january RESOURCES:
media balance & well-being
During the month of January, learners of all ages will engage in digital citizenship learning related to Media Balance & Well-Being. These lessons focus on agency, not addiction, and quality time, not simply total screen time. Empowering learners to identify the difference between curating and creative screen time versus passive media consumption.
At home, you can support your students in understanding Media Balance & Well-Being, especially in the areas of texting and using Google Chat.
Regular communication: Begin conversations about Internet safety as soon as you allow your kids on the Internet. You can use block filtering and monitoring for kids ages 6-9 to prevent them from going onto an adult site, for example. Once kids are 12, 13, or 14, they know how to get around “Net Nanny” type programs and turn them off, as well as how to change browser history, so you need to have those conversations — the sooner, the better!
Set up family rules: Adults have ultimate decision-making power over when, how often, and where devices can be used. Bedrooms and nighttime are often when kids are vulnerable. Consider taking up phones, Chromebooks, and other devices at bedtime and using Securly Home to turn off online access. Have screen-free times, such as during dinnertime or after school work is completed, so they can have time to decompress from screens and interact with those around them. If you have a child who engages in risky behavior, insist on getting their passwords and “spot checking” their profiles. As a parent, you need to factor in your child’s personality and then decide how closely you will monitor their online activities.
Join the same networks: If your child is on social networking apps like SnapChat, you might want to join, too. This will allow you to see what the privacy features are. If your child has a public account, this is a good time to discuss how others see them and how this could affect decisions like employment and college acceptance in the future. Help them understand that they should not be sharing personal information, become “friends” with people they do not know, and how online words and images are long-lasting, even if they seem deleted.
Help identify emotions: Ask your child how they feel when on certain programs and apps. Check in with them to help them identify anxiety and give them permission and encouragement to take a device break. Anxiety could also be a sign of cyberbullying, in which they will need your help. Teens need to know that not everyone online is who they say they are. They should always report inappropriate material or conversations to you and to the website immediately.
Monthly Motto
We find balance in our digital lives.
Discussion Question
How can we help students use media in healthy ways?
Media Balance & Well-Being Family Activities
Kindergarten English
Grade 1 English
Grade 2 English
Grades 3-5 English Spanish
Grades 6-8 English Spanish
Grade 9-12 English
Additional Family Engagement Resources
7 Surprising Apps Kids Can Use to Chat with Friends
How to Handle Disturbing Content you Find on your Teens Phone
Help Kids Make Friends and Interact Safely Online
Digital Wellness for Families
Jeffco Student Use of the Internet agreement