CENTER GROVE PARENT UNIVERSITY

Center Grove's Parent University is a one-stop shop for Center Grove parents and guardians to learn about important topics, find resources, and get practical tips to help them navigate our schools.

TECHNOLOGY 101

Keeping kids safe online can be a daily challenge for parents. We have compiled practical methods for managing parental controls and screen time, while providing communication strategies to build digital trust with children.

The Tech Talk: Keeping Your Kids Safe Online - Webinar (4/28/26)

Parental Controls

Set up device-level parental controls on smartphones
- Downtime (no devices overnight)
- App limits
- Content restrictions
Set up parental controls on gaming systems
- Block games by rating
- Restrict communication settings
- Limit time spent playing

**TIP: Stay involved. Know what games/apps your child is using. Monitoring without conversation isn't enough, trust is built through communication.

Apple Products

Android Products

Technology Boundaries

BOUNDARIES TO CONSIDER:

Make bedrooms & mealtime device-free
Turn off screens during family time
Keep expectations consistent
Create rules WITH your child
Count educational screen time separately from recreational screen time (Passive entertainment vs. purposeful learning)

**TIP: Focus on routines, rather than punishment. Frame this as building healthy habits, not restricting fun.

Maximum Recreational Screen Time

GRADES K-2: 1 Hour Each Day
- Quality and co-viewing matter most. Watch together and talk about what they're seeing
GRADES 3-5: 1.5 Hours Each Day
- This is a good age to introduce a family media plan and involve kids in setting their own screen boundaries.
GRADES 6-8: 2 Hours Each Day
- When social media enters the picture, the conversation shifts from "how long" to "what are you doing online and with whom."
GRADES 9-12: No Fixed Limit
- The goal is self-regulation, not policing. Help them audit their own habits against sleep, mood, grades, and relationships.

Apple Products

Android Products

GOOGLE PRODUCTS

Click on the puzzle piece & in the upper right
- A drop-down menu will open
Click on "Manage Extensions"
Click on "Chrome Webstore" on the left
- A search bar will open.
Search "Blocksite"
BlockSite will open (it is a featured and verified site)
Click "Add to Chrome"

SETTING WEBSITE BLOCKING:

Conversation Starters

TOPICS TO CONSIDER

Who is your favorite influencer on social media, or what is your favorite online game?
What did you think of the recent story about [sports team/celebrity/influencer that your child is interested in]?
Can you show me how your favorite app/ game works?
How do you stay connected with your friends online?
What app do you use the most, and if you don't use the app, how would it affect you?
Expectation versus Reality: This is how I think you spend your time online...
Ok, let's switch roles. What advice could you give me about being better online?
What rules do you think we should have in place about using the internet?

HOW TO APPROACH THE CONVERSATION

Be Curious, not Critical
Embrace the Positives
Stay Calm, Don't Overreact
Share Your Own Stories
Discover the Internet Together
Keep it Relevant

PARENT TOOLS & TIPS

Center Grove uses several apps and websites to connect with families. Below are links and information about how each one works.

School & district-approved flyers
View events and opportunities for students
Sent via email and accessible online
Click here to learn more information

Click below to access PeachJar for each school:

PICKUP PATROL

SKYWARD

PARENT RESOURCE LINKS

Center Grove has compiled links to resources and information that may be helpful to families. Each icon below is linked to a page with additional information.