With the release of The Mind Inside Episode Two, we have kept a focus on mental health and social media in the classroom. While mental health can be a difficult topic to talk about, it’s an important one. 

Knowing that children can be affected in such negative ways online, parents and educators can sometimes feel helpless when it comes to monitoring their students’ social media usage.

Though many feel they have a proper handle on it; others feel like their students’ internet activities have caused them to lose control. 

• How can I ensure my students’ mental health won’t be negatively affected by extra screen time?
• How do I know they are using social media properly?
• How can I enforce social media rules while maintaining a good relationship with my student?

These questions are hard to answer but with help from the Child Mind Institute, parents and educators can find clear tips on how to best monitor their students’ screen time. In the organization’s Media Guidelines for Kids of All Ages, they have information to help kids of every age, from babies to teens. The advice ranges from setting a good example from the beginning to checking in on your student’s online activity without spying.

Because The Mind Inside Episode Two focuses on teens and tweens, we created a simple infographic that focuses on those ages to help parents monitor their child’s screen time while maintaining a trusting relationship, and encourage educators to share these tips with their families. With guidelines and rules in place at home, kids are more likely to succeed in the classroom.