I remember when my parents bought me my first cell phone. I was a senior in high school, and the phone was hunter green and huge. It was used for one thing: making phone calls. Texting wasn’t a thing.

Fast-forward 25 years (I can’t believe I just typed that number!), and we now carry small computers around in our back pockets. Communication doesn’t require a phone call anymore. A quick text can reach someone instantly. Our kids can access information, entertainment, social media, games, and just about anything else with the tap of a screen.

And while I love the convenience technology provides, it also comes with a tremendous responsibility for us as parents. Our children have access to more information than any generation before them—some of it good, some of it bad, and some of it straight up ugly.

That’s why boundaries matter.

When we hand our children a device that gives them access to the entire world, we can’t simply hand over the phone and hope they make all the right choices. They need guidance, accountability, age-appropriate boundaries, and parents who are willing to have the hard conversations about what they may encounter online.

Technology can be an incredible tool, but our kids need to learn how to use it wisely and responsibly.

Here are some tips we use when dealing with our kids and technology:

1. No devices in bedrooms. That includes phones, gaming devices, TVs, and anything else that can keep our kids connected to the outside world behind a closed door. Do we trust our kids? 100%! But, why would we want to put them in a position where they could be tempted? There is no accountability behind a closed door. Keep a charging station in an open space in the home where electronics are docked at night.
2. Check their phones often. I read my kids’ text messages and browse their emails. Does that mean I don’t trust them? Absolutely not. There have been times I’ve read a text conversation and it has led to great discussions about friendships, conflict, boundaries, and how to respond wisely. I want my kids to know I trust them and I am here to help them. I’m a sounding board and I have something they don’t have yet – experience!
3. Skip social media. After 16+ years of working in education, I have yet to see much positive come from teens and social media. I have however seen teens make really poor choices and have to deal with some major consequences because of social media. Social media opens the door for anxiety, peer pressure, and much sexualized content.
4. Set time limits. According to American Academy of Pediatrics, teens spend an average of 7.5-8.5 hours each day on screen-based media. Yikes! That statistic scares me. Our kids need to have time to be creative, find new hobbies, build meaningful relationships, and even entertain themselves when they get bored!
5. Utilize helpful tools. There are many tools available to help protect kids against harmful content. We have used NetNanny to guard laptops and Qustodio to monitor phones. These tools can set time limits, block unwanted websites, and update parents about search inquiries.
6. Teach your teens to think before they type. Anything they put in a text, email, or social media post can potentially live online forever—even if they delete it. A screenshot can last forever. A careless comment made years ago can resurface later and impact opportunities for college, sports, jobs, or relationships.

Technology can be an incredible tool, but it also comes with risks. As parents, we have a responsibility to stay involved, set boundaries, and guide our children as they navigate the online world.

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

Psalm 119:37