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“No TV until your homework is finished” used to be the easiest way to separate school work from screen time. Today, with IMs, YouTube, texting, and social media, that boundary is super blurry. And because middle and high schoolers often have media and technology as part of their lessons and take-home assignments, it’s tough for parents to know where to draw the line. Fortunately, the folks whose job it is to prepare kids to take on the world (including the digital one) know all about managing screen time, multitasking, online privacy, and even using tech tools at home. And they know your tweens and teens pretty well, too. Teachers — who are on the front lines of the tech-infused school day — are experts at helping families manage this stuff so that kids can learn. Here are the questions teachers wish you’d ask about the issues that affect students the most.


Rather than allotting a certain amount, first list out everything your kid needs to do in a 24-hour period. Assign a time limit for each activity — for example, 30 minutes for chores, one hour for physical activity, 45 minutes for reading, 20 minutes for dinner, etc. Don’t forget to add 9 to 12 hours for sleep! In the remaining time, figure out how much can be used for screen-based entertainment. It will probably vary throughout the week. Try the American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan to calculate a schedule that works for your family.

How can I curb my kid’s multitasking during homework?

In the classroom, teachers who use tech often have to personally monitor students to make sure they’re focusing on work, not fooling around on their devices. At home, it’s a good idea to reduce or eliminate multitasking because it really takes a toll on learning — and and drags out homework duties. Set up a homework zone in a common area where you can keep an eye on their activities. Make it device-free if possible — although sometimes kids legitimately need them for study apps or for checking assignments. Keep devices out of the bedroom, because texting and sleeping is about the worst multitasking kids can do. If they have to use devices and you can’t closely supervise, consider downloading a parental control app that limits access to entertainment during homework, such as unGlue. You can also enable Restrictions or Guided Access on iPhones or use Google’s Family Link on Android devices to help keep kids on task. But you’ll probably still need to spot check.


Teachers who use technology or expect students to use it at home generally have a plan for keeping you in the loop. They should supply a list of the tools that kids will need access to at home and a process for notifying you if anything changes during the year. One of the most important issues with kids using technology at home is student privacy. Your kid’s school ideally vets third-party vendors to ensure that they’re not taking advantage of your kid’s information. If your kid has to register for anything, read the privacy policy on the company’s website and provide only the most basic information required.


Teachers definitely want to know if there is cyberbullying happening. Ideally, kids are learning about digital citizenship either on its own or in the context of their instruction (for example, a team project using Google Docs that students have to collaborate on), so it should be something that is discussed and dealt with. Tell the teacher — or have your kid report it — so it can be worked out using the school community’s conflict resolution methods, just like any other problem affecting students. Teachers can keep an eye out for more of this behavior in school. They should also have clear systems in place to monitor and moderate any class activity online for inappropriate behavior or bullying.


Nearly every app for kids in the app stores is labeled “educational,” but not all of them are really good for learning. If you’re looking for tech tools that you can use to support your kid’s in-class learning at home, think of three broad categories: instructional tools that teach academic subjects; creation tools that let kids express themselves; and communities that offer a supportive, collaborative sharing space. These can be apps, websites, games, design programs, and social worlds. Here are some to try:


Khan Academy

PBS Kids



Google Art Project

One Globe Kids Friends Around the World







Explain Everything Classic

Animoto Video Maker



LittleBigPlanet 2


Project Noah



Written by Caroline Knorr for Common Sense Media.

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