12 Resolutions Every Family With Kids Should Make in 2016

Common Sense Media at Yahoo

If last year you agonized over screen time, 2016 should bring some relief. Though kids are spending more time on media than ever, new research indicates that quality screen time can improve learning, social skills, and even emotional growth. But the value of any experience depends on the support, guidance, and involvement of parents. Parents who are actively involved in their kids’ media lives help them consume less, make better choices, learn, and understand more of what they’re interacting with. With that in mind, consider making New Year’s resolutions to help your kids navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and productively.

For Young Kids

  • Treat tech as a “tool,” not a “treat.” Kids who use tablets or smartphones only to play games see only the entertainment side of technology. Demonstrate the utility of devices, such as how you send email, use a map, and look up facts. Your kids will still want to play on your phone, but they’ll learn that it’s much more than a toy.

  • See setbacks as an opportunity. The lessons that kids learn from overcoming obstacles build the character traits that lead to success. Media can be a powerful ally in reinforcing the message that effort is more important than achievement.

  • Focus on content quality, not screen-time quantity. Instead of tallying up your kid’s screen-time minutes every day, aim for a balance of activities throughout the week: reading, playing, exploring, and so on. In addition to choosing quality content, use media as a means of furthering and cementing your relationship with your kids. FaceTiming with Grandma and sharing your phone’s camera roll, for example, can be wonderful bonding experiences.

  • Be a family of media critics. Media-literacy skills help kids think critically about what they watch, play, and interact with. They are essential for kids growing up in a world where content and consumerism are increasingly entwined. Encourage young kids to think more deeply about their shows, books, and games. Ask “Who made this?”; “Whom is it for?”; and “What is it telling you?”

  • Make something. This year, embark on a creative endeavor with your kid. Start an online scrapbook, make a collection of favorite things on Pinterest, design a Minecraft world, or make a silly video on your phone. Your kids will not only learn a new skill, they’ll begin to understand the responsibility that comes along with digital creation.

  • Model the digital habits you want your kids to pick up. Lead by example by putting your own devices away during family time. Parent role-modeling shows kids the behavior and values you want in your home.


For Tweens and Teens

  • Have the talk. No, not that talk. The one about being safe, smart, and responsible online. You don’t have to be an expert on Instagram or Call of Duty to give your kids a solid understanding of how you expect them to behave.

  • Help kids keep social media in perspective. Just because your teen is on Snapchat every minute doesn’t mean she’s really having fun. In fact, though 45 percent of teens use social media every day, only a third says they enjoy it “a lot.” However, teens whose parents talk to them about their social media lives report being happier. As with anything, social media has good, bad, and neutral aspects, but kids need parents to help them sort out which is which.

  • Encourage informal learning. Focusing on traditional academic benchmarks may not account for self-directed learning – the independent pursuit of knowledge, guided by kids’ interests, skills, and plain old curiosity. Studying guitar from YouTube videos, reading Star Wars wikis, and watching TED talks are all valuable screen activities that you can encourage this year (maybe after homework is done).

  • Have a media plan. It’s really easy for media and technology to overstay their welcome. This year, start off with a plan to maintain a balance and stay in control. A few ideas:

    Create screen-free zones. Keep certain areas (bedrooms, for example) and times (such as dinner) off-limits to phones, tablets, TVs, and other devices so they’re reserved for rest and family time.
    Cut down on multitasking during homework. Little distractions can add up to big misses on the algebra test.
    Set limits. Everyone needs to disengage from their devices – adults included. But without someone to draw the line, tweens and teens may be tempted to text late into the night or play video games ‘til they look like zombies. Establish appropriate boundaries and make sure you enforce them.

  • Encourage healthy skepticism. The ability for tweens and teens to think about the messages behind their media is more important than ever. Ads and content are increasingly becoming entwined, and studies show kids have a hard time telling the difference between them. Online stories are regularly unmasked as hoaxes. Even companies’ privacy policies are filled with legalese. Help kids to think critically about all the content they consume. Ask: Who made this? Who’s the audience? What are the messages?

  • Celebrate kids using social media for good. Across the world, regular tweens and teens who are tired of online negativity randomly pop up on social media with a positive message to share. Examples include Thomas Sanders’ Vines and a British teen’s antibullying YouTube video. This year, make a note to talk to your kids about the power of social media for positive social change. —Caroline Knorr, Common Sense Media

(Photo: Stocksy)

Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org