Tips to manage child’s summer technology usage

Summer is quickly approaching. Without school to cut down on the time tweens spend texting, surfing the Internet, and playing video games, it’s no surprise that kid’s technology usage increases during the summer months. While electronics provide fun pastimes for many kids, they shouldn’t take the place of outdoor baseball games and lemonade stands. It may seem challenging to convince kids that going outside can be more fun then playing Xbox, but with the right balance of technology and outdoor alternatives, your kids can have a fun and safe summer vacation.

1. Set some ground rules

Before summer starts, make sure your kids know that they won’t be allowed to spend all day in front of the computer or TV screen. Knowing about the rules ahead of time makes kids more likely to be respectful of the rules so they feel a part of the process.

2. Don’t take away the technology

Instead of taking away all technology rights, simply set aside an agreed upon amount of time that your kids can spend playing video games or texting friends. Be sure to enforce the rules. A suggestion may be an hour in the morning and an hour at night. An easy to follow daily routine makes the schedule easier to stick to for both parents and kids.

3. Monitor text messages and online usage

This is a must year round. Make sure to look at the websites your children visit and the friends they text. In terms of texting, don’t ask to read every text. You don’t want to make your kids feel as if they need to text in secret in order to talk to a friend. The best way to reassure yourself of appropriate behavior is to ask to see who they text and not each thing they say. If you’ve reason to be concerned then by all means exert your mom power, but first let your children know you trust them and give them a chance to prove that you have reason to.

4. Give kids alternatives

The best way to urge kids out of the house is to provide fun alternatives to the TV. Create a scavenger hunt, help them set up a lemonade stand, or create some makeshifts bases for a baseball field in the yard. Encourage your kids to get creative with a little help along the way.

5. Take advantage of television parental controls

Parental controls provide a great way to reassure yourself that your kids won’t be spending their allotted electronics time watching inappropriate programming. The easy to use control settings can usually be found through your cable provider’s menu function.

6. Use technology to spend time together

Technology’s certainly not purely evil in the mom realm. On the rainy summer evenings hold a family movie night where you put the good powers of your electronics to use. With multiple inexpensive ways to rent new releases, holding a family movie night is a wonderful way to connect with your kids at the end of the day and spend time together when going outside isn’t a possibility.

7. Bring the music outdoors with iPod portable speakers

It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Outdoor fun can be enhanced with music and other gadgets. A great way to do this is to purchase an inexpensive travel set of iPod speakers (can be found for as little as $15-20) and bring your kid’s favorite tunes outside!

8. Invest in gadgets that help kids explore the outdoors

Many additional electronics exist that can allow you to create a summer compromise with your kids. Gadgets like digital cameras and pocket camcorders can be found in less expensive styles for kids. These electronics can help kids explore and capture their surroundings. Encourage them to photograph their summer adventures and help them to create a summer scrapbook album. Additionally, let them use the camera for a scavenger hunt.

9. Provide a good example

As a parent, life is hectic. When you have a second of free time, encourage your kids to go on a bike ride or walk with you or head outdoors to do some light summer reading. Be a role model for your kids and have some outdoor adventures of your own!

10. Have fun!

At the end of the day, no matter how you choose to spend this summer with your kids, make some memories that last a lifetime. Relax, distress, and head outside for some true summer fun in the sun.

Jen Collins is an intern at Mom Central, a college student, and forever a kid at heart.

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