Technology Tips for Parents

At the start of the 2023-24 school year, Mission Public schools started developing a new Policy on the use of Technology and a strategy in support of digital wellness, digital literacy, and digital citizenship to give students a foundation and tools to both make technology work for them and make good decisions while they’re using it – whether that’s cell phones, artificial intelligence, social media or more.

In January 2024, the Premier announced a directive expecting schools to include restrictions on the use of cell phones in their codes of conduct.

In May, all boards of education got a ministerial order to include one or more statements restricting student use of personal digital devices at school.

On May 21, 2024, the Mission Public Schools' Board of Education approved Policy 3.8 Use of Technology - Students after open consultation with the Community, Staff, Parents and Students. The reaction to the policy was overwhelmingly positive. To review the feedback, click here.

	Letters from the Superintendent September 3, 2024: For the district families. Read the letter here. June 26, 2024: For the Middle Schools' families. Read the letter here. June 6, 2024: For the district families. Read the letter here.

Letters from the Superintendent

September 3, 2024: For the district families.
Read the letter here.

June 26, 2024: For the Middle Schools' families.
Read the letter here.

June 6, 2024: For the district families.
Read the letter here.

We will be adding curated resources for families with tools, such as how to make a media usage plan to balance screen time, and information that demystifies social media platforms used by youth.

What is....? Information about the Apps, Games and Tools your children are using, created by Common Sense Media
What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)? (Common Sense Media)
The White Hatter - Free Parent Resources about social media and technology
Intimate images, nudes, sexting, deepfakes or sugaring (the White Hatter)
Online Parenting Book (the White Hatter)
Helping Kids Use Smartphones - Made by Telus Wise in partership with MediaSmarts.ca and the Government of Canada (Getcybersafe.ca)
Digital Citizenship for Parents - A Guide developed by MediaSmarts.ca
Digital Literacy and the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education - information for schoolboards, teachers, parents and students
MEDIA SMARTS - Resources for Parents
Family Tech Planners - Use these planners to inspire conversations about tech use as a family. Developed by Common Sense Media.
Talking to Kids about AI: Tips for parents (by Media Smarts)

Digital Identity & Relationships
Covers themes of cyberbullying, digital profiles, and the responsible sharing of digital content. Explores the consequences of our online behaviour.

K–5 Family Tips: Digital Footprint & Identity, Developed by Common Sense Education
K–5 Family Tips: Relationships & Communication, Developed by Common Sense Education
K–12 Family Tips: Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, & Hate Speech, Developed by Common Sense Education
6–12 Family Tips: Digital Footprint & Identity, Developed by Common Sense Education
6–12 Family Tips: Relationships & Communication, Developed by Common Sense Education

Privacy and Security
Includes concepts of data security (passwords/multifactor authentication) and privacy protection (phishing/online scams, clickbait).

K–5 Family Tips: Privacy & Security, Developed by Common Sense Education
6–12 Family Tips: Privacy & Security, Developed by Common Sense Education
GetCyberSafe, Created by the government of Canada to bring awareness about cyber security to all ages

Mental Health and Wellness

Discusses strategies for balancing consumption of digital media and the use of digital devices. Exploration of the ways device use can impact health (physical and mental) and relationships.

Family Tips: Managing Media for Children Age 3-8, Developed by Common Sense Education
K–5 Family Tips: Media Balance & Well-Being, Developed by Common Sense Education
6–12 Family Tips: Media Balance & Well-Being, Developed by Common Sense Education
Video Kids & Tech: How Much is Too Much?
Building Better Tech Habits: A Guide to Digital Well Being (by MediaSmarts)
Social Media: What parents should know (by Canada's Paediatricians)

Age for Introducing Devices:

When should children have a cellphone? At what age?
- VIDEO When to Get a Phone?
  Helping Kids Get a Healthy Start with Phones (mediasmarts.ca)
- Cellphones and Devices: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers (Common Sense Media)
What age is appropriate for a child to play video games?

How to utilize technology for fostering healthy connections for those on the spectrum?

Nurturing the Neurodivergent: Unique Considerations for Youth Screen Use – Children and Screens

Healthy Digital Habits:

How to watch TV healthily?
- Co-viewing with your kids - Tip Sheet (mediasmarts.ca)
How to prevent using a smartphone in bed?
- How to help kids balance phones and screens with sleep
- How are screens affecting my kid's sleep?
How to manage children’s habits around healthy digital habits?
- New Device Family Agreement (mediasmarts.ca)
- What's the best way to manage screen time?
- What is the ideal amount of screen time for different age groups?

Parental Controls & Monitoring:

How to filter inappropriate content on YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, and Google for kids under 18?
- Using Parental Controls (mediasmarts.ca)
- TELUS Wise A guide to popular social media and messaging apps (ctfassets.net)
How to limit screen time for children?
- Four Tips for Managing Your Kids’ Screen Time (mediasmarts.ca)
- Cyber self-care: Prioritizing digital well-being – Get Cyber Safe
How to control access to unsafe adult chat rooms and websites?
- Making the most of parental controls on devices and apps | TELUS
- How to Block Pornography on your child's devices

Cybersecurity & Safety:

How to protect kids from online predators and exploitation?
How to educate kids about spotting scams and untruths online?
How to navigate social media safely?

Education & Communication:

How to have productive conversations with kids about their digital usage?
- 4 Conversations to Have with Older Kids and Teens About Their Screen Time Habits | Common Sense Media
How to discuss sharing photos safely among peers?
- Someone shared my Photo Online without my consent (mediasmarts.ca)

Balancing Digital & Real Life:

How to move kids’ attention from playing video games to other activities?
- Managing video game playing in the home (mediasmarts.ca)

Resources & Support:

What are recommended resources or tools for parents to learn more about digital wellbeing?
- Tutorial – Parenting the Digital Generation EN (mediasmarts.ca)
- TELUS Wise A guide to popular social media and messaging apps (ctfassets.net)
What tools are available to monitor, restrict, and filter internet browsing for kids?
- Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls | Common Sense Media
- Making the most of parental controls on devices and apps | TELUS

*We are adding information & resources as we become aware of them. We shared many of the above curated resources with the help and permission of the Burnaby School district.

​Letters from the Superintendent

Letters from the Superintendent