8 Back-to-School Tech Tips for Parents

For parents of school-age children, now is the time to think about outfitting the kids for the upcoming school year. As you create shopping lists for new clothes and supplies, don’t forget to include a technology plan for the family.

Mountain America Credit Union has eight tips to help you formulate your family’s plan:

1. Central charging station at home
   Select a centralized location in your home where your children can check their devices in and out. Set a time when everything has to be returned for the night. By enforcing this rule, everyone starts the day with a fully-charged device and you are able to monitor your children’s access to social media, games and text messaging.




2. Let your child teach you
   If there’s a device, program, website or app your child is using, have him show you how it works. He will enjoy the idea of teaching an adult and you can get insight into where he is spending his time online.

1. Look beyond your own online footprint
   Log on to Google and search for your family name and your children’s names. It’s something we often do for ourselves, but it’s even more important to do for our children. Talk with your children about online scams and the permanence of social content. Let them know that poor online decisions can have severe or sometimes devastating consequences.

1. Don’t let screen time overrule unplugged time
   Add rules in your family plan that include putting the devices down and making time for exercise, hobbies, face-to-face time with friends and family and outside play.

1. Keep tech public
   It can be difficult to keep your kids out in the open while using portable tech devices in the home. The best way to get them on board is to implement usage rules early. If they are brought up with guidelines on what they can watch and where, they’ll be less likely to balk at these rules as they get older. Know your child’s friends, online and offline.

1. Stay connected to your children’s school
   Send a quick email to teachers to ask about the use of technology in the classroom. Many teachers maintain class websites that clearly outline projects and homework and some even blog about what the students are learning on a given day. Are you a class parent or team volunteer? Use VolunteerSpot—a free app that keeps track of dates, assignments and team members!

1. Keep track of your brood
   Life360 is a free family locator app. Download and register your children’s phones to see their location on a map. In addition to kids checking in at their destination, you can create a circle of family members and caregivers that can help you keep tabs.




2. Be a good role model
   The biggest influence on young techies is the rest of the family. Everyone, including parents, should practice kindness and good manners online and regularly limit their own exposure to media use.

Like everything else, technology can be a useful asset when it’s treated right. Take precautions, limit daily exposure and diligently monitor your children’s online activity for a healthy relationship with tech—for both you and your child.

Mountain America is proud to provide secure banking options for our members. Our mobile app and online banking website allow you to quickly, easily and securely monitor your finances, pay bills, transfer money and even apply for loans.