So, picking up where we left off last week… What specific guidelines should we use with preteens and young teens? Utilize parental device checks as needed. While this does not mean constantly confiscating phones or other devices, it does mean you reserve the right to check out devices anytime you Read more…
In a WHAT kind of world? Technology has now become a primary medium for the social dynamics of adolescence from middle school through college and beyond. Parents MUST understand that digital social media is more than just an important area of our teens’ lives. It has become a dominant force Read more…
Frustrated with the tension at home with your kids and homework? Here are four simple steps to help increase the peace, along with your child’s or teen’s personal responsibility and growth: 1. Insist on a homework area that invites success. Your teen may try to make their schoolwork spot the Read more…
One of the most fundamental changes in parenting teens in our times is the lightning speed with which new technologies are embraced into and throughout their world. We are still working on how to handle emerging digital technologies and the always expanding world of social media for ourselves, so we Read more…
My family has officially reached that time where we have made the decision for our young adolescent son to have his own smartphone (after having his own tablet for gaming/YouTube only for a year or two). For as much as I have been helping other families navigate Read more…
I’m not sure there has yet been an app that has so immediately caused such a cultural impact as Pokemon GO. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you probably think I’m kidding or exaggerating. I’m not. This innovative app has not only captured the attention of a Read more…
When I decided to pursue my Doctorate back in the day, I was eager to study the dynamics of family life and entertainment media. At the time, television was still king, so to speak. Smart phones and tablets had not yet emerged. Laptops were not common. Netflix and Redbox weren’t Read more…
Remember back when you were dating as a teenager, and you wondered why your girlfriend or boyfriend hadn’t responded to your text within thirty minutes? So frustrating, wasn’t it?! It’s like, “What’s the problem? Did I do something wrong? Is he cheating on me? What did I say? Is she Read more…
So, you’re already very aware of how important it is to oversee and guide your teen’s digital world – especially regarding his or her smart phone. What you want to know is: how far should you go with monitoring activity? Do you stick with simply asking questions and discussing? Do you periodically look through your teen’s phone for yourself? Do you look several times a week? Do you inform your teen their smart phone is “open” to your inspection, or do you do it without their awareness? In this video post, I offer guidance to help you make these decisions well.
The way we use social media makes a direct impact on our mental and spiritual well-being. Here are some ways to help our teens do their best.