Keeping Kids Safe Online

By Demetri Orlando, Director of Technology 

Laptops are powerful tools for research, communication, and collaboration, but keeping kids safe online requires clear expectations, consistent rules, and accountability. Students need our help to develop habits that will keep them safe and that support their learning. This is challenging terrain for parents to navigate, as online threats are ubiquitous, the stakes can be high, and teens are seeking to establish independence and test boundaries. Meanwhile, phones and social media have created a new form of addiction, and compete with schoolwork for students' time and attention. This leaves parents and educators with important work to do. We must be actively involved in the digital lives of our students on an ongoing basis to help them make good decisions, especially as media and tools continue to evolve over time. 

One of the best ways to help students is to have open and ongoing discussions about their use of technology. The issues, concerns, and dangers need to be discussed in age-appropriate ways as children develop. Similarly, students need encouragement and guidance to develop effective strategies for organizing their digital tools and systems. Showing interest in their work, and their approach to technology can open doors to these types of conversations.

We have put together a guide, Advice for Parents of Teens on Digital Devices, to help families establish healthy digital habits at home. Here are a few key points from the guide:

• Establish Clear Physical and Time Boundaries: To ensure awareness and healthy growth, we recommend that devices be used primarily in common spaces (e.g. the living room) rather than bedrooms, and establish a time that all digital devices are put away each night (e.g. 9:00 pm) to protect sleep.
• Maintain Parental Oversight: On student laptops, we recommend that parents be the "Administrator" user and students have the "Standard User" account type to prevent settings changes or app installations. We also recommend knowing students' passwords and occasionally checking on browsing histories and online communications. Parental control software can provide a useful safety barrier, but it is not a stand-alone solution 
• Prioritize Open Communication: Rules are most effective when paired with conversation. Talk with your student about your family's values concerning kindness and respect in online spaces. We encourage parents to discuss the 4 R's as privileges expand: a student's Responsibility, the Rules, the Risks, and their Reasons for wanting greater access.

For the full set of guidelines, including steps for implementing technology controls (like Apple ScreenTime) and recognizing problematic use, please read the full document: Advice for Parents of Teens on Digital Devices