Coffee County Children's Advocacy Center Shares Summer Tech Safety Tips for Families

As summer begins and children spend more time online and on their devices, the Coffee County Children's Advocacy Center is encouraging parents and guardians to take proactive steps to ensure their kids stay safe in the digital world. Through a recent social media post, the organization shared important "Tips for Summer Tech Safety," offering guidance to help families navigate the challenges of technology use during the break from school.

The post highlights several key strategies to help parents manage their children’s technology use responsibly. First, it encourages families to get tech savvy by becoming familiar with the apps and social media platforms their children are using. By understanding how these tools work and who their kids are connecting with, caregivers can stay more involved and better protect their children from potential online threats.

Families are also urged to surf smart by using tools that restrict access to inappropriate content and monitor changes in settings. This approach can help prevent children from stumbling onto harmful or age-inappropriate websites.

To promote healthier device habits, the Advocacy Center suggests parents be wireless smart by installing “sleep” functions that automatically send calls to voicemail during certain hours, helping children get the rest they need without late-night distractions.

In addition to internet use, parents should also watch smart by filtering movies and programming based on age-appropriate ratings, violence, and sexual content. The organization advises parents to talk smart by teaching kids proper phone etiquette, especially when using landlines or answering unfamiliar calls.

Perhaps most importantly, the Coffee County Children's Advocacy Center recommends that parents set limits—establishing clear rules about screen time and consistently enforcing them to encourage balance between online and offline activities.

The organization emphasizes that while technology offers many opportunities for learning and connection, it also requires guidance and supervision to ensure a safe and positive experience for children. For more detailed tips and tools, families are encouraged to visit att.net/smartcontrols.

With these practical steps, the Coffee County Children's Advocacy Center hopes to help families create safer, more mindful digital environments this summer.