This article was updated 5th September 2023.

How many digital devices are in your house? If you said close to 20, then, congratulations, you've hit the national average. Research by Statista found the typical number of internet-connected devices per Australian household in 2021 was 20.5. Yes, 20! 

We’re relying on our tech gadgets for everything from grocery shopping and paying bills to watching movies and playing games, as well as the BYODs kids need for school. But kids can be accident-prone and new tech can be a considerable outlay for a family. So what’s the answer? Make their gadgets last longer with these handy tips to teach kids the art of caring for digital devices.

Tip #1: Always Use a Protective Case or Cover

Tween boy lying on floor using digital devices, including a laptop and tablet

Nobody likes a cracked phone screen or a dent in their tablet or computer. “But kids will always be kids and, depending on their age, they’ll have accidents,” says Charlie Hales, a mother of two and managing director APAC at Waterstons Australia, a cyber-security and tech-support business. “I always advise people to buy protective cases and covers as soon as possible. I can vouch they are worth it – they make devices practically indestructible for little kids!” 

Thomas Olson, a father of three and senior project manager, agrees: “In our house we use rubber cases for tablets and hard cases for laptops. They get the job done. I’ve also taught my kids to close the covers when they’re finished and to put devices away with the screen facing up, to prevent scratches.” 

Protective cases made from silicon or rubber are durable and shock-absorbing. Hard cases are designed to be tough and rugged, to withstand any bumps, drops and knocks that may occur. No matter what you choose, a case or a cover is a really good idea, helping to protect your tech gadgets from water, dust and static as well.

What To Try:

Officeworks has a large range of screen protectors and protective cases for kids’ digital devices. 

SEE ALSO: BYOD at Any Budget: Find the Right Device for Your Child  

Tip #2: Encourage Good Habits

If it’s the first time your child is using a device regularly, start with the big ones: no running with a device and, if you can enforce it, no eating or drinking while using one. “We have a rule that there's no food allowed when using devices,” says Thomas. 

Avoid leaving digital devices in very hot or very cold conditions, as this can permanently damage battery capacity, and prevent meltdowns by agreeing to the length of a screen-time session before it begins. 

SEE ALSO: Let the Geek Guide You: Tips for Managing Kids’ Screen Time 

Tip #3: Set Up a Charging Station

Close-up of a hand inserting a charging cable into a digital device.

Storing all devices in a designated spot, like on a shelf or in a cupboard, not only makes them easy to find in an instant (in theory!) but allows you to set up a charging station, with powerpoints, charging cables, or powerbanks close at hand. 

“We have a dedicated charging station so all devices can be returned and accounted for,” says Thomas. “There’s a no-screens-after-dinner rule at our house, so I gather them up and charge them, ready for tomorrow.” 

“I teach my kids to keep things tidy and put devices back ‘where they live’ by the charger, as it helps them develop good habits,” adds Charlie. Keep in mind that poor-charging practices can affect battery life over time. With most current models of smartphones and tablets, manufacturers suggest that keeping your device’s battery between 30-70% is optimal. That means you shouldn’t wait until your phone is on 1% to charge it and, also, it’s not a good idea to leave devices plugged in and charging overnight. Letting your phone battery completely drain adversely affects its longevity, and overcharging can generate battery-damaging heat.  

Smart powerboards are a good idea, as they are compatible with Google and Amazon virtual assistants – meaning parents can control a range of the household’s digital devices remotely.

What To Try:    

Wireless charging stations and smart powerboards make it easy to keep tech gadgets charged at optimal levels for battery life. 

Tip #4: Utilise Parental Controls 

“We’ve got parental controls across all our devices,” says Charlie. “This isn’t because we don’t trust our kids but we want to ensure they can’t accidentally get on something they shouldn’t, that isn’t age-appropriate. We also monitor messages, friend requests, app downloads, etc.” 

Another good idea? Establish a dedicated space for using devices, like the lounge room or playroom, where you can monitor activity (and ensure devices are being well looked after). “We talk to our kids a lot about the use of tablets; what’s safe, what to look out for and to always ask questions if they’re not sure,” says Charlie, who recommends open conversations with kids about what they are doing during screen time. 

Most digital devices will have parental controls built-in so you can limit and block specific apps, or set content and privacy restrictions. It pays to have a play around with the settings on your device, or go to the appropriate help page online. 

Tip #5: Install Anti-Virus Software

Mother and son in home setting looking at a laptop screen together

According to its latest report, the Australian Cyber Security Centre receives one cybercrime complaint every seven minutes. Yikes. 

Viruses, spyware and malware are a real danger and can lead to deleted or corrupted files, a system slowdown, or even allow strangers to access your personal information. Always update your devices and, where possible, set up multi-factor authentication for logging in. 

Invest in good antivirus software – some of the leaders in this market are Norton and Trend Micro. It’s also smart to sit down and have a chat with your kids so they understand what to be wary of in the online world. 

“I teach my kids about spam and phishing, and they know not to click on email links,” says Thomas. You don’t want to scare them, but honest conversations will ensure kids are kept informed. “Education around cyber safety is so important,” agrees Charlie. “If you actively foster these open conversations, kids will feel that they can approach you and speak up if something untoward happens.” 

What To Try:

Selection of anti-virus software options

‍

SEE ALSO: Let the Geek Guide You: Tech Advice for Common Computer Issues 

Need some IT or Tech Help? Geeks2U offers onsite and remote tech support, 7 days a week. Find out more here.

‍