{"id":94804,"date":"2019-03-30T07:10:14","date_gmt":"2019-03-30T14:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=94804"},"modified":"2025-08-25T08:12:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T15:12:26","slug":"10-ways-to-help-your-family-break-bad-tech-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/10-ways-to-help-your-family-break-bad-tech-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Help Your Family Break Bad Tech Habits"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"A new study<\/a> from Pew Research confirms our collective hunch that 95% of teens now report they have a smartphone and that 45% of teens now say they are always online. No shock there. The finding that is far more worrisome? That despite this dramatic digital shift over the past decade, parents are divided on whether today\u2019s teens face a set of issues completely different than the issues of their youth.<\/p>\n

When asked to compare the experiences of today\u2019s teens to their own experiences when they were a teen, 48% of parents surveyed said today\u2019s teens have to deal with a completely different set of issues. Likewise, 51% said that despite some differences, the issues young people deal with today is not that different from when they were teenagers.<\/p>\n

This number is alarming from both a parenting perspective and a digital safety perspective. It means that while we\u2019ve made incredible progress in our digital awareness and how to raise kids in this unique culture, a lot of parents are still woefully\u00a0behind in their\u00a0thinking.\u00a0(Seriously: Could our experience as teens\u00a0\u2014 minus the internet and smartphones \u2014\u00a0be any more different than the experience of today\u2019s digital natives?)<\/p>\n

Distracted Parents, Distracted Kids<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In trying to understand this reality gap, the survey offered up another morsel of insight: That parents themselves are as distracted as kids when it comes to reliance on devices. Yep!\u00a0As worried as parents say they are about the amount of time their teen spends online, parents\u2019 digital behavior isn\u2019t exactly praiseworthy. The survey found that 59% of parents say they at least sometimes feel obligated<\/em> to respond to cell phone messages immediately, while 39% admit they regularly lose focus at work<\/em> because they\u2019re checking their mobile device and 36% say they spend too much time on their cell phone.<\/p>\n

Reality Check<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If half of us genuinely believe that our kids are growing up with issues similar to ours as teens (only with strange devices in their hands), and if we are telling our kids to lead balanced digital lives but our digital habits are off the rails, then \u2014 if we’re honest \u2014 we\u2019ve got some serious <\/em>work to do as parents.<\/p>\n

How do we begin to shift these numbers in favor of our family\u2019s digital health? How do we move from technology leading our family to the other way around?<\/p>\n

Like any significant change, we begin at home \u2014 with the truth \u2014 and move forward from there.\u00a0We\u2019ve got this!<\/p>\n

10 Ways to Improve Your Family Tech Habits<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Own your stuff.\u00a0<\/strong>Let\u2019s get real. Change begins with acknowledging our personal responsibility in what isn\u2019t working. If your own screen time is out of control<\/a> and you are trying to set healthy digital habits for your family \u2014 that contradiction is going to undermine your success. Take a look at your screen time habits, admit to the bad habits, and establish fresh tech goals moving forward.<\/li>\n
  2. No shame zone.<\/strong> We know about establishing device-free zones in the home such as the dinner table, movie time, and the bedroom at night. Consider a no shame zone \u2014 the understanding that no one is made to feel shame for his or her not-so-great tech habits. It\u2019s hard to move forward toward new goals if we beat ourselves up for the past, compare ourselves to others, or are made to feel like the bad guy for falling short. Acknowledge bad habits, discuss them openly, and help one another do better in the future. Your chances of success double when you have a team supporting you.<\/li>\n
  3. Stick to a device curfew.<\/strong> Try a device curfew \u2014 say 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. \u2014 when devices are turned off and put into a drawer (yes, you have to get this<\/em> intentional). A curfew increases face-to-face family interaction and creates space for non-device activities. It specifically reduces the temptation to habitually check your phone, get lost scrolling on Instagram, and getting sucked back into work emails. More importantly, it models for your kids that you don\u2019t have to check your phone constantly, which has countless emotional and physical benefits.<\/li>\n
  4. Be realistic with changes.<\/strong> The goal is to reduce your tech and strike a balance that complements \u2014 rather than conflicts with \u2014 your family\u2019s lifestyle and wellbeing. We know that technology is now an ever-present part of family life so cutting it out completely is neither beneficial nor realistic. Achieving a healthy tech balance is an on-going process. Some days you will fare than others. The goal is to make progress (not perfection) toward a healthier, more balanced\u00a0relationship with your technology. Going haywire with rules and consequences won\u2019t get you there faster. Discuss as a family what changes need to be made and brainstorm ways to get there. Set some realistic goals that everyone can achieve and maintain not just in the short-term but also as a lifestyle.<\/li>\n
  5. Turn off notifications.<\/strong> This is a small, powerful act that can transform your digital life. Getting pop up notifications for apps, emails, texts, calendar events, social media actions \u2014 you name it \u2014 might be your normal for you but far from beneficial. So, turn them all off. I dare you.<\/li>\n
  6. Filter content.<\/strong> Tech balance isn\u2019t just about less tech; it\u2019s also about monitoring the content that flows into your home from the other side of the screen. You can turn off your family\u2019s devices for 23 hours a day and if the content\u00a0you allow into your home for that remaining one hour<\/em> isn\u2019t age-appropriate or conflicts with your family\u2019s values and tech goals, then that one hour has tremendous influence. Take the time to explore filtering options<\/a> that allow you to set time limits on your child\u2019s (and your) technology, block dangerous websites and apps, and helps you strike a healthy tech balance that reflects your family\u2019s lifestyle and needs. Roll up your sleeves: Co-view movies, go through apps and video games and discuss the issues that arise around the media your kids consume.<\/li>\n
  7. Be the parent.<\/strong> Kids crave consistency and leadership from parents.\u00a0No matter what age your child may be, as a parent, you are the most influential person in your child\u2019s life. You pay the bills. You can shut devices and routers off \u2014 regardless of the tantrum level. Your opinion matters on video games, media, apps, friend groups, and content. Don\u2019t let your child’s emotional protests keep you from parenting well and establishing and enforcing good tech habits. If you think your child has a technology addiction<\/a> issue trust that instinct and take action.<\/li>\n
  8. \"\"Get a plan, work it.\u00a0<\/strong>We all nod when we read this but who has done it? You can\u2019t get where you are going without a map. Put a family tech plan in place (with group input) and stick to it. Ideas to consider: Phone free zones, device curfew, chores and responsibilities, physical activity vs. screen time, social media behavior,\u00a0tech security rules<\/a>, TV viewing time, video game time limits, content guidelines, and expectations. If you discover that your tech plan isn\u2019t working, zero in and make adjustments.<\/li>\n
  9. Rediscover real life \u2014 together.<\/strong> Maybe you\u2019ve gotten in some bad habits over the years. Don\u2019t beat yourself up. Just decide to change things up moving forward. It\u2019s never too late to change your family vibe. Explore new things together \u2014 nature, art classes, concerts, camping \u2014 anything that helps you disconnect from technology and reconnect to each other and real life.<\/li>\n
  10. Keep. On. Talking.<\/strong> Sure you\u2019ve said it before, so what? Make the conversation about digital issues a priority in your home. Ask your kids what\u2019s going on with their friend groups and online. Talk about tech issues in the news. Talk about the health and emotional issues\u00a0<\/a>connected to excessive tech use. According to your child\u2019s age, talk about the stuff that\u2019s tough to talk about talking about like cyberbullying, suicide, self-harm, body image, and sexting. A good rapport with your child is the most powerful tool you have as a parent today.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Remember,\u00a0technology is a tool not a way of life. Healthy screen habits begin parents who are grounded in reality and who model healthy screen habits themselves. Times have changed, there are challenges to be sure but stay the course parent: You’ve got the tools and\u00a0the tenacity you need to get in front of those challenges and equip our kids to live wise, balanced digital lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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