After a quick break from our Super Mamas ZOCIAL, we’re here with a new episode! We’re still under the safer at home order, and we’ve been spending so much time watching tv and online, even after homework and work is done. It got us thinking about one of the last guests we interviewed before the lockdown happened - Rocio Lopez from Common Sense Latino. We decided to rerecord her interview for a better update on how we can have a healthy balance of technology during this newfound time at home.
We talk about setting up screen time schedule and tech free zones, child safety while online, and easy tech tips everyone can use while social distancing. She even shared her top technology tips and some free resources below! Every family and situations is different, so there’s no need to feel shame for extending tech time; luckily Rocio and Common Sense Latino will help us learn how to balance it all!
More about Rocio Lopez: Rocío López is the Community Partnerships Manager for Common Sense Latino and facilitates parent workshops and coaching on healthy media habits and wellbeing in the digital age. She is passionate about working in the community and providing free resources for Latinx families to thrive in this world of media and tech. Rocío regularly does segments on Univision LA about technology and parenting. A theatre teaching artist by trade, she has 15 years of professional experience coordinating youth and family programs in California and New York, as well as developing arts programs for children and foster youth.
Rocio’s Top Tech Tips
1. Set up a screen time schedule for your household. Every child is different, but accommodate their schedule with your work schedule so they coincide.
2. Build in tech free zones and tech free times into your schedule. For example - not technology during meals, in the bed, during exercise, one hour before bedtime etc.
3. Have your kids use their technology in close proximity to you so you can listen and overhear what they’re doing & saying.
4. Be aware of your children’s behavior changes. Are they acting out because of the time they’re spending online (or not spending online)?
LINKS
Learn more about Common Sense Media and the free resources, like technology ratings & reviews for apps, books, games, movies, website and more, and everything else they offer on commonsensemedia.org.
Check out wideopenschool.org, a free resource site for educators and families with kids from kindergarten through 12th grade, for more activities and learning opportunities.
Follow Rocio’s adventures on Instagram or Twitter @itsRocioLopez
Get FREE weekly bite-sized advice and tips right to your text messages, in English or Spanish!! Just text the word KIDS or FAMILIA to 21555
