GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SUGGESTIONS
There are some general parenting/caregiver tips that help navigate creating a household that respects digital boundaries. Some of these can include: • Keeping phones and devices out of the bedroom. Sleep is essential for growth. There is a direct correlation between electronic media usage in the bedroom and our children’s sleep being negatively impacted . 1 Over 60% of our children have at least one media device in their bedroom, and as parents and caregivers, the frequency sits at over 90%. 2 Sleep disturbance in childhood is known to have adverse effects on health, including obesity, sedentary behavior, reduced immune function, and stunted growth . Poor sleep is also linked to adverse mental health experiences for our children . 3 • Having a central charging station! If possible, have a central charging station for all portable digital devices. The kitchen table or island, living room, or another communal area in your house is a great place to keep all household devices charged at night, including your own! Modeling digitally responsible behavior and setting an example for our children that we do not need to sleep with our device(s) helps our children understand they do not need to either!
• Knowing our children’s passwords. It is your parental and caregiving right! You paid for the device your child uses, which means…you guessed it! You own it! You have the right to spot- check devices that belong to you, including the ones that you gave your child. It is also essential for us to know our children’s passwords in case anything happens and is to their benefit in case they forget their passwords.
1 Electronic media use and sleep in children 2 Media Devices in Parents’ and Children’s Bedrooms 3 Children and Sleep | Sleep Foundation
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