By Kyla Ford
“Mom, what time is practice?”
“Sis, can you send me that photo of the dog?”
“Bro, I’m bored!”
“Dad, you owe me $5 for mowing the lawn.”
If your family is as busy as most American families today, then some of these phrases may sound familiar to you. According to one study, American families get just 37 minutes of quality time together daily (Paul, 2018). In contrast, children spend an average of 7 to 9 hours a day in front of a screen, a behavior often modeled by their parents (OSF Healthcare). In today’s fast-paced digital age, where technology is an integral part of our daily lives, families can leverage online tools and digital apps to strengthen their bonds and create lasting connections.
Despite having less time around the dinner table, families can use digital media to foster closer relationships and create meaningful memories. In this article, we will explore 5 apps that provide unprecedented opportunities for families to share experiences, stay connected, and build a sense of togetherness.
BusyKid is a family banking app that allows families to introduce their children to money management in fun ways. With BusyKid, parents can teach their children how to track their allowance and foster positive spending habits. BusyKid is ideal for families with multiple children who want to help better manage kids’ spending, savings, and investments. You can help your kids invest with their allowance and chore money. BusyKid acts like a bank account with three buckets: Save, Spend, and Share. When kids are ready to spend money, they transfer funds from their account to a prepaid card. Parents are in control of setting up their children’s allowances and supervising how they spend and earn their money. BusyKid allows parents to fund their kids’ accounts directly from their bank account or debit/credit card. BusyKid has a free 30-day trial that costs as little as $4 per month.
Cozi is a family organizer app that allows users to plan activities and juggle busy schedules all in one place. Cozi helps families manage school events, practice schedules, dentist appointments, school plays, and family vacations from any mobile device or computer. One of Cozi’s best features is its ability to customize and color coordinate each person’s schedule so that it’s easier to see who is involved with just a glance. Cozi is the perfect place to share grocery lists, to-do’s, recipes, and meal plans. Cozi sends you updates for daily appointments and activities and alerts you when new events are added or when lists are updated. Never miss another parent-teacher meeting, leave a science project for the last minute, forget fruit snacks at the grocery store, or show up late to soccer practice. Cozi is free to use.
Cluster is a family photo-sharing app that allows family members to share moments through photos and videos. Cluster allows more personal, intimate, and funny family moments to be shared without spamming Facebook, Instagram, or text message threads. Cluster’s app is simple and user-friendly for family members of all ages. The app allows family members to keep in touch, even when they’re not in the same place. Want to add Grandma and Grandpa to specific photos from the holidays? No problem! Cluster allows private groups that require an invite or access code to be created. Cluster will also alert group members when new things are posted to the album. Cluster has various subscriptions that start at just $4.99/month and are tailored to fit the needs of your family.
Kahoot! is a game show-styled app that allows families to connect through fun user-created quizzes. Transform family game night with Kahoot, which offers millions of existing games on topics such as brain teasers, trivia, popular science, pop culture, and more. Kahoot can be used to create games about your family and your favorite subjects. No matter where your family and friends are, you can send them a Kahoot challenge, and they can play in real-time. Kahoot is the perfect way to stay connected, have some fun together, and even learn something new along the way. Gaming promotes teamwork, communication, and a healthy dose of family-friendly rivalry. Kahoot is free for all users.
Embracing the benefits of digital media and app sharing can be a powerful tool for bringing families closer together. By leveraging technology thoughtfully, families can create a virtual environment that fosters communication, collaboration, and shared experiences. The key lies in finding a balance between the digital and personal aspects of life and using technology to enhance, rather than replace, the meaningful connections that make family relationships special.
Be sure to check out our book Conversations with My Kids: 30 Essential Family Discussions for the Digital Age to help your family talk about today’s tough topics meaningfully.
Kyla Ford is currently earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Marriage and Family studies at Brigham Young University-Idaho. She is an intern through Educate Empower Kids and will graduate in April 2024. Kyla is passionate about helping families have healthier relationships for a happier life. She loves learning about different family dynamics, individual cultures, and tools that allow families to be successful. Kyla has been married to her best friend, Kevin, for 12 years and they have three children. Together with her family, Kyla enjoys traveling, playing board games, watching movies, reading, and serving in her church.
Citations:
Paul, S. (2018, March 20). American families barely spend quality time together. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2018/03/20/american-families-barely-spend-quality-time-together/
OSF Healthcare (2020, January 10). Screen time for kids; How much is too much? OSF Healthcare Newsroom. https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/screen-time-for-kids-how-much-is-too-much
