Navigating tech in the early years of education

In a rapidly advancing technological landscape and an era of innovation and digitization, younger children, especially elementary school children, must understand and learn to balance technology usage. Early conversations with children on expectations, setting clear boundaries for digital safety, and coaching on the core values for the use and adoption of tech would help with laying a stronger foundation for tech literacy, building mutual trust, and empowering children to confidently embrace the myriad of tools, while being digitally and socially responsible.

Concerns about screen time and its impact on young minds are undoubtedly valid. However, technology itself isn't the enemy. When used appropriately and with a proper set of guidelines, technology can also be a powerful tool that enriches a child's learning experience and nurtures specific crucial skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, as well as specific advanced social-emotional skills such as self-control, self-regulation, self-preservation and acceptance of delayed gratification. 

How is that possible?

There are numerous benefits to integrating technology into children's lives early. However, not all tech is created equal, and introducing tech needs careful supervision, thoughtful guidelines, and a thorough understanding of each tool. Adopting tech with certain guardrails or embracing tech that offers built-in barriers might be our best partner in supporting the development of digital responsibility in our younger children. Based on some of the principles below, creating the appropriate framework that would suit your family and your children might lead to a more balanced usage and adoption of tech grounded in the correct principles from a young age.

1. Encourage responsibility toward devices

   Talk through the rules of caring for devices as a family and encourage children to take good care of devices (own, shared, or rental):

   • Charging devices before the charge runs out. 

   • Keeping devices and accessories clean and safe (e.g., wiping down screens, cautious handling of the stylus, device case, or keyboard). 

   • Keeping devices safe from accidental damage (e.g., not eating or drinking while using devices, keeping them safe in working areas to prevent falls).Keeping all passwords private (if shared with the child).

2. Encourage digital responsibility

   Encourage a disciplined and conscious usage of devices from a young age that builds and supports self-preservation, time management, self-control, and self-regulation, eventually building trust and self-reliance with tech usage. 

   • Safety and Judgment: Explain what they should expect, what may go wrong, and why parental coaching is necessary.

     • Safety is paramount; set this as a ground rule during your conversations on tech usage. Take your time to educate them on personal information and why they should not share it. 

     • Explain the importance of keeping all types of content private (images, videos, and texts). Enforce check-in with a trusted adult before sharing with friends or families. 

     • Educate them on scams, spam (emails or text), click-bait, and other pop-ups so they might be more aware and know to check in with a trusted adult always.

     • Educate them about cookies that track online activities and have a simple process outlined for them - e.g., ask them to check in with a parent whenever they have "cookie preferences" or close down tabs that ask for tracking.

     • Talk to them about social media and the age group it is relevant for. Reason with analogies such as TV ratings and age-related driving restrictions so they understand the “why” behind some of your principles. 

   • Time (and screen-time) management: Talk to children about the importance of screen breaks and allow them to be self-directed when taking them. 

     • Talk to them about the science and research behind screen breaks and recommended screen time per day (screen time restrictions on their devices can be implemented as a second step if required). Discuss the long-term impact of passive screen time, causing sedentary habits and related health issues. Talk to them about balancing “creation” and “consumption” when using tech.

     • Encourage the usage of timers for screen activities so they are more aware of their time craters. Excessive use of tech often comes from a lack of understanding of elapsed time or the non-existence of a consistent set of rules.

     • Finally, encourage their self-discipline by rewarding their mindful choices.

3. Encourage moral responsibility

   Despite all our guardrails, there might be times when the unknown happens - ads that can come up on online platforms, a wrong option selected on a pop-up, or just an impulsive choice. Encourage open communication, honesty, and integrity by emphasizing that mistakes might happen, but they need to communicate this back to you and learn from them.  

   • Implement an open-door and an open-device policy so you or a trusted adult can always check in, monitor, chat through when needed, and provide feedback. Explain this to your child by comparing this learning process to having training wheels on a bike.

   • Encourage integrity - ask your child to talk to you if they're unsure, and make yourself available when you are trying something new online. Try not to penalize a wrong decision, and help them learn and improve over time and build trust. 

   • Share personal stories of your mistakes to encourage self-reflection and open communication so they learn the importance of discussing with a trusted adult and learning from mistakes.

4. Encourage social responsibility (to peers and others)

   In a world highly connected to technology, where we can instantly communicate with people thousands of miles away or freely share content or perspectives, it is essential to teach mindfulness and the importance of digital footprint.

   1. Digital Citizenship: Talk about responsible online behavior, including kindness and respect in their language during communication and online interactions. Hold them accountable for their conduct while using tech - video calls with extended families, images taken on the computer/ phone camera, communication on trusted classroom tools, or interactions with AI bots (e.g., Google, Alexa, or Siri). 

   2. Evaluation of content: The internet contains both valuable and harmful content. Teaching children to discern reliable sources from misinformation is fundamental in building fact-based knowledge and deterring misinformation. Further, explaining how we can differentiate a fact from an opinion through tiers of research for supporting information or evidence from trusted sources would be a critical skill to develop in children.  

   3. Mindfulness: Explain the importance of respecting other people's private information (personal information, photos/ videos) as highly as their own. Ask them to seek permission when taking pictures or recording audio or videos (even if they might be family or friends). Explain to them that digital footprints are an extension of who we are.

Incorporating these principles into your family's tech journey can lead to a balanced, responsible, and scalable tech adoption from a young age. Fostering a sense of responsibility toward devices, self, and others in the digital realm helps shape tech-savvy, self-aware, morally and socially conscious individuals who can navigate the digital landscape confidently while appreciating the world beyond the screen.