As their 11-year-old son prepared for secondary school in September, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher decided it was time for him to have his own phone. Acknowledging the importance of managing and ensuring their son’s safety online, the couple prioritized having open conversations with him.
With the increasing trend of children receiving smartphones as gifts, families are faced with the challenges and benefits that come with this technology. To support families in navigating this digital landscape, a campaign called The Family Chat, in partnership with Tesco Mobile, has been launched to encourage discussions about online devices at every stage of a child’s development.
Giovanna expressed her appreciation for the campaign, highlighting the valuable resources and tools provided by Tesco Mobile that have helped her family enhance their online safety knowledge. She emphasized the need for parents to communicate openly with their children to empower them in using digital devices responsibly.
The Fletchers, who have two younger sons aged seven and nine, utilize tablets for communication and games, emphasizing the importance of staying connected while also setting boundaries. When their eldest son transitioned to high school, they provided him with a restricted smartphone to ensure controlled access and foster ongoing dialogue about responsible device usage.
Giovanna emphasized the significance of setting boundaries for screen time not only for children but also for adults. She stressed the importance of gradually introducing internet access to children and maintaining a balance between screen time and real-world interactions.
In addition to the family’s strategies, here are some tips to help children stay safe online:
1. Set up a child account: Establishing a child account on devices allows for easier management of parental controls and settings as children grow.
2. Use the correct age: Inputting the child’s real age on their account ensures appropriate safety settings are activated automatically.
3. Turn on safety filters: Enable safety and search filters on all search engines to block inappropriate content.
4. Utilize parental controls: Access free guidance and support through the Little Digital Helps Toolkit to select the right controls for your family.
5. Keep the conversation ongoing: Regularly discuss online activities and smartphone usage with your children, especially during meal times.
Dr. Rebecca Whittington, Reach’s online safety editor, emphasized the importance of prioritizing a safe setup for new devices to protect children from potential online risks associated with excessive use and impulsive behavior.
