Tech and back-to-school: What one tech expert says might help kids

TOLEDO, Ohio — As the back-to-school season kicks into high gear, consumer tech-life journalist Jennifer Jolly is spotlighting the top gadgets and digital tools she says can help students of all ages learn smarter, stay safer, and better manage their increasingly tech-driven lives.

“Every year around back-to-school, I literally go hands-on with hundreds of gadgets,” said Jolly. “I try to pick out a handful of my top gadgets, tech tools, school resources that really help to kind of tell the story of what’s happening in the world of technology this year.”

One standout is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus, which Jolly says is ideal for multitasking. “I wrote about it recently, and I said it multitasks like a caffeinated octopus,” she said. The tablet features a 13.1-inch display, S Pen stylus, AI-powered writing tools, and up to 2TB of storage.

She argues that it acts as a long-lasting investment students can use from middle school through college.

AI is also top of mind this year, not just in gadgets, but in classrooms. 

The conversation around technology, education and children and teen’s minds is at the forefront at the start of this school year. While some educators have embraced AI for its accessibility features, others warn of its shortcomings: some students admit to using it as a crutch, while others confess they’re using it to replace human-to-human social interaction and even enable self-destructive behaviors. 

RELATED: Teens say they are turning to AI for advice, friendship and ‘to get out of thinking’

But Jolly points to Turnitin Clarity, a tool designed to help students use AI responsibly, offering feedback and flagging shortcuts instead of punishing use. “It encourages learning,” she said, “so that’s one of those tools or resources to just go ahead and check in with your kids, check in with your school, see if they have it.”

For younger children, Jolly recommends the Yoto Player and Yoto Mini, screen-free audio players that use physical cards to play music, stories, and educational content. 

Jolly also praised the new Pinwheel Watch, a child-friendly smartwatch that lets parents monitor communications and location in real-time without app stores or social media. “This is that perfect gadget for ages 7 to 14. Give them a little autonomy, give them a little independence, but help them learn and grow,” Jolly said.

While tech has become unavoidable, Jolly emphasized that how families use it matters most.

“Your kids will get their hands on them no matter what,” she said. “I think a really good balance of tech time and non-tech time is critical for raising kids healthfully and responsibly in this day and age. But it’s better to teach them how to use it. And remember, kids model what they see in you.”