Looking ahead to their son’s transition to secondary school, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher made the decision to provide him with a phone as he enters this new phase.
Prior to giving him the device, the couple understood the importance of having conversations with each other and their son.
Giovanna, aged 40, emphasized the significance of managing the access children have to various content on the internet and ensuring their safety. She expressed concerns about the prevalence of inappropriate content and its potential impact on children’s mental health, highlighting the necessity for parents to engage in discussions with their children to empower them.
During the festive season, numerous children received smartphones as gifts, prompting families to navigate the challenges and benefits associated with this technology.
Over the upcoming year, a campaign titled The Family Chat, in collaboration with Tesco Mobile, aims to encourage families to discuss online device usage regardless of their children’s age.
The campaign will feature various resources and support, including Tesco Mobile’s age-specific toolkits and assistance for both parents and children.
Giovanna expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the campaign, noting the valuable insights that can benefit her family. She acknowledged the pressure parents often feel to have all the answers but emphasized that Tesco Mobile’s resources and online platform simplify the process.
Giovanna and her husband Tom, a member of the band McFly and a children’s author, have two younger sons aged seven and nine. These children have tablets that enable them to communicate with family members and play online games and video call each other. Giovanna emphasized the importance of communication, especially when she and Tom are away for work.
When their eldest son transitioned to high school, the couple provided him with one of their old smartphones, implementing settings to restrict its functionality. They aimed for the phone to serve a practical purpose rather than be a distraction. Internet access is disabled, and the device is linked to Tom’s phone to prevent unauthorized downloads.
Open dialogue with their son is crucial for explaining the restrictions in place and the reasons behind them. According to Giovanna, children better understand and adhere to rules when they comprehend the rationale behind them.
Giovanna also recognized the importance of limiting screen time for both children and adults, emphasizing boundaries such as no phones in the bedroom or at the dinner table to promote family interaction.
Granting a child a phone with internet access opens up a world of possibilities, and the Fletchers believe in introducing these privileges gradually as children mature and demonstrate readiness.
Here’s how to help your kids stay safe online…
1. Set up a child account
When children receive a new device, creating a child account facilitates parental control management, screen time regulation, and app access customization, allowing adjustments as children grow.
2. Use the correct age
Ensure that your child’s actual age is provided in their account settings to enable automatic activation of appropriate safety features.
3. Turn on safety filters
Verify that safety and search filters are activated on all search engines to block unsuitable content effectively.
4. Use parental controls
The Little Digital Helps Toolkit offers age-specific guidance and support to assist in selecting suitable controls for your family, available free of charge.
5. Keep the conversation going
Regularly engage in discussions about online activities and smartphone usage with your children. Meal times provide an excellent opportunity to inquire about their experiences and address any challenges they may encounter.
Dr. Rebecca Whittington, Reach’s online safety editor, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safe setup of a new phone, especially considering the potential risks posed by children’s initial interactions with digital devices.