I shared my “Word for 2025” last week, but I am still thinking about the year ahead. I know in school-life the real new year starts in September, but January is a good time to reset and reassess. And just as we do that in school, I know it is happening in homes as well.
As we step into a new calendar year, it’s the perfect time for a refresh—a moment to reflect, reset, and renew our family routines. For parents navigating the complexities of raising children in today’s digital age, this moment feels particularly significant. And with the added layer of AI, this navigation is only getting more complex.
We live in a world where technology is seamlessly woven into the fabric of daily life. Devices offer connection, knowledge, and opportunities that previous generations could only dream of. Yet, they also pose challenges—especially for families trying to strike a balance between purposeful technology use and the very human need for physical activity, meaningful connections, and mindful living.
At school, we have been working hard to foster that balance. We’ve set limits on cell phone usage in schools across BC, not because we are anti-technology, but because we believe in purposeful use (Here is an infographic we have shared out this week in schools). What does this look like in practice? Students using computers to create digital portfolios of their work, collaborating on shared documents for group projects through Google Classroom, or using educational apps to practice math skills—all while maintaining dedicated time for physical activity, face-to-face discussions, and hands-on learning. These boundaries ensure our students’ well-being and physical literacy remain priorities. But this is not a task schools can do alone. As I have written before, physical literacy and AI are side by side as key areas for innovation in West Vancouver.
Parents play a crucial role in shaping how their children navigate technology. As we rethink routines this January, let’s remember that our children are always watching. They notice when we set aside our phones during dinner, when we prioritize outdoor family activities, and when we engage in face-to-face conversations. Modeling thoughtful technology habits isn’t just important—it’s transformational. At school events, it is often adults who demonstrate the poorest cell phone etiquette.
Over the break a colleague of mine showed me an interesting iPhone feature. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time>See All Activity. Scroll down to the area titled “pickups”. This number is how many times you have picked up your phone that day. It’s not just the kids who might be a little too attached to their screens. Give it a try and be ready for a reality check!
This January reset calls for thoughtful conversations. Rather than banning or blindly embracing tech, engage your children with questions that promote intentional use: How does this app support your learning goals? What boundaries would help you balance screen time with other activities you enjoy? When do you feel most creative and focused while using technology? These conversations can help children develop critical thinking about their digital habits.
As a parent, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—a commitment to staying engaged and aware as technology evolves. It’s about setting expectations that align with your family values, being open to learning from your kids, and creating a culture where tech is a tool, not a master. I know I used to HATE my kids playing video games, but now I realize they can often be a point of connection with friends out of school time.
In schools, we’ll continue to champion purposeful technology use while ensuring students’ physical and emotional development is front and centre. But as we know, what happens at home matters just as much. Together, we can guide our kids to be confident, capable, and thoughtful digital citizens.
Around our office, we have a walking club once a week at lunch and staff have started a run club to train for a race in March. We are keenly aware that we need to model getting outside and modeling good practices with our own health.
Here’s your January challenge: Choose one area of family technology use to reset. Maybe it’s establishing device-free dinner times, setting up a family charging station outside bedrooms, or planning weekly outdoor activities. Start small, stay consistent, and celebrate progress. This is the year to refresh, reset, and reimagine what it means to parent in the digital age.
I used both Chat GPT and Claude in the editing process and the image at the top of the post is also AI generated.
