Technology & Digital Wellness

Talk to your children regularly about Internet use and access. Clearly explain your expectations for of them for appropriate use and behavior. The following resources may help.

• CommonSenseMedia.org: Family Media Agreement - K-5
• SchoolFamily.com: Internet Safety Contract
• SafeKids.com: Family Contract for Online Safety
• NetSmartz.com: Safety Pledges by Grade Level

Learning how to manage multiple sources of information and potential distractions is a critical life skill, one best learned before heading off to college or the workplace. Help your student follow these general rules.

• Balance sedentary screen time with physical activity.
• Break up screen time into small increments.
• Use technology creatively, not passively. Example: making a video vs. watching a cartoon

Learn more:

• KidsHealth Magazine: Healthy Habits for TV, Video Games, and the Internet
• Parents Magazine Article: Set Limits on Screen Time

It is important for students to understand that information that is on the Internet never really goes away. These resources can help you demonstrate that fact and teach your children how to protect their privacy online.

• Common Sense Media: Online Privacy: What it is and How to Get It
• Google Alerts - If you set up a Google Alert for members of your family, you will receive emails with information that appears about you online.
• How Stuff Works: Top Ten Things You Should Not Share On Social Networks
• The WayBack Machine - See what the web looked like at any time since it began. Deleting content from the web doesn't really make it go away.

There are several tools to help you monitor your student's activity online, help you set age-appropriate rules and promote conversations about safe online behaviors.

Free

• Google Safe Search Parent Control Internet Filter

Software for Purchase

• DNS Parental Control Solutions
• Kids Watch Parental Control Software

Apps for Purchase

• Our Pact Parental Control and Screen Time App
• Family Time Parental Control Screen Time App

Learn More

• Hongkiat: Top 5 Mobile Apps To Keep Your Kids Safe

Twenty-seven percent of 12- to 17-year olds choose to game with people they first meet online. Be sure to monitor your student's gaming habits. Here are 10 handy tips from NetSmartz Kidz.

1. View game ratings and prescreen games online before purchasing.
2. Check to be sure the console comes with parental control features.
3. Set parental controls before children start playing. (Consult the user guide.)
4. Set up consoles in a common area for easy supervision.
5. Decide if you want to use the console’s Internet capabilities.
6. Set gaming rules with your children, such as how long and with whom they can play.
7. Choose gender-neutral, appropriate screen names.
8. Decide if you want to allow voice chat. If you do, use voice masking features.
9. Teach your children not to reveal personal information through voice chat.
10. Encourage your children not to respond to cyberbullies and to block unwanted contact.

Learn More

• NetSmartz.org
• What Video Games Have to Teach Us about Learning and Literacy, James Paul Gee's 36 Principles: Gaming is not all bad!

Student's social network options and preferences are continually evolving and changing.

Social Networking Tips from Common Sense Media Group

The National Council on Cyberbullying provides the following recommendations.

• Keep your password safe! You can tell your parents about it, but not anyone else — not even your best friend!
• Don’t share secrets, photos, or anything online that might be embarrassing if someone found out (like your entire school!).
• Set up email and instant messenger accounts with your parents. Make sure not to put your name, age, address, or phone number in your profile or screen name.
• Don't send messages when you're angry. Wait until you cool off so you don't say something you'll regret. Remember Scruff’s steps for getting along.
• Let bullies know that cyberbullying is not ok. If your friends are cyberbullying, tell them that it’s not funny and that cyberbullying hurts people.
• Be as nice online as you are offline.

If a cyberbully is bothering you:

• Don't respond to emails or messages that are mean to you or your friends.
• Don’t forward emails or messages that are mean or that spread rumors about other people.
• Don't open emails or messages from someone you know is a bully.
• Block anyone who acts like a cyberbully.
• Save or print all messages from bullies.
• Show the messages to an adult you trust—like a parent or a teacher—and ask for help. If the first adult you tell doesn't help you, keep telling until someone does.

Learn more:

• Cyberbullying Research Center
• National Council on Cyberbullying Resources

Families who need free or low-cost household internet service can contact Comcast (call 855-846-8376) and CenturyLink (call 888-833-9522). Wayzata Public Schools does not endorse either of these services.