BLOGS

For parents on the fence regarding whether to provide their preteens with a smartphone, the University of South Florida’s 2025 Life in Media Survey offers some interesting findings. The study, based on a survey of 1,510 Florida 11- to 13-year-olds, found that “on nearly all measures of health and wellness, kids who have their own smartphones fared better, or at least no worse, than kids who don’t have smartphones.”

In today’s world, a child’s online activity isn’t just about fun and connection – it can shape their future opportunities. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to protect their digital footprint.

In today’s Digital Age where social media is omnipresent, it has become almost second nature for parents to share photos of their children on public platforms – a practice known as “sharenting.” However, putting photos of your kids on social media, no matter how cute they are, does not come without potential problems. While sharing your baby’s milestones online with your network might be convenient and common, the potential risks often outweigh the benefits.

Limiting the amount of time your kids play video games during the summer holidays can be a challenge, especially when they have an abundance of free time and you probably don’t. But while setting healthy limits on how often they can play can be a challenge, the benefits are worth it – for your kids and you.

In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricate world of TikTok and its effects on young users. Our mission is to provide valuable insights, advice, and strategies for parents to navigate the TikTok phenomenon responsibly and ensure their children’s well-being.

The Senate recently passed two children’s online safety bills — the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) — which, if they become law, would require social media companies, technology companies, and online advertisers to do more to ensure the safety and privacy of technology users under age 17.

Back to school can be an exciting time for your children as they reunite with friends, discover new subjects, and meet new teachers. This opportunity to learn, grow, and embrace new opportunities can be hindered, however, by overexposure to screens.

Homework. Social media. Bullying. Work deadlines. Entrance exams. Inflation. Online predators. Enrichment activities. If you feel your pulse rising as you consider this word salad, you are in good company.

Homework. Social media. Bullying. Work deadlines. Entrance exams. Inflation. Online predators. Enrichment activities. If you feel your pulse rising as you consider this word salad, you are in good company.

Towards the end of 2023, a 14-year-old Florida teen named Sewell Setzer III became increasingly isolated from his real life as he engaged in highly sexualized conversations with an AI chatbot named Dany, modeled on the Game of Thrones character, Danaerys Targaryen. As his relationship with the chatbot became more and more intense, the teen began withdrawing from family and friends, and started getting into trouble at school.

Parents of middle- and high-school age children are, as a rule, already deep in the trenches, working to manage and balance their children’s safe use of screens. But what about younger siblings? What can parents do to help young children form healthy screen habits during these formative years?

If your child isn’t getting enough sleep at night, they could be harming their physical, social, and academic development. In addition to having a direct effect on your child’s mood, emotional well-being, and immune system, sleep also impacts their alertness, attention spans, cognitive performance, vocabulary acquisition, learning, and memory.

The local video rental store was often where childhood weekend fun began for many of today’s parents. Many have fond memories of visiting the store with parents, and selecting movies for viewing at home, often from the section featuring child-and family-friendly titles.

While there is much focus nationally on the topic of teen addiction to smart phone use, a December 2024 study suggests that today’s parents are also challenged in managing their own use of these devices.

While there is much focus nationally on the topic of teen addiction to smart phone use, a December 2024 study suggests that today’s parents are also challenged in managing their own use of these devices. A Harmony Healthcare IT survey (Phone Screen Time Addiction & Usage – New Survey Data & Statistics) finds that adults in the US spend five hours and 16 minutes on their phone screens each day – a 14 percent increase from the previous year. In short, adults on average spend more than 36 hours per week, a full day and a half, looking at their phone screens.