Helping Kids (and Parents) Find Balance With Technology This School Year
As families settle into the new school year, many parents are juggling not only homework, activities, and busy schedules but also the growing challenge of managing technology in their children’s lives. Smartphones, social media, and gaming are part of everyday life for students—and while they can be valuable tools, they can also be sources of distraction, stress, and conflict at home.
Two recently published books offer timely, practical guidance for parents who want to help their children develop healthy digital habits:
1. 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World by Jean M. Twenge
Drawing from decades of research on generational trends, Twenge provides parents with concrete rules to set boundaries around screen use without feeling unrealistic or punitive. Her advice focuses on reclaiming family time, improving children’s sleep and mental health, and fostering in-person connections. Parents will find her “rules” clear, actionable, and grounded in data—making them especially relevant as students face the increased demands of the school year.
2. Do Not Disturb: How to Say No to Your Phone by Brad Marshall and Lindsay Hassock
This book takes on the issue from a slightly different angle: empowering kids and teens to recognize the hold their devices can have on them, and equipping parents to guide conversations about self-regulation. With practical strategies, relatable stories, and a focus on building resilience, Marshall and Hassock provide families with tools to encourage healthier technology choices—without constant battles.
Together, these books offer a balanced approach: one grounded in rules and boundaries, the other in mindset and self-awareness. For parents eager to support their children’s success this school year—academically, socially, and emotionally—they may prove to be valuable resources.
As the demands of school ramp up, these insights can help families find a healthier balance between technology and real life, setting the stage for a productive and connected year ahead.