adults in our children’s lives, we are compelled to regularly consider not only how we can best frame, use, and model these heavily ingrained digital tools, but also how to use them in prosocial ways that promote connection, understanding, inclusion, and kindness.

Our goal is to amplify the very real, positive power our children have to promote connection and belonging (as opposed to discord) through these tools.

 

Evaluate Your Child's Social Media Usage

Parents often wonder: How much screen time is appropriate? When should children begin using social media? The answers depend on developmental stages, family values, and what children are exposed to online. To guide your decisions, consider these questions:

  • How much screen time does my child currently have, and does it shift during holidays or weekends?
  • Do I know what platforms they’re using, and why they find them appealing?
  • How much do I engage in discussions about their online behavior and experiences?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests children aged 2-5 should have no more than one hour of high-quality screen time per day. However, as children get older, the guidelines get decidedly blurrier.  While some recommend at most two hours of screen time above and beyond homework, most researchers do not concentrate on time restrictions but focus on the content and quality of the interaction.

 

Tips for Raising Safe and Responsible Digital Citizens

  • Know What They’re Doing: Stay informed about the platforms your children use, and have regular, open conversations about their content and interactions.
  • Treat Online Play Like a Playdate: Do you know who your child is talking to online? Are their digital “hangouts” safe and productive?
  • Build Healthy Habits, just as you would for other parenting scenarios: 
    • You can create a family media plan with consistent rules and enforce them for older kids. The AAP’s Family Media Plan is a good place to start for families to outline their media usage.
    • Ensure what is being watched is age-appropriate, engages your child’s imagination, and mirrors your family values. Consider watching along with your child!
    • Be prepared for inappropriate content that will pop up and some harsh comments from peers; be ready to discuss the realities of social media use and the damages that come from posts that others think cannot be traced back to them.
  • Daily Conversation: Stay current on what your child is doing on the screen, who they are talking to, and the amount of time spent on the device. This means a daily conversation about online behavior and experiences.
  • Partner with Your School: Align family and school expectations around online conduct to ensure consistency and foster accountability.

 

Teaching Peck’s Core Values in the Digital Space


At Peck, we emphasize that what students do online matters as much as their actions in person. Through classroom discussions and community guidelines, we teach students to:

  • Differentiate between creating meaningful content and passively consuming media.
  • Recognize that online communication lacks tone and body language, making misunderstandings more likely.
  • Use technology to connect with peers positively, deepening relationships and building bridges.

 

Resources for Families


Tools like the Online Youth Pledge by Enough is Enough and parent guides from Common Sense Media provide age-specific advice for fostering safe digital habits. 

Enough is Enough's age-based internet safety guidelines lists out specific guidelines age groups from two to eighteen years old.

These resources, combined with regular family discussions, can empower your child to navigate the digital world with confidence, empathy, and responsibility.

By working together, parents and schools can help children harness the potential of technology while instilling the values of safety, respect, and community. Let’s raise a generation of thoughtful, responsible digital citizens—one conversation at a time.


 

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