Giovanna and Tom Fletcher decided to get a phone for their 11-year-old son as he starts secondary school in September. Before handing him the device, the couple made sure to have a conversation with each other and with their son.
Giovanna, aged 40, emphasized the importance of managing and ensuring the safety of children’s online activities. She expressed concerns about children being exposed to inappropriate content and the potential impact on mental health, highlighting the need for parents to have open discussions with their children to empower them.
Many families have recently gifted smartphones to children for Christmas, leading to a mix of challenges and benefits that come with these devices. In the upcoming year, a campaign called The Family Chat, in partnership with Tesco Mobile, aims to encourage families to discuss online device usage regardless of their children’s age.
The campaign will feature resources such as Tesco Mobile’s age-specific toolkits and parental support, aiming to equip families with the necessary knowledge. Giovanna expressed her support for the initiative, emphasizing the value of continuous learning and utilizing resources such as Tesco Mobile’s online hub for online safety.
Giovanna and her husband Tom, a member of the band McFly and a children’s author, have two younger sons aged seven and nine who use tablets for messaging and online activities. They have set up restrictions on the devices to ensure safe usage and maintain communication with family members.
When their eldest son transitioned to high school, they provided him with one of their old smartphones with limited functionalities and strict parental controls. The couple believes in having open dialogues with their children about the reasons behind restrictions, fostering understanding and responsibility.
Giovanna emphasized the importance of limiting screen time for both children and adults, setting boundaries such as no phones in the bedroom or during meal times. She stressed the gradual introduction of internet access to children based on readiness and ongoing communication.
To ensure children’s online safety, here are some tips:
1. Set up a child account: Establishing a child account helps manage parental controls, screen time, and app access, allowing adjustments as children grow.
2. Use the correct age: Accurately input your child’s age on their account to activate appropriate safety settings automatically.
3. Turn on safety filters: Enable safety and search filters on all search engines to block inappropriate content.
4. Use parental controls: Utilize the Little Digital Helps Toolkit for tailored support and guidance on setting controls based on age groups.
5. Keep the conversation going: Engage in regular discussions about online activities and smartphone use, especially during mealtimes to stay informed about your child’s digital experiences.
Dr. Rebecca Whittington, Reach’s online safety editor, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safe setup of new devices to protect children from online risks, especially during the initial excitement of using a new phone.