Children aged 13 to 18 use social media at least an hour every day, and that number has likely increased in the last few weeks as children switched to online learning because of COVID-19. But there are other ways they can use technology to grow and develop their personal and social skills. Many middle schools supply or request that their students use tablets and computers to improve learning in art, communication, engineering, science, religion, and math. Still, educators need parents’ help making sure the children use them for academic gain. 

How to Teach Your Child to Use Technology Responsibly

1. Monitor Social Media Use

Most social media apps, such as Instagram, have age restrictions, but the developers have no way to enforce those guidelines. That’s where parents come in. 

Talk to your children about the positive and negative ways to use social media, and set ground rules. For example, don’t allow them to use school equipment for social media use. No matter what, encourage them to always be kind to others, even online.

2. Sign Up for Productivity Apps or Lessons

Many free apps encourage learning outside of the classroom and can complement middle school learning. For example, Playground Physics allows you to track motion in relation to physics, while NASA Visualization Explorer enlightens users about space exploration. 

3. Help Them Be Creative

Parents often have experience using technology to create home videos for family sharing, writing reports, or communicating with colleagues. Spend an hour a week showing your child how to use your favorite creative programs. Create a video together, or use Microsoft Office to write a story together. Consider your child’s interests and find the software you can learn together for a family project. 

4. Balance Learning With Other Activities

With kids forced to spend even more time online, it’s important to balance that time between learning and play. Let them unwind with their favorite TV show or video game. Otherwise, they might get burnt out without other ways to stimulate their brains. 

Try to limit their overall time spent online to just a few hours. Get them involved in other activities, such as daily exercise, cooking, and chores around the house. These tasks will give their eyes a break from screen time while still keeping them focused mentally. 

If you want your child to make the most of their educational tools, including technology, enroll them at Hawaii Baptist Academy in Honolulu. Established in 1949, this private school combines Christian faith with a balanced academic and extracurricular education for children in elementary through high school. They are currently providing dozens of online learning videos for students, from coloring projects to physical fitness challenges. Call (808) 595-7585 to inquire about the admission process, or visit them online to learn more about their curriculum.