We all need to play our part in managing screen time. We are the first generation of parents having to juggle being 24/7 connected. We don’t actually know the damage screen time may do to our kids mental or physical health and wellbeing yet – as the repercussions won’t be known for another 20 or […]
“When Jessica’s mum, Sandy, tries to take away the iPad, there’s a tantrum that threatens to go nuclear: wobbly lip, tears, hands balled into fists and a high-pitched wail. “She does this a lot,” says Sandy. “She seems to prefer the iPad to everything else. Sometimes it’s the only thing that will keep her quiet,” […]
Try A Device Free Dinner Learn how this one simple step can make a difference. I believe good habits start early – and they start with you ‘Talking & Teaching’ your kids good habits around their use of technology. So just for this week how about going for a #DeviceFreeDinner ?
I work with lots of parents at the end of their tether about their teenagers use of technology. But what about pausing to ponder our own use? I have to watch my use of Twitter and my constant checking of my iPhone for Instagram, Face Book, LinkedIn updates. If you can’t stop checking, clicking, surfing […]
I call them ‘Screenagers’ and I had to have words with my own 22 year old daughter as she was stirring the onion gravy during our Christmas lunch replying to something on her MOBILE PHONE ! Despite the casual joke about ‘I hope it doesn’t fall in the gravy’ I was angry, distressed, disappointed and […]
Here’s an interesting article in the Bangalore Mirror about screens, mental health and your child’s wellbeing. Unplug your kids from being a screen addict before it affects their mental health. Everyone seems happy. The digital intervention seems to be an easy distraction for the kids and a relief for the parents. But one needs […]
I’m speaking on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester today about this shocking new survey that has found that young children are now so used to their tablets that taking them away and forcing them to watch TV is a way to discipline them ! Almost one in two parents will take away a child’s tablet […]
I was fascinated to read that when Steve Jobs was running Apple, he was known to call journalists to either pat them on the back for a recent article or, more often than not, explain how they got it wrong. Nick Bilton was on the receiving end of a few of those calls. Here’ s […]
I was asked to go on BBC Breakfast News to comment on society and its changing use of technology. I was specifically asked to discuss Rod Stewart and his imposed mobile phone ban when the family are dining together – join the conversation! How do you handle your kids use of mobile phones ?
Jamie Oliver has banned his children from social media – and in many families there is a constant battle between demands for privacy and safety. Here, parents share the lessons they have learned and the techniques they use. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/03/internet-children-parents-safety How do you cope? All out ban? I teach the parents I work with to “Talk […]
I have recently been creating a One Page Profile with a lovely 10 year old who is nagging and nagging and nagging her parents for a mobile phone ! I don’t know what you think but I was recently on Sky News discussing 5 year olds who have their own mobile phones ! Now I love […]
I have to say I’m glad to see that the makers of “free” web and app-based games have been warned by the Office of Fair Trading of “potentially unfair and aggressive commercial practices” that could target “susceptible” children to pay to continue playing. It follows cases where children have run up bills of thousands of pounds without […]
I’m glad to see David Cameron is taking Facebook seriously, particularly as a mum of two “Screenagers” ! Mr Cameron said that watching his young children take their first steps into the digital world was one of the factors which prompted him to take action on access to porn on the internet. But he said […]
How would your kids feel if you decided to do a Digital Detox Week ? With the news that toddlers are becoming obsessed with gadgets, I’m asking – do we need to really limit our child’s tech play time: Read more at UKMumstv
