Dear HMS parents, guardians, and caregivers,

We hope this message finds you well. April vacation is just one week away! In this update you will find information about technology. We hope to provide more regular resources for families as you navigate technology use in your home.

Our next HMS Update will be shared on May 2, 2025. Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Be in touch with any questions or concerns.

With Gratitude,

Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell

HMS Administrative Team

The following information is from Common Sense Media and provides parents and guardians with tips focused on what they can do to support healthy technology use at home.

What You Can Do: Build Your Digital Parenting Confidence

Start by focusing on what you can control, instead of what you can't. This means:

• Learn the basics about the platforms your kids are using and the digital spaces they're in. This means understanding enough to have meaningful conversations and recognize concerns—you don't need to become an expert.

• Get familiar with safety tools like privacy settings and parental controls. Knowing how these work helps you create safer digital spaces for your kids while still giving them room to grow.

• Stay informed about digital safety through reliable sources like Common Sense Media and the HealthyChildren.org.

• Create family guidelines together that can change as your kids get older. Think of these as flexible boundaries that grow with your children, not strict rules set in stone.

• Take it one step at a time. Pick one thing that matters most to you right now and focus there. Once you feel comfortable, you can tackle something else. This helps everyone feel more confident and less overwhelmed.

Practice Healthy Digital Boundaries

When we're anxious about our children's digital safety, it's tempting to create strict rules or constantly monitor their activity. While this might feel like the safest approach, it can sometimes undermine their ability to build trust and confidence in navigating their digital world. But setting balanced boundaries helps both you and your children feel more secure and capable. Try limits that make sense to your family, like:

• Creating device-free times and spaces. Start with simple steps, like no phones during meals or in bedrooms at night.

• Establishing clear expectations by explaining the "why" behind your family's tech guidelines.

• Making rules that fit your family's values and needs. This means understanding that what works in one home might not work in another. The best rules are ones that actually work for your family's real situation and your kid's individual needs.

• Allowing some independence—as children demonstrate responsibility, you can gradually adjust the rules based on their actions, not just their age. This could look like extending screen time when homework is consistently completed, or allowing new apps after they show good judgment with the current ones.

• Adjusting boundaries based on experience, rather than fear. Focus on what actually works for your family, instead of reacting to every concerning headline. When something isn't working, talk about it together and make changes that address real issues, rather than hypothetical worries.

Have Productive Conversations

Talking about technology doesn't have to be stressful. When we create an environment where kids feel comfortable sharing, we worry less because we know what's actually happening in their digital lives.

• Point out both the good and the tricky parts of technology. Maybe TikTok helps your teen learn new dance moves, but it can also make them feel bad about how they look. Having balanced conversations helps kids think critically.

• Ask open questions about what your kids do online, just like you'd ask about their day at school. Try "What's your favorite game to play with your friends?", "What do you like about this app?"

• Listen without judgment or criticism when kids share concerns. If they tell you about something uncomfortable they saw online, thank them for telling you and stay calm while you work through it together.

• Talk about online safety the same way you discuss looking both ways when crossing the street or wearing a helmet. Approach them as typical, everyday habits that help keep us safe, instead of rules based in fear.

• Keep conversations going by showing you're interested in their digital world, even if it's not your thing. When kids know they can talk to you about small things, they're more likely to come to you with big concerns.

When to Seek Support

Signs you might need additional help:

• Your technology worries interfere with daily life

• Digital decisions regularly create family conflict

• Anxiety prevents you from setting reasonable boundaries

• You feel unable to adapt rules as your children grow

• Your concerns are affecting your children's healthy development

Consider professional support if your anxiety feels unmanageable, like consulting a social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist, whether online or in person. Some accessible resources include:

• National Crisis Hotline: 988

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

• Your healthcare provider, your child's health care provider, or school counselor

It is time to start thinking about our spring assessments. HMS students will participate in the Maine Through Year assessments on the following dates: May 6 (Math) and May 8 (Reading).

In addition, our 8th-grade students will participate in the annual Maine Science Assessments on May 14 and May 15.

Dates to Date:

April 18-27: April vacation - no school

May 2: Career Fair

May 12: 7th and 8th Grade Spring Concerts

May 13: 6th Grade Spring Concerts