For children, the role of technology is even more present in their lives. Technology influences how they carry out their social lives, look for information, listen to music, and generally explore. With new AI tools and social media apps emerging, young people are left to navigate an even more confusing landscape.

Researchers at organizations like Common Sense Media and Child Mind Institute look at changing trends in technology. These organizations help parents and schools teach children to use technology responsibly and build digital citizenship.

Skills form the foundation of learning, and technology is another arena where children develop crucial skills for today's world. To build these skillsets, we must help them navigate technology responsibly and with confidence. This is especially important for young children and adolescents with learning disabilities. Students who have learning differences may be more likely to misinterpret situations, communications, or boundaries in the digital space. 

Improper oversight of technology can have further long-term negative effects on a child's development. This might include impacting social skills, digital media literacy, and mental health. Balancing technology and screen-free time is crucial for their well-being.

So, the question becomes, how can we prepare children for the complex world that exists within technology, and how can we use technology to give children more opportunities to skill-build?

We have found that the answer is not simple or clear and must be revisited over time.  This helps us keep up with changes in technology. It also helps us meet children’s growing needs.

We know that there are pros and cons to using technology in schools. At Winston Prep, we work to incorporate technology into our program in a way that enhances learning and encourages responsible digital citizenship. We encourage parents to have this same approach to managing technology at home.

This means that technology should not replace the structures and routines that make your home run, but it can certainly help to reinforce those structures. You may find that with the help of smart tools like timed reminders, and AI-powered voice assistants, your children are more independent at home and actually have more opportunities to build skills.

Our digital tools should support your home life, not completely take it over. 

What does digital balance look like to you?

Start by asking yourself this question before leading the charge on digital wellness for your kids. Once you have clarity on what your own priorities and values are around the role of technology in your lives, you can begin to model for your children how you embody these values and why they are important.

Engage in ongoing conversations related to your values as a family and how these values guide your decisions and actions.

To get a better understanding of what a healthy balance might look like, spend more time having open discussions with others. Research shows that it is helpful to have these discussions with your wider community – initiate conversations with extended family and parents of your children’s friends to share your priorities and expectations around technology use.

Transparency and ongoing communication will support your child in making value-based decisions when outside of their home and will help you feel more supported, as well.

Each family should feel empowered to set their own boundaries around technology use. What works in one household may not work in another, but the common goal that links all of our efforts is that we want to instill digital wellness in our children.

Digital wellness can mean setting limits, using technology ethically, and understanding how technology affects our mental well-being.

Have conversations with your children about privacy and understanding their digital footprint. These important conversations are about keeping your children and your family safe and should begin as early as possible.

Artificial intelligence and social media platforms in particular have been at the center of privacy concerns in recent years. Explain to your child why sharing personal information online could be dangerous. Check out this article from Common Sense Media for more helpful tips when navigating this topic.

Not all technology is created equal, so it is helpful to talk to your children about the different ways that they, and you, use technology, and which uses might be most beneficial to them.

For instance, you might use technology to connect with grandparents who live far away. Or you may use it for creativity or learning, which can be beneficial for their well-being. This type of use should be treated differently from more passive activities like scrolling through TikTok or watching YouTube.

Reflect upon your family tech plan regularly: what’s working, what did we do well, and how can we do better? What challenged us and why?

It is important to remember this is not a “pass or fail” situation. It is a learning process shaped by many factors. Approach it with curiosity and connection.

Ultimately, helping children to thrive in a world that is filled with technology is about teaching them that their voice is their greatest tool. Technology can help them rethink, reframe, or revise, but it cannot replace their unique perspective and the contentment they find from real independence.

Winston Preparatory School offers individualized programming for students ages 8-21+ with learning differences such as dyslexia, nonverbal learning disabilities (NVLD), and executive functioning difficulties (ADHD). Learn more and discover how Winston Preparatory School could be the right fit for your family.