Back to school with AT&T technology tips

August 30, 9:13 PMParenting ExaminerKaren Deerwester

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Back to school presents new challenges for parents staying connected to kids and for parent peace of mind.  AT&T has compiled this helpful list of tips to help parents create a safe environment for kids using technology. 

• Use texting as a quick way to "KIT". Speak your kids' language and use texting to easily keep in touch on school days.  Text messaging provides an instant, easy way to get messages to each other at a moment's notice - for example, "will be there to pick u up in 20 min" or "staying after school 2day 4 band practice".
• Know your kids' schedules and after-school activities.  AT&T, for example, offers FamilyMap to locate a family member's phone from a web browser on a PC or a mobile device.  Parents can easily verify that everyone's where they need to be at a given time.
• Set boundaries to balance texting with homework.  Texting is great for social times but a huge distraction during homework times.  Teaching children to use technology responsibility is an educational and personal skill.  AT&T has an online tool for a monthly fee that allows parents to set limits on their child's cell phone use, such as number of text and instant messages a child can send, or the time of day the phone can be used for web browsing, messaging and outbound calling.
• Talk to your child about online safety.  Children have access to the Internet at home to conduct research or to stay connected with classmates and friends.  Make sure you educate your children about the consequences of sharing private information online or communicating with people they don't know.  Explain that they never open messages from unknown senders or give out email information without permission to avoid spam and viruses.
• Teach your child how to dial for help in an emergency.  Discuss dialing 9-1-1 if something were to happen at home.  Keep a list of emergency numbers in a central location in the home and on your child's cell phone. 

Thanks AT&T for responding to the unique challenges of kids and technology!  Wishing everyone a happy and easy school year.