Growing Up in the Age of Digital Solitude – Welcome to ‘Generation Isolation & What You Can Do About It!
More than half of the young people who use their phone the most want to reduce the amount of time they spend on them but many do not know how, a survey has found. A study into young people’s lives outside school from youth charity OnSide found that 76% of young people aged 11-18 spend […]
Getting Kids to ‘Pitch’ Why They Want a Particular App: A New Way to Evaluate Screen Time Choices
Getting Kids to ‘Pitch’ Why They Want a Particular App: A New Way to Evaluate Screen Time Choices In today’s digital world, children are drawn to new apps constantly, from social media platforms to educational games and beyond. As a parent, it can be challenging to keep up with these requests while also making sure […]
Why Kids Need Parents, Not Pals, in the Digital Jungle
Kids Need Boundaries To Help Them Thrive in a Digital Jungle Screenagers: The Digital Dilemma. In today’s hyper-connected, fast-paced world, setting boundaries for kids is more essential than ever. The digital age offers countless learning opportunities and engaging entertainment, but it also brings challenges, especially when it comes to screen time and digital safety. By […]
The Dangers of YouTube Kids & Auto-Play: A Guide for Parents
Lisa came to me with a concern many parents share. Her toddler, a bundle of curiosity and energy, loved watching videos on YouTube Kids while she handled household tasks. But recently, Lisa noticed that her little one seemed glued to the screen, watching increasingly fast-paced, repetitive videos that popped up through autoplay. She wondered about […]
Is It Time to Ditch ‘Screentime’ and to Focus on What Really Matters ?
Image from FreePik For years, “screen time” has been the go-to measure of how much tech exposure is considered “too much.” Parents, educators, and researchers have relied on this idea to define and regulate children’s interactions with screens. But as technology becomes more embedded in every aspect of life, it’s clear this one-size-fits-all approach is […]
Deep Fake, Digital Dysfunction & Your Digital Footprint
It is extremely disturbing that Hugh Nelson was able to take normal photographs of children and, using AI tools and a computer programme, transform them and create images of the most depraved nature to sell and share online. Hugh Nelson, 27, from Bolton, jailed after transforming normal pictures of children into sexual abuse imagery He […]
Navigating the Digital Jungle: ‘The PIG’ – The Problem of Immediate Gratification & What To Do About It!
Following on from my last blog post, ‘Digital Distractions: The Hidden Cost of Instant Gratification on Kids‘ about the dangers of instant gratification and the immediate rewards provided by video games, social media, and other digital platforms becoming addictive, as each like, share, or level-up in a game triggers a dopamine response, giving children a quick burst […]
Chatbots and Children: What Every Parent Needs to Know Navigating the Digital Jungle: With SCRIPTS to Start Conversations
The Dangers of Chatbots for Children Chatbots are becoming an increasingly prevalent part of our digital world, used in everything from customer service to educational tools. While they offer convenience and can be useful for a variety of purposes, they also pose certain dangers, especially for children. As parents, it’s crucial to understand these risks […]
The Psychology of a Digital Detox: The Mental Health Benefits of Unplugging & How Families Can Ease into a Detox Together
In our hyper-connected world, where screens dominate our lives, the concept of a digital detox is gaining significant attention. As families navigate the complexities of technology, the need to unplug has never been more critical. A digital detox refers to a period during which people refrain from using electronic devices, providing a necessary respite from […]
From School to Screen: How to Break After-School Digital Habits Between 3pm – 6pm
Navigating After-School Screen Time: Between 3 PM – 6 PM When children return home from school, the time between 3 PM and 6 PM can be a delicate balancing act for families. It’s often the period when children are eager to unwind after a long day, and for many, that means reaching for digital devices—whether […]