What Apple's New iOS 12 Parental Controls Mean for You

Apple's new operating system, iOS 12, has a feature called Screen Time lets parents see exactly how much time your kids spend on their phones and tablets.

So what will you see and what can you monitor?

• Usage tracking
• App limits
• Downtime
• Always Allowed
• Content & Privacy Restrictions

To see all these features in action and how you can set up the devices for your children, watch the video below. 

As with any parental controls, they're best used along with guidance and conversation. You may also find using a Family Media Agreement from Common Sense Media is a good starting place for those conversations.

Kiddle - Child Friendly Internet Searching

Kiddle is marketed as a "kid safe, visual search engine".  It uses an embedded Google search box that filters out explicit/adult content.  Search results are often categorised and it's useful to know how these work when you are web searching with students.

Many websites included in the Kiddle search have been recommended by educators, librarians and parents around the world.  The best results for students are likely to pop up in results 1 - 7.

Common Sense YouTube channel review are here!

You asked for help keeping up with the best (and worst) of YouTube, and we answered. Common Sense YouTube channel reviews are here! They'll point you to the most popular channels and stars your kids are watching. And the best part: These reviews are independent, family‑focused, and free. You can help keep it that way by supporting Common Sense. Give today, and make sure you always have what you need to keep up with your kids. Support Common Sense

Digital Life of your Child

Click on the image above or on this link to view

Online vs. Offline Self: Who is the Real You?

Helpful Tips and Resources For Parents on Managing Technology

We are often asked for help when parents are having challenges with their children in the area of managing technology.  We believe all technology management should start with sit down conversations as a family.  What do we want?  What do we think is reasonable?  What concerns do we have?  We have included some resources below to help with discussions and decisions, but any of these should be used in the context of a two way conversation!

1.  Negative Impact of Technology Near BedTime.

• This is widely studied and reported.  A Google search would get a number of hits pretty quick.  Here are some quick-read resources which have the basic information, along with links to other sites:
• https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/public-information/fact-sheets-a-z/802-technology-sleep.html
• https://sleep.org/articles/ways-technology-affects-sleep/
• https://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/electronics-the-bedroom
• http://techtimeout.com/technology-sleep/
• http://aspeneducation.crchealth.com/article-teen-sleeping/

2.  Monitoring and Controlling Technology

• This should start with use of parent controls ... particularly setting them for time limits so computer can't be accessed between certain hours.  This involves a sit down conversation with parents and their children as to what would be considered reasonable.  We can help parents set these in the office too.

• Covenant Eyes  http://www.covenanteyes.com/

• Here is an article on the basics of parent controls.  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-parental-controls

• Looking at History (bear in mind students often know how to use invisible browsing or delete history.  However, a warning sign to parents is if there is not a detailed history ...

• PC Magazine's Review of 2017 best Monitoring software for parents - gives a good overview and comparison of features on offer:  http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346997,00.asp    You can read reviews as well.

• Circle with Disney is one we are trying out.  Users like it because it gives them a great place for conversation starters and they can choose limits on specific software/apps.  Users report the apps are pretty easy to set up.  You can't buy it here, only in the USA.

• Parenting Apps     http://www.screenagersmovie.com/new-page-1/

Family Contracts

Some family rules about where and how technology is used is important.  Lots of families are using contracts.  There are many different types of these.  Here are some samples and resources:

• http://www.robynsonlineworld.com/2014/05/tips-for-creating-family-contracts-for-digital-kids/
• https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/connecting_families/family_media_agreements_k-12.pdf
• https://mediatechparenting.net/contracts-and-agreements/
• http://www.screenagersmovie.com/contracts-1/

Finally, in May we will be holding two screenings of Screenagers.  The plan is to not just watch the movie but have some discussion groups afterwards to help parents think through how they will manage technology in their families.  You may want to attend one of these nights.

As always, please contact any of the DLCs with any queries or concerns.

Managing Technology at Home

Want some help on managing technology in your home?  Our BS counselor Randi Burns has put together some great tips for you in the screencast below.  Check it out!

Parents and Digital Media

"Nine hours and 22 minutes is the average time parents spend with screen media daily, including for personal and work use. 7:43 of that time is devoted to personal screen media ..."

Common sense media just released (December , 2016) their latest research on parents and digital media.  It highlights parent personal use, thoughts and concerns about their children's use and provides some fascinating reading.  For a more indepth look at their report, you can go here or to their website.