Parenting in a Digital Age: Practical Tips for Families from Mary of Nazareth Elementary School
Earlier this week I had the privilege of speaking virtually with the parents of Mary of Nazareth Elementary School in Maryland about one of the most important parenting challenges today: raising kids in a connected world. My presentation, Parenting in a Digital Age, focused on helping families understand the realities of technology while giving them practical tools they can use right away.
Technology isn’t going away, and for many children it’s deeply woven into their social lives, education, and entertainment. But with that opportunity comes real concerns. During the presentation we discussed the digital parenting strategies for families that can help protect kids while still allowing them to benefit from technology.
One of the biggest topics parents asked about was screen time and mental health. Research continues to show that excessive or unstructured screen use can impact sleep, mood, and attention. Instead of focusing only on limits, I encouraged parents to focus on structure. For example:
- Kids need to earn screen time (chores done first, play outside first, homework done. etc)
- Have screen time limits per day
- Establish device-free times (such as during meals and before bed)
- Keep devices out of bedrooms at night
- Model healthy tech habits as adults
- Use screens intentionally rather than automatically
These simple digital parenting strategies for families help create healthier technology habits for both children and adults.
We also discussed age-appropriate guidance for screen use. Younger children benefit from more direct supervision and limits, while older students need conversations about online reputation, cyber safety, and digital responsibility. Communication is one of the most powerful tools parents have. Kids are much more likely to talk about online problems when they know they won’t immediately lose their devices.
Another key takeaway from the evening was that technology conversations should start earlier than most parents think. By late elementary school, many children are already interacting with social platforms, games with chat features, and messaging apps. This is why schools increasingly bring in speakers to address these topics.
For schools across the region looking to support families, I offer digital citizenship speaker programs in Maryland schools for students in grades 4–12, along with parent education programs like the one hosted by Mary of Nazareth Elementary. These presentations are designed to be engaging, practical, and easy for families to apply at home.
If you were unable to attend the live event, don’t worry. A recorded version of the Parenting in a Digital Age presentation is available below. Simply use the access code provided by your school. The recording will be available for 60 days, and it also includes additional links to helpful resources for parents.
Raising kids in today’s digital world can feel overwhelming at times. But with the right information, open communication, and a few practical structures in place, families can help their children develop healthy and responsible technology habits.
Thank you again to the Mary of Nazareth school community for the opportunity to support your families.
Additional Resources
Presentation for Parents of Mary of Nazareth Catholic School
Helpful Resources
