Are We Giving Young Children Too Much Tech, Too Soon?
🔍 New Research from Ofcom Raises Urgent Questions for Parents As a parent, it can be hard to keep up with the pace of technology. Every day seems to bring a new app, platform, or gadget that our children want to use — and often, we don’t want them to feel left out. But the […]
“Dear Sue, My PE Teacher Was Right…”
When a School Newsletter Letter Hit a Nerve – And Sparked a Parenting Pause By Sue Atkins – Navigating the Digital Jungle Dear Sue,I just wanted to comment on something my child’s PE teacher wrote in the school newsletter. It’s been playing on my mind ever since.She gently (but firmly!) called out the number of […]
The Digital Jungle Dilemmas
Group Chats, Ghosting & Screenshots — A Preteen Soap Opera Welcome to the Digital Jungle Dilemmas — Your Support for Parenting in a Screen-Filled World! Parenting today often feels like posting live from the middle of a digital jungle — full of unexpected twists, noisy notifications, and the challenge of keeping up with every screen […]
Talking or Tapping? How Technology Can Boost — or Block — Your Child’s Language Growth
Children learn to speak by hearing speech — not swipes. But the right tech, used wisely, can support language, not silence it. A child’s brain is wired for words. From birth, they’re tuning into the rhythm, tone and melody of language. And by the time they reach Reception, their vocabulary size is one of the […]
Log Off, Tune In: Raising Emotionally Ready Kids Before Reception
Emotional literacy is a bigger predictor of school success than knowing letters or numbers – and it starts long before the classroom. When we talk about school readiness, we often focus on academic basics – counting to 10, recognising letters, writing their name But the quiet superpower that often gets overlooked?Emotional regulation. A child’s ability […]
Beyond the Screen – Why True School Readiness Starts Offline
School Ready, Tech Smart Welcome to my new School Readiness & Tech: Article Series When we talk about getting children ready for school, technology often enters the conversation early. Parents are bombarded with messages about apps that claim to teach toddlers to read, online platforms promising to make maths fun, and screens marketed as tools […]
Sleep & Screens: Navigating the Digital Jungle at Bedtime 💤 📱
Sleep is the unsung hero of healthy development – yet in homes across the country, it’s under siege from glowing screens, pinging notifications, and endless scrolling. Whether it’s a toddler transfixed by cartoons or a teen watching TikToks past midnight, devices are distracting, stimulating, and interfering with one of the most essential parts of family […]
How to Say “No” Without Being the Bad Guy: Navigating Social Media Rules With Your Daughter
I was sent in this great question from an attendee on my recent Behind the Selfie: Girls, Social Media, and Self-Esteem Struggles Power Hour Webinar It’s such a common and totally understandable feeling — no one wants to be the “fun sponge” parent, especially when it’s something their child loves, and all their friends are […]
What is Screen Time Costing our Children in the Early Years?
In a world where screens are everywhere—from smart TVs and tablets to phones in our pockets—it’s no surprise that even our youngest children are being drawn into the digital swirl. But as technology becomes more embedded in daily life, a growing body of research is urging us to pause and ask: What is screen time costing […]
Boys, Brands & Big Tech: The Hidden Influencers Raising Our Sons
🚨 How Big Tech & Brands Are Targeting Boys — And Why It Matters 🎮 1. Gaming Skins = Social Currency In Fortnite, Roblox, and similar platforms, boys are encouraged to spend money on digital “skins” and upgrades that have zero functional purpose — but huge social value. The message? You need this to fit […]
