“Be a digital Role Model. Let me repeat that one: “Be a digital role model.” That means putting down your smartphone, tablet or laptop and looking into your child’s eyes and listening. I mean really listening.” 

Mrs. Giron says: This is something that I struggle with daily at home. I try to remind myself that my two little ones deserve my attention more than anyone else.

This tip is fromthe Family Online Safety Institute:

"Setting up a new Device. After deciding to give a child access to a tablet, parents should take some time to childproof these devices. Limits are important, especially for young kids. If a child is not ready for an R rated movie, they are not ready for unlimited access to the World Wide Web. ”

Mrs Giron says: If a child is not ready for an R rated movie, they are not ready for unlimited access to the World Wide Web. I can help you set up these basic filters if you need help!

This tip is fromChildMind.org:

"E-Cigarettes and Vapes. E-cigarettes are now the most frequently used tobacco product among adolescents — some 2.1 million middle and high school students were e-cigarette users in 2017.”

Mrs. Giron says: Now with these vape companies marketing more directly to our younger children, there are more and more  students trying out this new form of smoking. It can be scary for parents because some vapes look like everyday objects such as USB drives!

This tip is fromHealthyChildren.org:

"Apps for kids – do YOUR homework. More than 80,000 apps are labeled as educational, but little research has demonstrated their actual quality. Products pitched as "interactive" should require more than "pushing and swiping." Look to organizations like Common Sense Media for reviews about age-appropriate apps, games and programs to guide you in making the best choices for your children.”

This tip is fromHealthyChildren.org:

"Make your own family media use plan. Media should work for you and within your family values and parenting style. When used thoughtfully and appropriately, media can enhance daily life. But when used inappropriately or without thought, media can displace many important activities such as face-to-face interaction, family-time, outdoor-play, exercise, unplugged downtime and sleep."

Mrs. Giron says: Being clear about expectations for children is important. Having set rules about how and when to use devices makes for a more peaceful home.