The HCSD curriculum includes developmentally appropriate instruction in the safe and responsible use of technology, as indicated in the table below.  

The following list of curated resources for parents provide practical, age-appropriate strategies and advice for talking with your child about safe and responsible technology use.

• Boston Children's Digital Wellness Lab Family Digital Wellness Guide
  This research-based guide of online resources provides practical, age-appropriate strategies for parents to promote healthy digital habits in their children. Recognizing that digital wellness is an ongoing journey, the guide offers evidence-based insights into the benefits and risks of digital media use, along with practical strategies for supporting children's mental and physical health. It addresses various developmental stages from preschool to adolescence, empowering families to navigate the complexities of technology while fostering a balanced approach to screen time. 
   
• American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan

  Creating a Family Media Plan ca​n help you and your children set media priorities that matter most to your family.  Since media habits are different for every household, the Family Media Plan can be customiz​ed to meet your family's needs. Make a full plan, or just choose a few parts that matter the most to your family.
   

• Harvard University's Center for Digital Thriving
  Harvard University's Digital Thriving initiative emphasizes the importance of having nuanced conversations about our digital lives, provides resources to foster a more balanced and intentional approach to technology, and facilitates better conversations between educators, parents, and children about technology use.

Parental Control Software
Parental control software is an important tool for safeguarding children in today's digital age, providing parents with the ability to monitor, manage, and guide their kids' online activities. By offering features such as content filtering, screen time limits, and app monitoring, these tools help create a safe and balanced digital environment while fostering responsible technology use. The Harrison Central School District shares these resources for informational purposes and does not endorse or recommend the purchase of specific parent control software.

• PC Magazine: The Best Parental Control Software for 2025
• CNET: Best Apps to Help Manage Screen Time
• Connect Safely Parent Guide

Security & Privacy Settings for Common Social Media Apps
Safety and privacy settings are crucial for protecting teens aged 13 to 18 on platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, as they help mitigate risks associated with cyberbullying, online predators, and exposure to inappropriate content. These settings allow teens to control who can view their posts, interact with them, and send direct messages, fostering a more secure and positive online experience. By enabling features such as content moderation, location privacy, and time limits, parents and teens can work together to promote digital responsibility while safeguarding personal information and mental well-being.

Connect Safely
ConnectSafely.org is a trusted resource designed to help parents, educators, and caregivers navigate the complexities of raising children in the digital age. The site offers expert-reviewed guides, practical tips, and comprehensive insights on topics such as online safety, privacy settings, and responsible technology use. With its focus on empowering families to make informed decisions, ConnectSafely.org provides tools and resources to help create a safer, healthier online environment for children and teens.

• ConnectSafely.org
• Connect Safely Parent Guides

Red Light/Blue Light Awareness
Red and blue light play distinct roles in influencing circadian rhythms, which are the body's natural 24-hour cycles governing sleep, wakefulness, and various physiological processes.

• Blue Light Regulates Wakefulness: Prolonged exposure to blue light at night (from screens or artificial lighting) can delay sleep onset and shift the circadian clock, leading to issues like insomnia and sleep phase disorders.
• Red Light Promotes Restfulness: Red light exposure in the evening may help facilitate relaxation and sleep by preserving natural melatonin levels.
• To adjust the red and blue light on an iPhone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Night Shift
• To adjust the red and blue light on an Android phone, go to your phone's Settings > Display > Night Light

Research on Blue Light Effects

• Harvard Medical School: Blue light has a dark side
• National Library of Medicine: The influence of blue light on sleep, performance and wellbeing in young adults: A systematic review