Tech Healthy Tools: How We Show Up | Janell Burley Hofmann | 2 Min Read

Tech Healthy Tools: How We Show Up | Janell Burley Hofmann | 2 Min Read

In my work with middle school students all over the country, we continuously build tools and methods for being tech healthy together. Adding student voice to my work on youth, families, communities, and tech is critical. Asking students directly about their experiences, insights, and knowledge about life online has been the deepest part of my work. Often they are very forthcoming and reasonable about what they think is safe, appropriate, and fair. And sitting in my curiosity, they have been incredible teachers. 

Together, we agree that we are all responsible for how we show up on the Internet. So, over time, we’ve built some tried and true practices together. Here are the top five. 

  1. The Billboard — The Internet is a public space — even if our accounts are set to private, the content disappears or we think a chat is just between friends. Images, conversations, and behavior can be screenshots, shared and spread. How can we remember that we are accountable and responsible for what we say and do online? We can think of The Billboard! Try to imagine many eyes in a public space seeing what you’re saying, sending, and sharing. This helps us remember to be good digital citizens and mindful of our digital presence. 
  1. The Pause — The Pause is practicing digital mindfulness. It means using tech intentionally and with purpose. This means recognizing when we are activated with body scans and reflective practice. Is our heart rate up? Are we clenching our fists or jaw? Are our shoulders by our ears? What emotions are present? What might we need? One of our built-in gifts as humans is the ability to pause on purpose. Hitting the “pause button” means taking three to five rounds of breaths — inhale, exhale, repeat. This helps to calm the central nervous system, improve decision-making, and move through big, intense moments. Practicing the pause button is a great tool for being tech healthy. 
  1. Permission To Post — This just might be the most adopted tool by middle school students. They love using this practice with their families and friends. If we are going to take a picture or video of someone, checking in with them before we put it online or share it is easy when we ask “Permission to Post?”. This extra step ensures that what we share from our accounts makes…
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Janell Burley Hofmann

Janell Burley Hofmann is an international author, speaker and consultant specializing on the topics of technology, media, health, relationships and well-being. Janell is the creator of the original iPhone contract and a thought leader in the space of digital mindfulness, digital parenting and intentional use of tech. She is the author of the book, iRules: What Every Tech-Healthy Family Needs to Know About Selfies, Sexting, Gaming and Growing Up published by Rodale, Inc. Janell is the founder of the Slow Tech Movement and iRules Academy. Janell has worked on four continents across diverse demographics, cultures, religions, and socioeconomics. Sensitive to the needs of each community, Janell works with schools, youth, families, educators, and organizations while offering private coaching and consulting sessions. Janell’s professional expertise and personal experience as a mother of five children builds strong connections with a wide and varied population. Janell engages readers, clients and audiences in relevant and meaningful conversations igniting personal empowerment, awareness and purpose in a partnership that will positively impact all. Janell’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media Studies, a Master’s Degree in Critical and Creative Thinking and she is currently working towards her licensure in mental health counseling. Her featured talks include two-time TEDx presenter, SxSW, YPO Southeast Asia Summit, Peace Corp Workshop Leader, Homecoming Day Nagoya University, Nagoya Japan, YPO Middle East Tour, Women2Women International Summit and MIT Strata Center. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, USA Today, National Public Radio, BBC News and The Associated Press.