5 tips for digital parents during the coronavirus pandemic. Advice from Digital Wellness Coach Denise DeRosa on maintaining a happy, or at least livable home.

Parents, let’s use tech the way our kids do, and have a little fun online. It may help us to understand our kids’ screen use and guide them to healthy habits.

It’s that time of year again. The long lazy days of summer are winding down. It’s time for families (grateful parents, disgruntled teens) to get back on a normal schedule, back to work and back to school. It’s also a time for parents to review their kids access to technology. Here are some easy to follow tips for setting reasonable expectations for tech use at home and in school.

Over the past few weeks there have been more stories about people losing their jobs, their admission to elite colleges, or the full potential of their formerly bright futures because of what they posted online. The headline of these stories routinely emphasizes the social media platform on which the offense is shared, as though social media is the problem. It is not.

Technology is so entangled in our lives that we need to consider our tech use when we think about our overall health and wellbeing. Are we using our technology for its intended purpose – as a tool to help us stay connected? If not, are we too dependent on our devices that we isolate ourselves? Think about how you have incorporated social media and smartphones in to your daily life. If you feel out of balance, try these five tips to a healthier digital you.

I had the opportunity recently to see the IndiFlix documentary entitled LIKE, about the impact of social media on our lives. What really impressed me about this treatment of the subject was the lack of judgement. I note this because many news items and programs, especially about kids’ and teens’ relationship with technology, are delivered with a sneer or exasperation at the way the younger generation is focused on their online lives.