Technology is not only changing how kids learn and connect. It might actually be making it harder for them to develop essential human social skills at the exact time they need to be building them. Family engagement for digital well-being means all the adults and caregivers in a child's life share responsibility as partners, to cultivate a mindset that will serve that child for life, no matter what new technology emerges.
Whether your digital citizenship efforts are focused on a single classroom or across an entire school or district, Common Sense has tools and strategies to bring together educators, families, and students.
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We have been watching technology change childhood faster than anyone can keep pace. As younger and younger kids use devices, and AI continues to accelerate, the mental health impacts on young people are impossible to ignore.
Digital literacy isn't really about understanding the "digital" part anymore. It's about doubling down on what makes us uniquely, powerfully human. Topics like cyberbullying or information literacy may feel daunting to parents and caregivers, but through authentic connection, you can help them realize they're well equipped to guide their children.
Parents don't have to be tech experts to foster critical thinking at a time when unverified answers are instant. Raising children in the digital age is about actively prioritizing face-to-face connection when screens are the more convenient choice, nurturing curiosity as algorithms tell us what to like and believe, and encouraging creative persistence when instant AI generation is possible.
Our approach has evolved alongside the changing world. It's not just about screen time and passwords (though those are important too). Beyond classroom skills, families play a critical role in cultivating dispositions that will prepare kids not just to navigate technology, but also to thrive in an always-on world. Schools and community organizations that lead alongside parents and caregivers make stronger partnerships and are proven to improve student success.
The goal is to nurture empathy, lead with curiosity, and open ongoing conversations that acknowledge we're all in this together. When we collaborate with families, our kids are better equipped to navigate AI companion apps, deepfakes, viral TikTok challenges, peer pressure to overshare, or technologies or trends we haven't even imagined yet because we're teaching them skills that will serve them for life.
Working together, schools and families can empower kids to use technology in positive, creative, and powerful ways.
Cultivate mutual trust and communicate effectively with these templates, to build a relationship of shared learning and responsibility.
You know your community best, which is why you're the most qualified to lead conversations with your parents and caregivers. These ready-made, customizable workshops in English and Spanish help facilitate interactive sessions on kids' media use and digital dilemmas.
Find and share lists of recommended books, apps, websites, movies, TV shows, and more, organized by age range and media type.
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