The Lost Art of Face-to-Face to Screen-to-Screen. Exploring the Real Impact of Smartphones on Families
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 […]
Ctrl-Alt-Parent: The Importance of Empowering Parents with Digital Literacy Confidence.
“In a digital world where the landscape is ever-changing, parental digital literacy isn’t just a choice; it’s a responsibility to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills needed to guide our children safely through uncharted waters.” ~ Sue Atkins In today’s digital age, where technology permeates almost every aspect of our lives, digital literacy has […]
Pros and Cons of Banning Social Media Apps on Children’s Phones
Esther Ghey, the mother of the murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey is campaigning for social media apps to be blocked on smartphones for under-16s and stronger parental controls to flag potentially harmful searches to parents, in the wake of the sentencing of her daughter’s killers. A group of parents are campaigning on Whatsapp for a […]
Your teenager is the sum of their 5 biggest digital influences.
“You are the sum of the 5 people that you spend the most time with.” This phrase was made well known by Jim Rohn long before social media became a huge part of everyone’s life. This means that now your teenager is the sum of their 5 biggest digital influences. Get talking with (not […]
What Lessons Does the Gary Lineker BBC Stand Off Teach Us ALL About Social Media ?
It’s been a fraught few days watching the BBC implode into chaos & shooting itself in the foot around the handling of the Gary Lineker tweet. Whatever your views on Gary Lineker, the BBC or the Government’s Illegal Immigration policies there are lessons to learn for ALL of us. The Gary Lineker debate teaches us […]
10 Reasons Why Social Media Knows More About Your Child Than You Do & What To Do About It
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 […]
iPhone Separation Anxiety Is A Real Phenonmena.
I found this really interesting infograph on my Scoop feed today that I thought you’d find interesting today too.
Social media harms moral development.
A majority of parents in the UK believe social media harms their children’s moral development, a survey has suggested. Just over half (55%) of 1,700 people with children aged 11 to 17 strongly agreed that social media hinders or undermines moral development. The poll was part of a project by the Jubilee Centre for […]
Brexit, Family Fall Out and Moving Forward
I’ve just been interviewed about my thoughts on healing and helping families move on from the Brexit Referendum as some families are really split over the decision to leave Europe. I have likened it to the grieving process during a Divorce. For some it was a shock, for others it was […]
As 2 children are arrested as young as 12 & 13 over ‘indecent images’ – TALK & TEACH your kids about what’s OK and NOT OK.
I speaking live on BBC Radio Newcastle today discussing – the children of 12 and 13, who were arrested and bailed over ‘indecent images’ We need to be ‘Talking & Teaching ‘ our children about self respect, self confidence and what is and isn’t appropriate behaviour online and off. In this media crazy world […]
Decoding Teen Social Media Language
I was on Channel 5 News the other night, discussing teen social media language with the lovely Emma and Ryan Broderick who’s a Buzzfeed reporter. We talked about the different shortcodes teens have and use to talk to each other. I would love to know what you think on this subject. Leave me a […]
Talking About Divorce Legal Conversations Chats
This week I’ve been a guest on both Fink Cards social media chats, answering questions about my newest pack of cards that I’ve written with Chris Longbottom. Talking About Divorce Legal Conversations is something both Chris and myself are very passionate about as we’ve created this pack of cards to help you navigate the choppy […]
Is it a good idea to snoop on your child’s texts and social media messages?
Parents should snoop on their child’s texts and social media messages, David Cameron’s new advisor on childhood has claimed – but what do YOU think ? How do you monitor your child’s social media activity and keep an eye on what they’re saying, and who they are saying it to, and what they are posting […]
Using Facebook could help boost exam grades
I was surprised to read that students’ use of social networks like Facebook could help boost their exam grades, according to new research that I read about in The Telegraph today. I work with lots of parents (and teachers) who disapprove but it looks like time on Facebook may help rather than hinder students’ performance. […]
Is it a good idea for Facebook to make it easier for kids under 13 to join in?
Facebook is developing technology that would allow children younger than 13 years old to use the social-networking site under your parental supervision – what do you think about that? I’ve been in schools were the kids under 13 openly chat about being on Facebook and of course my ears prick up as I am worried […]