Navigating the Digital Jungle: Tips and SCRIPTS to Tame Digital Distractions!
Dealing with digital distractions is a challenge for both parents and children in today’s tech-saturated world. Here are some simple tips and scripts to help manage and reduce these distractions effectively: 1. Set Clear Boundaries and Rules Tip: Establish specific times when devices can be used, such as after homework or during weekends. […]
Navigating the Digital Jungle: Parents’ Tips and SCRIPTS for Safe Sleepovers in the Age of Smartphones and Gaming
Navigating the Digital Jungle: Parents’ SCRIPTS for Safe Sleepovers in the Age of Smartphones and Gaming Designed by Freepik Script for Talking to Your Kids Going on a Sleepover Parent: “Hey [Child’s Name], I’m excited for you to have fun at the sleepover tonight! Before you go, I just want to chat with you about […]
The Silent Thief: How Smartphones Have Robbed Kids of the Ability to Make Small Talk
I’m a great chatter. I just enjoy talking to people. Whether it’s people I know, people I love or people I’ve just met. Whether that’s in a supermarket queue, doctor’s waiting room or at a networking event. I’m curious. I ask questions. I smile easily. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, the humble […]
How to Monitor Your Child’s Smartphone and Tablet Use During Summer Holidays: Tips and Questions for Parents To Ask
It’s the summer holidays & many parents find themselves concerned about how much time their children will spend on their smartphones and tablets. Without the structure of school, it’s easy for screen time to skyrocket, leaving little room for physical activity, creativity, or family bonding. However, with a few strategies and some thoughtful conversation, you […]
Navigating the Digital Jungle of Violence, Technology, and Social Media: Here are Tips and SCRIPTS for Talking To Your Kids About The Riots.
Violence, Technology, and Social Media: The ‘Perfect Storm’ So what can parents do? The key is to engage in ongoing, meaningful conversations with your children about media literacy, critical thinking, and the impact of online behaviour. Discussing the consequences of violence, extremism, and hate speech—both online and in the real world—will help them understand how […]
The Impact of Wearable Tech on Parenting: A New Era of Digital Parenting
The Impact of Wearable Tech on Parenting: A New Era of Digital Parenting Wearable technology, once the domain of fitness enthusiasts and tech-savvy adults, has increasingly become a tool for modern parenting. From smartwatches that allow parents to track their child’s location to fitness trackers that monitor health metrics, these devices are reshaping how parents […]
Big Data, Little Hands: Navigating Privacy in AI-Powered Toys
As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly becomes a part of our daily lives, it’s no surprise that it has found its way into children’s toys. From interactive dolls that can hold conversations to educational robots that teach coding, AI-driven toys promise to make playtime more engaging and educational. However, with these advancements come significant ethical considerations, […]
Family Meetings: A Great Way to Balance Technology in Modern Life
In today’s digital age, where smartphones, tablets, and computers are integral to our daily routines, balancing technology use within the family can be challenging. Family meetings offer an excellent opportunity to address this issue, fostering better communication and ensuring that technology serves as a tool for connection rather than a source of division. The Importance […]
Navigating the Digital Jungle: Handling The Age Gap Divide Around Devices.
My kids are 2 years apart and get all so well. It makes my soul sing. They laugh at the same things, share jokes I don’t always understand and as a family we have great ‘bantz’ on Whatsapp. They are both going to Glastonbury this weekend and I just hope they drink plenty of water […]
The Siren Song of Seduction. The Internet and Boys: Understanding and Mitigating the Risks.
In an age where digital technology is omnipresent, the internet has become an inescapable part of daily life, especially for the younger generation. Boys, in particular, are often drawn to the vast online world, where they find entertainment, social interaction, and a sense of belonging. However, this allure can sometimes turn into a harmful obsession, […]
How Tech Changes Families. What does it mean when a baby’s first word isn’t “Mama” or “Dada” but “Phone”?
I’m sharing this thought provoking article in it’s entirety as it’s so thought provoking from The Child Mind Institute You probably saw that funny old YouTube video of a 1-year-old sitting in front of a fashion magazine, gamely touching and swiping the page with her fingers in an effort to get the images to move. […]
Tips for Parents to Encourage Community Play
I write a lot about smartphones & my new podcast Navigating the Digital Jungle with Sue Atkins and Friends is all about conversations around handling tech and family life & is available on all podcast platforms. Jonathan Haidt’s book ‘The Anxious Generation’ talks a lot about how life completely changed for kids around 2010 from […]
Digital Detectives: Teaching Kids to Identify Fake Facebook Friends
How do you manage your Facebook friends? Do you keep your list really tight and only include ‘active’ pals? Or do you accept everyone you’ve ever laid eyes on? I have a Facebook for my real friends & family where I can post about personal things & rant about politics 🤣 and a business one […]
Is It Time To Put Your Phone In Jail?
I was asked by the Sun News UK newspaper to write 5 quirky and unexpected tips parents can use to wean their kids off their phones: 📲Create a “Phone Jail” for Family Time: Place all phones in a decorative box or “jail” during meals or family activities. This creates a fun and visible reminder to […]
Navigating the Co-Parenting Digital Jungle in the Age of Screens!
Check out my new podcast ‘Navigating the Digital Jungle with Sue Atkins and Friends’ www.navigatingthedigitaljungle.com It’s not easy – but I think it’s important! You weren’t on the same page before you got divorced so it’s even harder now you are trying to navigate co-parenting in the digital era where technology permeates every aspect […]