In today's digital world, a teen's interest in technology isn't just a hobby - it could be their future career path. Many parents find themselves navigating this new territory without a roadmap, wondering how to best support their child's growing passion in STEM. Fostering a passion in technology is made more complicated by the burning questions every parent wonders as their child engages with computers: how much screen time is too much? Is my teen's focus on technology coming at the expense of grades in other subjects? Can they make it in the competitive fields of STEM? Will the skills they invest in today be relevant tomorrow?

While I can't pretend to be able to answer all of these questions, for every parent, every teenager, and every situation, I can provide my wisdom as a technology professional and as an educator. I also hope to offer some technology career guidance for anyone looking to start their career in tech. First, let's talk to your teenager, and figure out a bit more about what they're interested in, if they haven't told you a thousand times already. Remember, this field is new to them too, even if they've decided to dive headfirst into it, so they may not be entirely certain. I recommend checking out my post Careers in Computing - Demystified to prepare for this conversation. Once you have an idea of what subfield(s) your child may be most interested in, you will be more equipped to handle the questions above. After all, different skillsets require different approaches.

How much screen time is too much?

This is a simple question that requires a fairly nuanced answer. Certainly, too much recreational screen time can be a serious issue. Addictions to videogames and social media are very real, and very harmful, and teens are particularly susceptible. That said, the American Academy of Pediatrics generally indicates a distinction between recreational media use and educational time in front of the screen. While recreational time should be limited to one or two hours a day for teenagers, the story is a bit more complicated when it comes to education; after all, we wouldn't restrict time in front of the screen to type up an English paper! Coding, and other technology focused educational pursuits are no different. That said, balance is still important. Keep these guidelines in mind:

• Quality over quantity: Programming sessions should have clear learning objectives, with regularly scheduled breaks.
• Not all tech studies require a computer. Book learning and pen and paper planning are just as important!
• Clear boundaries between educational and recreational screen time are essential; while programming and IT education can be very fun and engaging, maintaining a clear distinction helps students develop professional habits and a healthy relationship with technology.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that consuming media at the same time as engaging in educational content inhibits learning.
• Ensure that educational time in front of the screen doesn't come at the expense of social or familial time.

Is my teen's focus on technology coming at the expense of grades in other subjects?

Potentially, but, structured right, this is unlikely. Technology has become an important societal discipline for all of us to learn (not just the kids). It's been shown that technology in the classroom can assist students and teachers with learning, and foster an interest in research, a critical skill for any student. Programming helps build skills with logical reasoning, which is another important skill. As always, the key is balance.

One effective approach is to channel your teen's tech interests into structured learning opportunities. Rather than viewing technology time as separate from academic pursuits, look for ways to integrate both. For instance, many students who learn programming find that their math grades improve as they develop stronger problem-solving skills. Similarly, writing code can enhance attention to detail and documentation skills that benefit English and writing courses.
Here are some practical ways to support your teen's tech journey while maintaining academic balance:

• Set clear expectations for maintaining grades across all subjects. Technology privileges can be tied to overall academic performance, creating natural accountability.
• Look for connections between tech interests and traditional subjects. Programming projects can fulfill math or science requirements in many schools. Game development combines creative writing, art, and coding skills.
• Encourage participation in school coding clubs or competitive programming contests like USACO (USA Computing Olympiad). These activities look great on college applications while teaching valuable team collaboration skills.
• Consider enrolling in structured computer science courses or coding bootcamps designed specifically for high school students. Professional guidance ensures your teen learns proper techniques and best practices from the start.

Can my child make it in the competitive fields of STEM?

I'm of the opinion that anyone can find success in STEM fields, given the right opportunities. The key is helping to create those opportunities for your child. Once again, it's critical to understand your teen's particular interest area, and then help them engage with supplementary content to prepare them for college and career. These extracurriculars can be valuable in multiple ways:

• For teenagers interested in game development, this could look like helping them to participate in a game jam with a team of peers. This not only builds valuable skills in programming, digital art, and other key areas for this skillset, but can also result in a project useful for a college application portfolio.
• For children interested in IT and Cybersecurity, pursuing certifications such as the CompTIA IT Fundamentals certificate may help them get an internship at a technology helpdesk, providing valuable career experience.
• Teenagers who aspire to be computer scientists or software engineers may be interested in competitive programming. Competitive programming is like a mental sport where teenagers solve challenging puzzles using code, much like a chess tournament or a math competition, but with a focus on creativity and problem-solving using computers. Notably, the USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) is a contest aimed at high school aged children that looks great on college applications to computer science programs!

Will the skills they invest in today be relevant tomorrow?

Technology, despite its fast moving nature, is built upon itself in many layers; the skills and technology used today will doubtless underpin the new technologies we use in the future. Furthermore, businesses tend to build themselves on one technology and stick with it. For instance, many large businesses such as supermarkets still use point of sale software built in the 90s, because it works for their needs, and is reliable. Someone needs the skills to maintain this older tech. While this particular technology is getting phased out, the technology of today will have a similar long tail. As such, learning foundational tech skills now will prepare students long into the future with valuable skills for college and career, that they can build off of for the rest of their lives.

Conclusion

Supporting your teen's technology interests may feel daunting, but remember that you don't need to be a tech expert to make a meaningful difference. By maintaining open communication, establishing healthy boundaries, and providing structured opportunities for growth, you can help your child develop both their technical skills and the foundational habits needed for long-term success. Whether your teen dreams of developing the next breakthrough app, securing vital computer systems, or pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence, your support and guidance are invaluable. Start by having that conversation about their interests, explore the various paths available in technology careers, and consider structured learning opportunities like certification courses or competitive programming. The technology landscape will continue to evolve, but with proper guidance and support, your teen can build the skills and mindset needed to thrive in whatever technical field they choose to pursue.