In our ever-interconnected modern world, our kids are getting electronic devices earlier and earlier. Whether it's a laptop, Chromebook, or iPad for their school work, charging accessories to outlast their coursework, or gaming handhelds to let them kick back and relax, screens are part of today's educational landscape, and that's not going away any time soon.

What also isn't going to go away is the likelihood of an accident breaking any of those electronics. We get it. That's why you paired the device with a comprehensive accident insurance plan at the same time, but that will only replace the device, not the homework that's saved on it. So, for World Backup Day, it's time to spare a thought about the digital files stored on those devices, and how to ensure that there's a backup in place.

What you need to back up every device your kid might own

The simplest way is to use the cloud storage services that already come on each device

When deciding on a backup solution for the devices your kids use, there are a few things to work around. You know most of them won't manually back up data unless prompted (several times...), so it's easier for everyone involved if you use automated systems. Plus, if their device already has a cloud backup solution baked in, like iCloud, OneDrive, or Google Drive, use that and consider the cost of the cloud storage as a household expenditure.

When setting up these systems, remember that any backup is better than no backup at all. That's why we suggest using automated tools for your kids. Some cloud services will also have some form of soft deletion or versioning so that accidental deletion can be recovered. Some devices need a subscription for their cloud storage, like Nintendo Switch consoles, which need Nintendo Online to store saved files in the cloud, so a damaged device doesn't mean lost progression.

If you prefer keeping backups in-house

A NAS will save your family's data on the backup schedule you choose

Cloud storage is a good way to keep data synced to an off-site storage solution to ensure there is a copy that isn't in the same place as your kids' devices. But it's also good to have another copy, and a consumer NAS will provide that peace of mind for substantially less than paying cloud subscription fees. Once you've got a NAS running with enough storage in it, make a plan for the backups:

• Take inventory of your kids' devices (and yours, too!)
• Install the backup software that your NAS uses on each device
• Set the backup software to make backups overnight when nobody is using their device or the home network
• Read some guides on XDA on how to back up your devices — Windows, Chromebooks, iOS, Android, and others

I like Synology NAS devices because they come with multiple backup solutions, but the easiest to use is Synology Drive as it has apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android to cover most of the devices that your kids are likely to have. Plus, it has file versioning so you can restore individual files if they are accidentally overwritten or deleted, automated backups, and you can save space on the devices by only syncing those files your kids are actively using.

Backing up your kids' devices and the data on them helps teach them cyber hygiene habits that will last a lifetime

While you're setting up the backup solutions on their devices, it's never too early to talk to your kids about the importance of backing up important data. The discussion will change depending on their age and level of technical fluency, and the discussion will change as they grow. Like every other life skill that we should teach our kids as they grow up, digital hygiene, resiliency, and integrity are only going to be more important as the world becomes more technologically advanced.