URBANA, Ill. — The advent of smartphones, social media platforms, streaming video sites, and numerous other technological advancements has led to unprecedented changes throughout society, including changes in daily life at home. This rapid change has raised multiple questions and concerns among parents, community leaders, and the broader society.
In response to this growing need, University of Illinois Extension has developed the Smartphones, Smart Families Survival Kit, a hands-on resource designed to support healthy technology habits at home.
“Life in the digital age has raised new questions and concerns for parents. Given how widespread screens are in daily life — whether phones, tablets, laptops, or TVs — understanding how to keep technology in check is an urgent issue for every family,” says Allen Barton, assistant professor and Extension specialist. “The content of this kit is meant to help families in this effort by providing tangible items to manage household technology use for the benefit of children, adults, and the whole family.”
The kit includes a variety of items that help families:
- Promote healthy sleep patterns disrupted by screen use
- Reduce sedentary behavior and excessive screen time
- Encourage open communication about technology use in the household
- Strengthen family relationships and connections through mindful tech habits
This product is designed for families with children living at home and is available for a limited time to Illinois residents.
To order, visit go.illinois.edu/SurvivalKit. While the kit is free, interested parties are only required to pay $5 for shipping.
For additional tools, tips, and research-based guidance on managing technology use at home, visit: go.illinois.edu/SmartFamilies.
SOURCE: Allen Barton, assistant professor and Extension specialist, Illinois Extension.
WRITER: Herbert Chavez, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.