Meta is putting Instagram users under the age of 18 into new “teen accounts” to allow parents greater control over their activities, including the ability to block children from viewing the app at night. The change will apply to new teen users but will also be extended to existing accounts held by teenagers over the […]
Social media literacy for both parents and children can significantly improve their online experience, safety, and relationships by fostering a deeper understanding of how social media impacts them and their communities. Here’s how it can make a difference: For Parents: Better Monitoring and Guidance: When parents understand social media platforms, they are better equipped to […]
When discussing social media advertising with children, it’s important to tailor the conversation to their age and understanding. Below are scripts for parents to use with young children, preteens, and teenagers. For Young Children (Ages 5-8) Context: At this age, children are just starting to use technology and social media under supervision. They may not […]
Talking to Your Kids About Advertising on Social Media: A Parent’s Guide In today’s digital age, children are growing up surrounded by screens and social media platforms. As parents, it’s important to guide them through the complexities of online spaces, including understanding advertising on social media. Ads are everywhere, often disguised as regular content, and […]
“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 […]
Navigating the Digital Jungle: A Parents’ Guide to Sleepovers in the Age of Smartphones and Gaming Sleepovers have long been a rite of passage for kids—a night of bonding, laughter, and, of course, very little sleep. But in today’s world, sending your child off to a friend’s house isn’t as simple as packing a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Obtaining robust parental consent is critical when dealing with your children’s data online‼️ We’re all trying to play our part & do our bit but the Tech Giants seem to pay lip service to their Duty of Care responsibilities for kids – lowering the age of consent to 13 & making that the default option […]
Smartphone Free Childhood Suicides. Self-harm. Depression and anxiety. The toll of a social media-addicted, phone-based childhood has never been more stark. It can be easy for teens, parents, and schools to feel like they’re trapped by it all. But in this conversation with Tristan Harris, author and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt author of ‘The Anxious […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
