Technology at Home

[ Guidance Regarding Technology Use ] [ Using Technology in the Home ]
[ Internet Safety ]

The following resources are listed here to help parents and caregivers find information on best practices regarding technology use with young children in the home.

Guidance Regarding Technology Use

Common Sense Media Common Sense Media includes advice for parents suggestions, appropriate use of media by age, website reviews, Internet Safety and reports, such as Zero to Eight: Children's Media Use in America. Computers: Are they good for young children? Gives suggestions for computer use by children aged 3-5, including time limits, monitoring use, choosing software, extending learning, and others. Provides links to several URLs about young children and computers. PBS Parents’ Children and Media Page offers resources, guidance on the use of a variety of media, including Computers , and suggestions on pages such as Creating with Media. PBS Parents also offers technology ideas in other parts of their site, such as "Clicking" with Children: Computers and Young Children. Online Worlds for Young Kids: Tips Discusses the appropriateness of online worlds, sites where kids create their own identity and interact with others, for young children.  Tips for parents on how to help children use them appropriately. Parental Guidance on Web Video for Children This NY Times articles discusses ways parents can protect their children on sites that videos are uploaded to, such as youtube.

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Using Technology in the Home

The American Library Association's Great Websites for Kids Librarian-reviewed websites in all categories (animals, sciences, history, etc). Sites are tagged by age appropriateness. ECETECH bookmarks- The NAEYC Tech & Young Children Interest Forum’s social bookmarking group where new websites of interest are posted and shared. Moms with Apps "A group of family-friendly developers" provide a blog with information on making and marketing apps for children browsable by area (travel, fun & creativity, reading, etc) or keyword searchable. Includes a large section of apps for children with special needs. National Geographic Video National Geographic’s quality videos for children deal with a range of topics, from recycling to animals, with funny videos as well. Leading to Reading A project of Reading is Fundamental, this website offers online literacy activities for young children that families can enjoy together. Wonderopolis- supported by the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), looks to help families find the learning moments and “wonder” in everyday life by sharing information about a “wonder of the day” and supporting activities.

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Internet Safety

Childnet International Provides general safety advice for parents and a fact sheet about internet safety. The home page connects to a variety of Internet safety projects and resources. GetNetWise Keeping Kids Safe Online Identifies Internet dangers, links for reporting trouble, tips for choosing safety tools. Hectors World This is an educational program for children aged 2-9 years which offers an undersea world in which to learn and play. The parents page provides an overview of the program objectives which include digital citizenship, virtual worlds and the role of advertisement on children’s websites. The Internet and Your Family by American Academy of Pediatrics Explains Internet terminology and uses, sites to visit, and cautions for parents. Microsoft: Online Safety: Protect your family A “Consumer Online Safety Education” site contains safety tips and guidelines. Netfamily News Covers a variety of topics such as online safety and privacy news and tools, new technologies and Web resources for kids, research about kids' use of digital media and the Net, legislation affecting children's online experience, school and library Net-use policy,  and how Web-literate kids, parents, and teachers are using the Internet. Netsafe Covers various topics includeing cyberbullying, computer security, education resources, consumer protection and policy advice/development. SafeKids.Com Guidelines for Internet, chat room and blogging safety; a link to CyberTipLine for making reports.

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