Even with just access to a cellphone and a strong WiFi signal, there are endless things to do. Whether those things include simple game apps or something a little more

dangerous depends on the amount of freedom your child has. 

Limiting your kid's freedom doesn't make you the bad guy. Depending on their age, your children should have clear guidelines about what sites

they are allowed to visit, what apps they are allowed to download, and who they are allowed to speak with. 

You don't have to stand over their shoulder reading all

of their text messages or viewing their every move, nor should you. But, you should certainly enforce the limits so that they are understood and followed. 

Everyone wants what they can't have. This is especially true when it comes to kids and their tech. Everyday at school, on the playground, even at their out of class

activities, they see their peers being able to enjoy the freedom to use their cellphones and tablets. 

If you are constantly taking those things away from them without reason or

allowing them very little freedoms, you run the risk of forcing your child to sneak around. 

Kids need restrictions when it comes to everything and their tech is no different.

But prohibiting use altogether could lead to disaster. 

A lot of times, we get so caught up in the flash of your laptops, phones, and tablets that we completely forget all the other amazing things technology can do

for us. 

If you want your kids to have a broader understanding of tech and an appreciation of its reach outside of Facebook and text messages, you have to teach

them. 

Show them the different ways that technology is changing the world. From human connection to medical advancements. Make sure that your child doesn't take their access to something so

amazing for granted. 

"No screen" times are beneficial for everyone in the family. Whether you are only able to designate that time at dinner or are able to set aside a couple hours

every day, you and your kids will be better for it. 

Allow your children to enjoy themselves without the presence of their tech. Go on a nice hike, make a

meal together, even just playing with the dog will allow you to do this. 

Giving them the chance to leave their phones behind for a little while will show them

that being without tech for a bit doesn't signal the end of the world. 

A huge part of growing up involves making mistakes and learning from them. Forgetting about a test or spending too much of your allowance are mistakes than kids make often. 

When it comes to technology, the mistakes we make can have much bigger consequences than anticipated. Nothing ever completely disappears from the internet. Pictures, tweets, bad decisions tend to stick around even

after they are deleted. A child's mistakes, once a metric for future learnings, can now possibly follow them.

Teach your kids that what they do online has consequences that can

follow them even in the "real world".

From the time that they are extremely young to well into their teen years, your kids will use your actions as an example of the ways they should lead their

own lives.

If you want your kids to use technology in a responsible way, you have to show them that you do too. 

This means keeping your use of it

during family times to a minimum and learning from your own mistakes when it comes to responsible usage.