The Power of Movement: Inspiring Kids to Get Active and Break Free from Screens In a world where children are more drawn to screens than ever, parents are searching for innovative ways to promote healthier, more active lifestyles for their kids. The allure of smartphones and devices is hard to resist, often leading to hours […]
Free Play and Incremental Independence In today’s world, children are more connected to screens than ever. Smartphones, tablets, and gaming devices have become central to their lives, often replacing physical play and face-to-face socialisation. This rise in device dependence has left parents concerned about the long-term impact on kids’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Fortunately, […]
Words hold power. The way we talk about a concept shapes how we think, feel, and react to it. This is particularly true when it comes to public policy or societal rules. The difference between calling something a “ban” versus an “age restriction” may seem subtle, but the impact is profound. Here’s why changing […]
I was recently invited on to BBC Radio Scotland to talk about #sextortion Talking to your kids about sextortion is a delicate but essential conversation to ensure their safety online. Here are some guidelines to help you approach this discussion: 1. Educate Yourself First Understand what sextortion is: It’s a form of blackmail where […]
Teen Slang – What You Need To Know Navigating The #DigitalJungle Keeping an eye out (and an ear‼️) about what you’re kids are up to online is crucial to their safety & wellbeing and while you don’t want to seem too intrusive (or uncool) and constantly ask your kids to translate you probably want to […]
Do you think phones have ruined family togetherness? In today’s digital age, smartphones have become a hugely integral part of our daily lives. These devices offer convenience, connectivity, and a plethora of information at our fingertips. However, as smartphones have become more ubiquitous their impact on family interactions and relationships has come under scrutiny it’s […]
‘In the digital age, teaching children digital literacy is like teaching them to swim – an essential skill to navigate the vast ocean of information with confidence and resilience ~ Sue Atkins In today’s digitally-driven world, the ability to navigate, understand, and utilise technology is not just a valuable skill – it’s an essential one. […]
If you have time I highly, highly recommend watching or listening to this absolutely fascinating parliamentary evidence on screen time, digital poverty and education, with Baroness Kidron who’s career has taken her from making movies for Stephen Spielberg to groundbreaking protections for young people online Screen time and Wellbeing Speakers include: John McGee, Senior Policy […]
Managing a child’s smartphone use can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use to ensure your child’s safety and well-being even if they have a smartphone already! Set Clear Rules and Expectations: Establish clear guidelines for smartphone usage, including when and where it’s appropriate to use the device, as well as time […]
Smartphones have become an integral part of modern life, offering a multitude of benefits that enhance communication, productivity, entertainment, and convenience. Here’s just a few ways they have transformed our lives which I love: Communication: Smartphones revolutionised communication by allowing people to stay connected regardless of their location. With features like calls, texts, emails, […]
There’s a great buzz around Jonathan Haidt’s new fascinating and thought provoking book that points out the hugely important years between the ages of 9 to 15 in shaping a child’s experiences of life and how smartphones have impacted on a whole generation of children’s mental health and wellbeing and how everything changed globally around […]
The Effects of Using Your Mobile Phone While Breastfeeding: What Every Parent Should Know In today’s digitally connected world, it’s not uncommon for parents to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, including caring for their newborns while staying connected through their mobile devices. However, the practice of using a mobile phone while breastfeeding or bottle feeding […]
I’ve been thinking about how to help parents delay giving their child a Smartphone and I thought about my own kid’s milestones. Childhood is a kaleidoscope of experiences, a journey punctuated by significant milestones that shape our children isn’t it? From their first tentative steps to the exhilarating triumphs of independence, these moments mark […]
Using smartphones as ‘digital pacifiers’ or ‘dummies’ is an increasing phenomenon in our modern society, where smartphones serve as soothing tools for both toddlers and teens. While the term ‘pacifier’ or ‘dummy’ traditionally refers to a rubber object designed to calm babies by satisfying their innate sucking reflex, the concept has evolved in the digital […]
Giving a child a smartphone without guidance is like giving them the keys to a 4×4 without teaching them how to drive – it can lead to terrible accidents and enormous dangers on their digital journey‼️ 97% of 12 year olds now have access to a smartphone and 45% are online ”almost constantly” So the […]
A Practical Guide
A calm, practical starter guide from Sue Atkins to help you handle smartphones, social media, gaming, sleep and online pressure — without rows or panic.
Download the free scripts and tips here.
