Healthy Tech Habits: Supporting Our Students in a Digital World
In a world where technology is a constant companion for our children, finding a balance between digital independence and online safety can feel overwhelming. BPHC’s ParentIN program was pleased to welcome 35 adults to our "Let’s Talk: Supporting Healthy Use of Media and Technology for Your Child" event.
The evening served as an interactive space for middle and high school parents and caregivers to move from "tech-stress" toward a clear plan of action. Attendees enjoyed dinner before hearing from local experts, including BSD Technology Integration Specialist Andrea Olsen, who shared research on healthy brain development, and counselors from the Howard Center, who discussed the social-emotional aspects of online exposure. We concluded with small group discussions to swap parenting strategies and a hands-on tech support session where specialists helped caregivers navigate privacy settings and parental controls on their own devices. Andrea’s fantastic presentation is only 7 minutes long and can be watched below on our ParentIN Youtube Channel.
Her presentation moves beyond simple screen time limits to offer parents and caregivers a sense of reassurance and practical, low-stress strategies for the home. You'll learn why adolescent brains are biologically "wired" to find social media and gaming so hard to put down—and how understanding this can change the way you talk to your child about their habits. Olsen also shares how to identify "green flags" of healthy tech use versus "red flag" signals that it might be time for a deeper conversation.
Why watch the full video?
The "No Surprises" Rule: Discover a simple communication strategy that can end the cycle of secretive app downloads and deletions.
Beyond the Hourglass: Learn the specific question you should ask instead of "How many hours have you been online?" to truly gauge your child's well-being.
Predictable Tech-Free Times: Find out which three areas of daily life are the most critical to protect from devices to reduce family conflict and improve student sleep.
