Back when you were a kid, screen time may have meant Saturday morning cartoons or a round of Mario Kart at a friend’s house. These days, digital technology is woven into almost every aspect of learning – from interactive whiteboards and reading apps to cloud-based assignments and even how they collaborate with classmates. For parents and caregivers, it can be tricky to know how much is too much, what’s helpful for learning and how to set healthy screen time boundaries. These expert tips will help you manage your child’s tech use to support their education and create better habits.

Two primary school students sitting on the floor of a classroom, engaging with tablets, surrounded by bookshelves and educational materials.

How to Choose the Right Digital Technology for Kids

It often feels like digital technology is moving faster than parents can keep up. When you’re thinking about updating your kids’ school tech, whether that’s a laptop, tablet, phone or smartwatch, Dr Tiffani Apps, an associate investigator at research centre Digital Child and senior lecturer at the University of Wollongong’s School of Education, recommends focusing on what the tech is for to make your choice.

“Rather than thinking, ‘What is the latest digital technology?’, think about the purpose of having the technology. What are you hoping to achieve? What will your child use it for? Then make your purchasing decisions based on that,” she says.

Many schools require students to bring their own tech for learning, and will often request specific device requirements and software teachers are likely to use. Chatting with your child’s school during transition periods can be particularly helpful, especially when your child is moving from primary to high school. “I always encourage parents to talk to schools. Teachers are quite open to that dialogue,” Dr Apps says.

While the tech requirements for each school vary by school and age group, as a guideline:

  • Tablets are good for younger primary school students, as they’re easy to use, portable and often lower cost.
  • Laptops are usually the preferred choice for high-schoolers.
  • 2-in-1 devices are a touchscreen laptop that can be converted for use as a tablet – these can be a good choice if note-taking is important.

SEE ALSO: The Best School Tech, from Primary to High School‍

Two adults sitting on a couch with two children, engaging with digital devices including tablets and a laptop, with a plant visible in the foreground.

Manage Data and their Digital Footprint

Your child’s digital footprint covers everything they do online, including school platforms and class forums. The way they behave digitally today can shape their future, so it can be helpful to start ongoing open chats with kids about positive, kind interactions and thinking twice before sharing. In Australia, as of 10 December 2025, some social media platforms are not permitted for under‑16s, so guide them towards school‑approved platforms and family‑approved ways to connect.

‍Lynn Gribble, an associate professor at UNSW Business School with a special interest in AI teaching and learning and digital innovation practices, recommends having open conversations about digital technology and its potential long-term impacts. “Children and young people often don't have the experience to understand what their digital footprint might mean down the path. As adults, our role is to ensure that we’re setting them up for something that is yet to be imagined.” Here are her tips for parents to help your child manage their digital footprint:

  • Staying involved in your child’s online world can be positive and collaborative, in ways that suit your family. You could explore age‑appropriate settings, agree on boundaries together and keep conversations open so they know you’re a safe person for questions and chats about responsible online behaviour. 
  • Model responsible digital behaviour where you can. Let your kids know when you’re taking screen‑free time or setting your own boundaries, so they can see you’re working on healthy tech habits, too. It’s not about perfection – just being open and showing that you care.
  • Participate in shared online activities with your child. “If your child wants to make a video, do it together. Instead of posting it online, set up a group chat and send it to just those people in the chat. Be curious and be interested and wonder about things together.” Online puzzles, educational games and watching your child’s favourite videos together helps you stay connected and on their tech level.

SEE ALSO: Shaping Future Careers: How to Prepare Your Kids Now

A primary-school-aged child sitting at a desk with a tablet displaying an educational app, holding a pencil and writing in a notebook, surrounded by colourful stationery in a bright classroom.

AI in Education

AI is making its way into schools and classrooms –it’s embedded in the software and operating systems we use everyday, and now plays a major role in how most users search for information online.

Just as AI is relatively new for many of us, so is the research around its role in education. This presents an opportunity for families to start conversations around safe, practical ways to engage with emerging technologies for learning together. With school AI policies still evolving, it’s also important to check in with your child's teacher and school around AI use, so you can set simple boundaries that support classroom learning.

SEE ALSO: The Benefits of an AI Laptop for Work, Study and Play

Two children sitting on grass outdoors, looking at a tablet, with a blurred background featuring stairs and a seated person.

Build Healthy Screen Time Habits

Between video games, streaming, school work, learning apps, creative projects, e‑books and staying in touch with loved ones, screen time will look different for every family.

To support your child’s learning, Dr Apps recommends a balanced approach that emphasises quality over quantity. “It's about quality interactions as digital technology can be quite pleasurable. Young people experience great pleasure from things like gaming and families often will game together – it can be a great intergenerational activity. Find the activities that your children enjoy and look to create a balance.”

Dr Apps suggests parents “get really purposeful around how you want to use digital technology in your family and set boundaries that are clear and well-communicated”. Importantly, these rules don’t need to be rigid. “Be open to revising them,” she says.

Rather than focusing only on time limits, Dr Apps encourages parents to consider how digital technology can complement learning. “Technologies are really interwoven into our lives, and it's a bit of a distraction focusing only on time, because it distracts us from thinking about the quality experiences that we want.”

What to Try

SEE ALSO: Your Laptop Questions, Answered

This article was originally published in October 2025, and has been updated.