As we head into the final weeks of the school year, our students have spent a great deal of time using technology for learning. Whether they are joining virtual classes from afar or using digital tools in the classroom, they have built strong academic habits. As summer approaches, the digital diet of our students naturally shifts. Moving from structured schoolwork to unstructured leisure time can be a challenge for families to navigate.

Digital wellness is not about removing technology entirely. It is about being intentional with how we use it. Our goal is to help students transition to a summer where screens are used as tools for creativity and connection rather than just passive consumption.

Establishing a Summer Tech Agreement

Now is the perfect time to start discussing what technology use will look like in your home during the break. Setting expectations early can prevent power struggles once the school routine ends. You might consider these three areas for your summer routine:

• Defined Tech-Free Zones: Designate specific times or places, such as meal times or bedrooms, where devices are put away. This helps protect sleep and face to face connection.

• The Create Before You Consume Rule: Encourage your child to use their device to create something. This could be a digital drawing, a video of their pet, or a music track. Try to ensure they do this before they spend time watching videos or playing games.

• The Green Time Balance: For every hour spent on a screen, encourage an equal amount of time spent outdoors or engaged in physical activity.

For our families currently on ordered departure or traveling between countries, we know that technology is a vital bridge to friends and family. Digital wellness in this context means prioritizing high quality connections. Using a screen to have a video call with a classmate is very different from scrolling through a social feed.

When we talk about wellness, we are asking students to check in with themselves. Do they feel energized after their time online, or do they feel drained? Helping your child recognize how their body and mind feel after using technology is the first step toward building lifelong healthy habits. By starting these conversations now, you can help your child enter the summer months with a plan that prioritizes their well-being.

Warmly,
The ES Admin Team

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