Social bullying is a form of bullying that is often overlooked or misunderstood. However, it can be just as damaging for a child’s wellbeing as other types of bullying. With more and more of our kid’s social lives happening in digital spaces, it’s important that parents and guardians are aware of social bullying and how it can play out online.   What is social bullying? Social bullying is a type of bullying that involves using social tactics to intentionally harm or manipulate someone. This can include things like spreading rumors or lies about someone, excluding them from social activiti ..read more

As a parent, it can be hard knowing when the right time is for your child to get their first phone. Listening to your intuition as a parent about what your child is and isn’t emotionally ready for is an important part of the decision making process.   What age is it ok for a child to have a phone? Unlike social media—where children are not legally allowed their own accounts until the age of 13—there is no clear-cut age where it’s ok to give a child a phone. In fact, age is quite an unhelpful guideline when it comes to making a decision about allowing your child to have a phone. Instead, f ..read more

As parents, we’ve all been there. It can be incredibly frustrating when your child doesn’t seem to listen no matter how hard you try. But don’t worry—you’re not alone! In this post, I’ve shared some tips and strategies that you can use to get your kids to listen to what you’re telling them.   Don’t give instructions until you’ve got your child’s attention It may sound a little obvious but if you don’t have your child’s attention in the first place, you’re setting yourself up for a repetitive and frustrating interaction. You may need to try something to engage them and bring their focus to ..read more

Toddlers are at a unique stage of development where they are learning to assert their independence, communicate their needs and feelings, and explore the world around them. As a parent, it can be difficult to navigate this complex stage, but with the right tools and strategies, it's possible to create a positive and supportive environment for your child to thrive.   Difficult toddler behavior Challenging behavior is par for the course for a little one that is developing and discovering so many new skills in such a short space of time. It may be frustrating, exhausting, and even embarrassi ..read more

Parenting teenagers is both a rewarding and challenging journey(and it’s perfectly normal if sometimes you feel like you experience more of the challenges than you do the rewards!). As your children grow older, they start to become more independent, develop their own interests and opinions, and navigate a range of new experiences. As parents, it's important to adapt your parenting style to meet the needs of your teens and guide them towards adulthood.   Parenting Teenagers Tips: Communication is key Take an interest in who your teen is Allow for independence Establish supportive boundari ..read more

In today's digital age, children are growing up surrounded by technology. They use social media, play online games, and share personal information with their friends and family over messaging apps. While all these things are a normal part of modern life, each of these activities leaves behind a digital trail, also known as a digital footprint. This footprint can have lasting consequences, both positive and negative, that can affect your child’s future opportunities and relationships. As parents, educators, and guardians, it's crucial to understand what a digital footprint is and how we can hel ..read more

 Photo: YouTube Kids Video sharing platforms can be a great resource for education, entertainment, and creativity for your children. However, having access to a seemingly limitless wealth of videos is not without its risks—even when the platform is specifically designed to be used by children. I’ve created this guide to YouTube Kids to help parents and caregivers understand the platform and its safety features, so that they can guide their children to get the most out of it (and avoid the unsavory stuff). Topics covered: What is YouTube Kids? Is YouTube Kids Free or Paid? Is YouTube ..read more

Whether it’s the summer break or during the festive period, the holidays can be a much-needed time for your family to break free of your usual routine. It’s a time when you and your children have the opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and explore different activities that you enjoy together. Whilst it’s great to have some time away from formal routine and structure, it can also be challenging for parents and caregivers to keep a healthy balance when it comes to how much screentime your child may be totaling up.   Screentime Tips for Parents Tech can educate, inform, and engage our kids ..read more

A family media agreement is an agreed family plan about how you, as a family, will deal with computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, e-readers and any other digital devices that are in your family’s life. This type of agreement may also be referred to as a family tech plan, a technology agreement, or a phone contract. Whatever title you use, this agreement is a useful tool for holding you and your children accountable when it comes to your use of tech devices.   What to Consider Before Writing Your Family Media Plan Before you create a media agreement for you and your family, wh ..read more

More and more digital devices are creeping into our everyday lives–and the lives of our little ones are no exception either. There’s the obvious lure of devices that we all enjoy (such as smartphones and tablets) but the tech industry is also steadily cranking out mind-boggling devices that appeal to a younger audience too. Whilst this tech might capture the imagination of your child, it’s important to be skeptical about whether the notions of security and privacy are a key concern of the tech industries when creating these devices.  What happens when your child's toys can talk back ..read more