Conversation Starters for Talking About Technology with Your Kids

Starting conversations with your kids about technology, its benefits, and potential dangers can help them build healthy relationships with their devices. Here are some engaging conversation starters you can use at home to open up a dialogue about tech use and responsible behavior.

1. Reflecting on Tech Habits

• "How do you feel after you've been using your device for a while?"

  • Encourage your child to notice their emotions after spending time on their devices—whether they feel excited, tired, or stressed. This can be a good way to help them reflect on their relationship with technology.

• "What are your favorite things to do with technology?"

  • Understand the positive side of their device use, whether it’s learning something new, connecting with friends, or engaging in creative activities. It also helps you understand what matters most to them online.

• "How much time do you think is healthy to spend on a screen each day?"

  • This question can lead to a discussion on setting boundaries, with the child contributing their perspective on balance. This approach helps build their autonomy in self-regulating screen time.

2. Exploring Online Safety and Privacy

• "Have you ever come across something online that made you feel uncomfortable? What did you do?"

  • Create a safe space for your child to share experiences they may have encountered online. If they haven’t, this conversation helps prepare them in case they ever do.

• "Do you think everything you see online is real? How do you decide what to trust?"

  • This question opens up a discussion about critical thinking, online misinformation, and recognizing the difference between real and fake content.

• "How do you decide what to share with others online?"

  • A great way to talk about digital footprints and the importance of privacy. You can guide them to think about safe sharing practices and personal boundaries online.

3. Understanding Technology’s Impact

• "What’s something cool you’ve learned using technology?"

  • This helps your child recognize the educational and inspiring side of technology, opening the door to sharing their positive experiences with you.

• "What do you think happens to all the things you search for online?"

  • This question is a fun way to introduce the concept of data privacy and how companies collect, store, and use personal information.

• "How do you feel when you can’t use your device for a while?"

  • This can lead to a discussion about dependence on technology, exploring how they feel when they're disconnected and helping them understand the importance of taking breaks.

4. Navigating Social Media and Online Relationships

• "How do you decide who to follow or be friends with online?"

  • Discuss how to navigate friendships and connections in the digital world, while emphasizing online safety and caution in interacting with strangers.

• "What would you do if someone said something mean to you online?"

  • Help your child think through how to handle online bullying, emphasizing kindness, reporting harmful behavior, and talking to trusted adults.

• "How do you feel when you see pictures or posts from other people online?"

  • This can lead to a conversation about social media comparison, and how what we see online might not always reflect reality.

5. Talking About Device Rules and Responsibility

• "What do you think is a fair rule for device use during family time?"

  • This allows your child to have a say in family tech rules, making them more likely to stick to the boundaries you create together.

• "Why do you think it's important to have rules for using technology?"

  • Encourage them to reflect on the importance of tech balance, and how rules help them stay safe and responsible with their usage.

• "What do you think are the pros and cons of having your own device?"

  • A great way to discuss responsibility, setting realistic expectations for ownership, and the potential downsides of constant access to devices.

6. Encouraging Creative Tech Use

• "If you could design your own app, what would it do?"

  • Encourage creativity and innovation by discussing how technology can be used to solve problems or create something fun and new.

• "What’s a skill you’d like to learn using technology?"

  • Open a conversation about using devices for more than entertainment—such as learning coding, editing videos, or even starting a passion project.

• "How do you think technology will change in the future? What would you like to see?"

  • This question can help spark their imagination and encourage them to think about the potential positive uses of technology