By Jackie Edmondson, Manager of Marketing and Member Services
For many families, summer brings a shift in routine, which includes more time spent online. According to Emily Nestor, educational technology specialist for Talladega County Schools, the answer isn’t less internet; it’s using it better.
“The goal is to make the internet a tool that expands real-life experiences, not be a substitute for them,” she said. Nestor said families should think in terms of the “3 C’s of Summer Internet Use” – curiosity, creation, and connection.
“When used intentionally, these 3 ideas can transform screen time into something meaningful, educational, and fun,” she said.
Curiosity: Turning Questions Into Adventures
Curiosity is where it all begins, she said. Instead of passive scrolling, families can use the internet to spark exploration.
“When using the internet, parents should ask their children, ‘What do you want to do? What adventures do you want to plan?” she said.
After exploring online, families can take that curiosity offline. For example, kids interested in nature can research nearby hiking trails, like Cheaha State Park, the highest point in Alabama, and then plan a day trip to experience it firsthand. Animal lovers can follow live cams from places like the Birmingham Zoo or the Georgia Aquarium. Then, they can schedule an in-person visit to see those animals up close.
Virtual tours are also a great starting point when encouraging curiosity. Families can go to Google Arts and Culture to explore national parks and museums online. They can research local destinations, like the Anniston Museum of Natural History or the Berman Museum, and then visit them in person.
Creation: Making Something That Matters
Once curiosity is sparked, the next step is creation.
“It’s important to turn ideas into something tangible,” she said. She suggests parents ask their children what they want to build, design or share based on what they’ve learned online.
They can document a summer adventure by creating a digital scrapbook, vlog or comic using free tools like Canva or Storyboard That. These platforms make it easy to turn memories into something shareable and lasting.
Families can also bring creativity into the kitchen. By following a YouTube cooking tutorial, they can host a themed “restaurant night” at home.
“It’s a fun way to combine learning and creativity,” Nestor said. “Kids can plan the menu, help cook the meal, and even design decorations or invitations. It turns a simple dinner into an experience.”
Crafting is another way to bring online inspiration into the real world. “There are so many tutorials available,” she said. “Children can find something that interests them and then create it with their own hands. Real learning happens when they’ve made something themselves.”
Connection: Building Relationships & Community
As families create together, those experiences can naturally lead to connection, both within the household and throughout the community.
“The internet can help families discover local opportunities they might otherwise miss,” Nestor said. “Researching free events is a great place to start, such as a summer music series and outdoor festivals. These events really bring people together.”
Families can also stay connected with loved ones through virtual game nights using free platforms like GameBuddies or online trivia and scavenger hunts. Monthly challenges, like fitness goals, reading contests, or creative photo prompts, can keep extended family and friends engaged all summer.
Service is another powerful way to connect with people in the community.
“Students can participate in online service projects by researching causes they care about,” she said. “They might organize a donation drive, create awareness campaigns on social media, or find ways to support local nonprofits. It teaches them that they can make a difference.”
She recommends Color A Smile, an online community that distributes drawings to senior citizens and troops, for a fun, interactive way to provide service to others.
Passion Projects: A Summer-Long Journey
For working parents, daytime activities can be harder to coordinate, but that doesn’t mean meaningful engagement has to stop.
“Passion projects are another great way to turn a summer-long curiosity into something real with the internet acting as the guide and not the end destination,” Nestor said.
Passion projects allow children and parents to dive deeply into something they truly enjoy by using the internet for research and inspiration to create something.
“Your child might enjoy a community outreach project, like creating little libraries for their hometown,” she said. In this project, families can research ideal locations to install small weatherproof book boxes that they design and build.
“They can then stock these little libraries with free books for neighbors to take and share,” she said. “It’s a hands-on way to combine creativity, service, and community impact.”
The Role of Parents – & Reliable Internet
Nestor said parental involvement is key for both safety and strengthening relationships.
“It’s great for safety and oversight, but by participating in online activities, they are connecting with their child,” she said. “They are discovering their individual interests as well as discovering interests they share as a family.”
That connection is made easier with reliable, high-speed internet at home. Coosa Valley Technologies provides the kind of dependable service families need to stream, learn, create, and connect without interruption.
“At Coosa Valley Technologies, we see the internet as a tool that can bring families closer together,” said Patrick Harris, sales manager at CVT. “When families have fast, reliable service, they can explore new ideas, learn new skills, and stay connected.”
For more information on Coosa Valley Technologies’ internet packages, visit the CVT website.