eSMART MATTERS
BY ROWAN WALKER (eLearning Coordinator)
In our increasingly connected world, maintaining digital well-being is crucial for our children's overall health and development. Here are some strategies to help achieve a healthy balance:
Set Boundaries
Establish clear rules about when and where devices can be used. For example, designate tech-free zones like the dinner table or bedrooms.
Model Good Behaviour
Children often mimic their parents' behaviour. Be mindful of your own screen time and try to demonstrate a healthy balance between digital and real-world activities.
Encourage Physical Activity
Promote outdoor play, sports, and other physical activities as alternatives to screen time. This not only benefits physical health but also supports mental wellbeing.
Foster Face-to-Face Interactions
Encourage family activities and social gatherings that don't involve screens. This helps develop crucial interpersonal skills that can't be learned online.
Quality Over Quantity
Not all screen time is equal. Guide your children towards educational content and creative digital activities rather than passive consumption.
Prioritise Sleep
Establish a "digital curfew" to ensure devices don't interfere with sleep. Consider keeping devices out of bedrooms overnight.
Remember, the goal isn't to eliminate technology from our children's lives, but to teach them to use it mindfully and in moderation. By fostering a healthy relationship with technology, we can help our children thrive both online and offline.
Further Information:
1 https://studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/resources/digital-citizenship-parents/
2 https://digitalwellnesslab.org/family-guides/parents-guide-to-digital-citizenship/
3 https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/entertainment-technology/digital-life/digital-citizenship