Parenting is no easy task, and getting a helping hand here and there is always welcome. One sure-fire way to make things a little more stress-free is to introduce smart home technology to your life.

If you think the phenomenon of young people staring like zombies at smartphone screens begins in the teenage years, you’d be mistaken.

Parents often walk a tight rope between embracing and controlling the technology in their children’s world. We want to make sure our kids are equipped with the knowledge to thrive in the digital world, yet we also want to protect them from cyberbullies, online sexual activity (ranging from viewing porn to sexting) and even just crossing the street or driving safely without being distracted by texting.

Kathy Buckworth counters the earnest teen phone contracts floating around the Internet with her version for managing appropriate smartphone usage.

A growing number of apps, websites and games offer opportunities for long-distance grandparents and grandchildren to go beyond conversation and engage remotely in educational activities and play.

Each mission in the app requires interaction between parents and their children to encourage positive relationships and connections.