Parents set example on how to use media wisely

Working out and eating right are at the top of most people's New Year's resolutions.

As tough as those are, nothing compares with the challenge of a healthy media diet. There are screen-time limits to manage, new apps to investigate, bizarre social media trends to make sense of and, don't forget, plenty more Pokemon to catch. It's like a 24-hour, all-you-can-eat buffet when all you really want is a carrot stick. But in a world where parents and children are racking up serious screen time, making a commitment to a healthy media environment is critical for family time, learning, relationships and digital citizenship.

It won't always be easy to make your media resolutions stick. Especially because parents tend to gobble up as much screen time as their kids. Unlike those midnight-snack runs after the kids go to bed, however, parental media habits are being recorded by tiny ears and eyes. But we're all in this together: This fun, crazy, innovative, challenging media environment affects us all. So whether you're turning over a new leaf or trying to stay the course, our 2017 media resolutions can help you be more mindful, focus on what's most important, get the most out of media and technology, and raise good digital citizens.

Here are a few media resolutions for 2017:

• Have a device-free dinner. Piles of research show the benefits of family dinner. But the simple act of leaving your devices off the table -- just a few times a week -- allows you to model good digital habits.

• When it comes to media, think quality, not quantity. Instead of counting up every minute your kid spends watching YouTube, strive for a balance of online and offline activities throughout the week. Help your kids find high-quality movies, TV shows, apps, games and books so their screen time has some nutritional value.

mUse media for relationship strengthening. While there are concerns that media isolates us, it can also bring us together. Try video-chatting, scrolling through digital photo albums, playing video games and even sharing music playlists to bond with your kids.

• Don't ban, have a plan. Keep an open mind about your kids' media and tech use, and accept the important -- and often beneficial -- role they play in your kids' lives. Create a family media plan to ensure that kids stick to limits. Encourage them to behave positively online. Talk to them about what they watch, play, create and read.

• Seek out diverse characters. Exposure to a variety of types of people increases tolerance and acceptance and dispels dangerous stereotypes. Being able to get along with all types of people is a skill that will help children whether they're interacting online or in the real world. Have a family movie night and watch TV shows with diverse characters, movies with strong female characters or movies with good role models for boys.

• Raise media-savvy children. If 2016 was the year fake news went viral, make 2017 the year your kids learn how to view all media (not just "news") critically. Explain how to see through fake news, and teach children media smarts during breaking news.

• Tighten your privacy. Our increasingly connected world puts children's personal privacy and online data at risk. The ability to share anything at any time can be especially dicey to 'tweens and teens who may not be able to think through all the ways their posts can be used by others. Make sure kids use strict privacy settings on social media, apps and other accounts, and make sure they know not to share personal information (name, age, address, Social Security number) with people they meet online.

Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization offering ratings and advice for families making media and technology choices. Check out its ratings and recommendations at commonsense.org.

Family on 01/11/2017

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