A first-of-its kind study has found that for every minute of screen time toddlers are exposed to at home, they hear fewer adult words, make fewer vocalisations and engage in fewer back-and-forth conversations with their parents. The research, led by The Kids Research Institute Australia Senior Research Officer , saw researchers track 220 Australian families […]
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 […]
In today’s digital world, managing children’s screen time can be a battleground. For Emma, a devoted mother of two teenagers, the constant battle over device usage was more than just a frustration—it was a source of deep-seated anger. Every day, Emma felt overwhelmed by the feeling that her kids were more attached to their […]
Critical Review: BBC Panorama’s “Can We Live Without Our Phones?” The BBC Panorama documentary “Can We Live Without Our Phones?” sets out to explore the omnipresent role of smartphones in our lives. While the topic is undoubtedly timely and relevant, the documentary falls short of delivering the hard-hitting analysis needed to confront the profound and […]
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 […]
Dopamine is part of an ancient neural pathway that ensures human survival. It is also part of the reason it is so hard to stop playing a video game or pass up a piece of cake! Anti-Dopamine Parenting! Breaking the Dopamine Cycle: A New Approach to Parenting in a Digital Age In today’s […]
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 […]
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. […]
I have been working with a lovely 9 year old boy who has always found it a bit of a challenge to make and keep friends & his parents have been working with me remotely as they are worried about how the social isolation during the lock down pandemic affected […]
‘It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me’ I love Taylor Swift & she’s taking the UK by storm & my daughter is going to see her in August in Poland as she couldn’t get UK tickets As coincidence would have it I was actually listening to ‘Anti Hero’ on Spotify when I read this […]
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 […]
Remember slot machines? They were designed to answer your every action with a visual, auditory, tactile feedback buzz. A ping when you inserted a coin. A ka-chunk when you pulled the lever. A flash of coloured lights when you released it. The initial engagement with a slot machine begins with the simple act of inserting […]
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 […]
