Preparing for their 11-year-old son’s transition to secondary school in September, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher made the decision to provide him with a mobile phone.
Prior to giving him the device, the couple prioritized communication amongst themselves and with their son.
Recognizing the vast accessibility of smartphones, Giovanna, aged 40, emphasized the importance of managing and ensuring their child’s safety.
Expressing concerns about children encountering inappropriate content and potential mental health issues, Giovanna stressed the necessity for parents to engage in conversations with their children, empowering them in the process.
Following the festive season, where many children received smartphones as gifts, families are now navigating the challenges and benefits associated with these devices.
Over the upcoming year, we are launching a campaign, The Family Chat, in partnership with Tesco Mobile, encouraging families to discuss online device usage, regardless of their children’s developmental stage.
We will highlight available support and resources, including Tesco Mobile’s age-appropriate toolkits and assistance for parents and children.
Enthusiastic about the campaign, Giovanna expressed, “Being part of this initiative allows me to enhance our family’s knowledge gaps. Parents often feel pressured to have all the answers, but Tesco Mobile’s resources and online platform simplify the process.”
Giovanna, alongside her husband Tom, a member of the band McFly and a children’s author, have two younger sons, aged seven and nine, who utilize tablets for communication with family members and online activities such as gaming and video calls.
Highlighting the significance of communication, especially when parents are away for work, Giovanna emphasized the importance of children being able to contact their parents at any time.
When their eldest son transitioned to high school, they provided him with one of their old smartphones, implementing restrictions to ensure its functionality rather than excessive leisure use.
Emphasizing the value of open dialogue with their children, Giovanna stressed the importance of explaining the reasons behind their decisions, allowing the kids to comprehend the purpose behind the restrictions.
Giovanna also acknowledged the risk of excessive screen time, not limited to children but also affecting adults.
Implementing rules such as no phones in the bedroom or during meal times, the couple aims to maintain a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.
Giovanna emphasized the importance of introducing internet access gradually, ensuring children are ready for the responsibility it entails.
Here are some tips to help children stay safe online…
1. Establish a child account
Setting up a child account on new devices facilitates the management of parental controls, screen time, and app access, allowing adjustments as the child grows.
2. Accurate age verification
Ensuring the child’s real age is entered on their account helps activate appropriate safety settings automatically.
3. Activate safety filters
Confirm that safety and search filters are enabled on all search engines to block inappropriate content effectively.
4. Utilize parental controls
Our Little Digital Helps Toolkit provides tailored support and guidance by age group to assist in selecting suitable controls for your family.
5. Continuous dialogue
Regularly discussing online activities and smartphone usage is essential. Mealtimes offer a great opportunity to engage and monitor your child’s online experiences.
Dr. Rebecca Whittington, Reach’s online safety editor, emphasized the significance of prioritizing the safe setup of a new phone to mitigate potential risks associated with increased device usage.