Technology Tips for Parents

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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)
Understanding and Guiding Youth in Online gaming: Webinar, March 5, 2025

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)
Apps to watch out for:

SNAPCHAT allows users to send photos and vides that disappear after they’re received, but pictures don’t completely disappear from a device and users can take a screenshot before an image vanishes
SKOUT is a location-based dating app and website. While users under 17 are unable to share private photos, kids can easily create an account using a different age
X is a networking site for “public” conversations or direct messages. It also has been used for bullying or harassment

OMEGLE lets users chat with strangers through text or video in real-time, with no registration required. While it can be used for casual conversations, users have reported encountering inappropriate content, cyberbullying, explicit material, and even predatory behavior.
INSTAGRAM is a photo/video sharing app. Profiles can be public allowing anyone to see or comment. Teens can create fake accounts to hide content and use the messaging feature
GRINDER is a dating app geared toward gay, bi and transgender people. The app gives users options to chat, share photos and meet up based on a smart phone’s GPS location
WHATSAPP is a messaging app that allows users to send texts, photos, voicemails, make calls and video chats worldwide. The app uses an internet connection on smart phones and computers
BADOO is a dating and social networking app where users can chat, share photos & videos and connect based on location. While the app is for adults, teens are known to create profiles.
ROBLOX is an online gaming platform where users can play games designed by others or create and share their own. Be aware of in-app purchases chat features, “condo” games and using “signs” to communicate if chat is blocked
KIK allows anyone to contact and direct message your child. Kids can bypass traditional text messaging features. KIK gives users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime
HILY is a dating app where users can browse photos, engage in chats, send private videos and more. Based on GPS location of phone, strangers can arrange to meet up locally
DISCORD allows users to talk to friends or strangers in real-time via voice/text or video chat while playing games. Users have seen racial slurs, explicit content, cyberbullying and more
MEETME is a dating social media app that allows users to connect with people based on geographic proximity. As the app’s name suggests, users are encouraged to meet each other in person
WHISPER is an anonymous social network that promotes sharing secrets with strangers. It also reveals a user’s location so people can meet up
MONKEY is a live video chat app that connects users to random strangers worldwide, offering group chat and private message options. Rated for 12+, but has mild sexual content and nudity
AMONG US is a space-themed online multiplayer social game where players can message and chat with each other
ASKFM is known for cyber bullying. The app encourages users to allow people to ask and chat anonymously with them in 40 different languages
HOLLA is a video chat app that allows users to meet people all over the world in seconds
BEST SECRET FOLDER is specifically meant to hide photos and videos. It features password protection, decoy videos and alarm settings
LIVE ME is a live-streaming video app that uses geolocation to share videos so users can find out a broadcaster’s exact location. Users can earn ‘coins’ to pay minors for photos
YIK YAK is a location-based network app to connect with people around your location. It is an anonymous virtual bulletin board known for bullying
CALCULATOR% is only one of several secret apps used to hide photos, videos, files and browser history
REDDIT is a chat/discussion board app. Users can post whatever they want without identity verification. Reviewers have been confronted with racial slurs, explicit content & more

How to limit screen time for children?

How to control access to unsafe adult chat rooms and websites?

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