5 Back-to-School Tech Tips Every Parent Needs This Year

Back to School Season Is Here. These Are 5 Things You Need to Cross Off Your List

Back to school season is here, and along with the school supplies and new backpacks, it's also a good time to run through a quick tech and safety checklist. Here are the five things on mine this year.

1. Think Twice Before Posting First-Day Photos

It sounds obvious, but it's easy to forget in the moment. If you are going to share those first-day-of-school photos, be careful not to share too much information along with them. Crop out school names, signs, even uniforms. It's a small step that goes a long way in protecting your kid's privacy.

And if you have older kids, this is also the moment to make sure their own social media accounts are set to private.

2. Put an AirTag on Your Kid

My go-to for this are the Find My Skechers. My kids wear them because they have a hidden AirTag compartment built right in, so I can keep track of both the kids and their shoes without them even noticing it's there. It's an easy, low-friction way to have peace of mind during drop-off, pick-up, and everywhere in between.

3. Level Up Tracking as They Get Older

For older kids, shoe tracking won't cut it anymore. If you're following the Wait Until 8th pledge, smartwatches like the Garmin Bounce or the Verizon Gizmo let them call and text without giving them full internet access.

And when they're ready for a bit more independence, the Nothing Phone is a great next step. It's calls and texts only, no social media, which makes it a solid bridge between a kid's first smartwatch and their first real smartphone.

4. Teach Your Kid a Safe Word for Pick-Ups

This one costs nothing and takes two minutes to set up. Teach your child a "safe word" for school pick-ups, so they never leave with someone unexpected, even if that person claims they "know" you. It's a simple habit that adds a real layer of protection during one of the more chaotic parts of the school day.

5. Have Them Carry an Emergency Contact Card

Whether it's a tappable NFC card or just a good old laminated one, having your kid carry an emergency contact card is simple, but it could make all the difference if something goes wrong and you're not there to explain the situation yourself.