Spring is (finally!) here. You might be opening windows, cleaning out closets, or just freshening up your home. But when is the last time your family did a little digital spring cleaning?

Our world is filled with screens, and technology can be a great tool for learning, connecting, and having fun. But just like our homes, our digital spaces need regular care and attention to stay safe and healthy. Consider these:

• Almost 7 out of 10 kids in the U.S. have their own smartphone by age 12
• About 70% of kids say they’ve seen violent or sexual content online when doing homework
• 1 in 5 kids between 10 and 17 have been approached by someone online asking for sexual content or trying to make inappropriate contact
• 4 out of 10 kids in grades 4 through 8 say they’ve chatted with someone online they didn’t know in real life
• Around 1 in 5 teens have shared or sent a nude or semi-nude photo or video
• Nearly 70% of parents worry that smartphones might be doing more harm than good for kids
• 2 out of 3 parents say raising kids today is harder than it was 20 years ago — mostly because of technology

Family Digital Wellness

We all want to protect kids online from predators, from harmful content, and from other things that can hurt their mental and physical health. But there’s an important part of the conversation we don’t talk about enough.

It’s not just what we’re protecting kids from. It’s how we teach them to stay safe and why it matters.

It’s time to shift the focus from just “digital safety” — like blocking bad content — to “digital wellness,” where families learn how to build healthy habits with technology.

Now that screens are a part of everyday life, parents and caregivers need tools to spot warning signs early, talk openly with kids about online risks, and create boundaries that protect their well-being. When we do that, we aren’t just reacting to problems; we’re preventing harm before it happens. And we’re helping kids build lifelong skills for a healthy, safe relationship with technology.

PFSA’s Family Digital Wellness hub provides free resources and information that help parents, caregivers, and more to raise healthy kids in a digital era.

Spring cleaning your devices – If it’s been a bit since you’ve refreshed your family’s digital habits, here are some simple steps to take:

Check screen times – Review how much time you and your family spend online. Are devices getting in the way of sleep, schoolwork, or family time? Set healthy limits that work for your household.

Turn off notifications – Constant pings, alerts, and pop-ups can pull kids (and adults) away from real-life moments and make it harder to focus or relax. Go through your family’s devices together and turn off notifications for apps that aren’t essential like games, social media, or shopping apps.

Declutter devices – When is the last time you decluttered your device? It might be time to delete unused apps, old photos, and saved passwords for you and your family. A good declutter keeps your devices running smoothly – while protecting you and those you love.

Update privacy settings – Check privacy settings on apps, games, and social media accounts. Remind kids not to share personal information online like their location, school name, or phone number.

Refresh family tech rules – Create or update your family’s screen time guidelines, and post them on your refrigerator. Ideas include:

• No devices at the dinner table
• Tech-free bedrooms at night
• Screen-free outdoor playtime
• No entertainment during homework
• Set limits on screen time

Make time for offline fun – The sun is out, so why not unplug together? This spring, get outdoors, play games, cook meals together, and talk walks together. Kids learn healthy tech habits when adults model them.