Before you gift your child a phone!

'Tis the season when Santa leaves new devices under the Christmas tree.

Every year, more new smartphones are activated on Christmas Day than any other day of the year. Many of them are unwrapped by delighted teenagers, who have been begging their parents for a phone for months (or even years). For teens, being trusted with their first smartphone, tablet, or computer can bring feelings of excitement and newfound independence. But for parents, if the situation isn’t approached thoughtfully, their teen’s new phone can be a source of conflict and harmful influences.

Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be that way. If you’re thinking about getting your child a smartphone this Christmas, here are five things you should consider:

1. Talk to your teen about the responsibility of owning a phone

For teens, a phone is a privilege, not a right. After all, every smartphone on the market today is hundreds of times more powerful than the computer that guided Apollo 11 to the moon. Alongside the ability for teens to freely text their friends, browse the web, and play mobile games comes the responsibility to make good choices online, even when they aren’t supervised. Parents should make clear that phones are neutral tools that can be used well or poorly. Children should leave the conversation confident their parents trust them, but also aware that it’s up to them to demonstrate that they deserve the privilege of having their own phone.

2. Establish clear boundaries at the beginning

NO DEVICES IN BEDROOMS OR BATHROOMS!!

For most families, it will be much easier to establish healthy tech boundaries right when their children first get a phone than to try to introduce them later, after problems arise. 

For example, parents can make clear rules against using phones right before bedtime or at the dinner table. If you explain boundaries like these up front and enforce them consistently, you will quickly form positive tech habits that can last for years.

3. Re-evaluate your own tech habits

Parents need to model healthy tech habits for their children. That might mean reassessing the times and places they use their own smartphones, since children learn from and mimic the behaviours of their parents. If you’re spending every free moment scrolling Instagram, your teen will notice and think they should be, too. Plus, it will be much easier to enforce reasonable rules for your son or daughter when it’s clear that you’re trying to follow them too. You’ll come across as an ally, rather than an enemy, who aspires to have the same kind of healthy relationship with your device that you expect of them.

4. Set up parental control software

Smartphones are incredibly powerful, and for teens, learning to use one safely is a lot like learning to drive a car. A teen’s first car can provide a life-changing sense of independence and autonomy. But, as we all know, cars can also be dangerous, even when they’re used correctly. No parent in their right mind would just give their car keys to their child without first teaching them to drive. Parents should approach new devices similarly. Trusting your children with a new device can be a gradual process that doesn’t need to feel like an all-or-nothing decision.

For example, before you give your teen their first device, you can set up a customised parental control app that filters explicit content and allows parents to block particular apps. On the modern internet, age-appropriate content is intermingled with harmful content, especially pornography. Sadly, too many children are now exposed to it before they turn thirteen. 

You can start with more safeguards, while your teen first gets used to their new smartphone, and gradually give them more independence as they begin to learn good habits and demonstrate responsible behaviour. With this approach, your teen’s phone can grow with them over time.

5. Set the stage for more conversations

For teens nowadays, getting their first smart device is a major milestone on the gradual journey toward becoming a responsible, well-adjusted adult. With every passing year, smart devices play a greater and greater role in adult life. For better or worse, it’s increasingly certain that many of their most meaningful personal and professional relationships will develop and take place partly online, mediated by a screen.

For your teen, getting familiar with their first smart device is just the beginning of a much longer learning process. As they spend more time online and encounter unfamiliar people and new situations, they will undoubtedly have many questions. In preparation for this, you should let your teen know that you are always available to talk, no matter the topic. It’s especially important to emphasise to them that if anything that happens online makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, it’s best to tell you about it right away, because you can help. That way, when uncomfortable topics like sexting and pornography (which, unfortunately, more and more children are exposed to every year) inevitably come up, they’ll feel comfortable going to you first for advice and guidance.

It’s worth mentioning that getting a new smart device is almost as significant of an event for parents as it is for children. Don’t worry if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the prospect of your child having free rein over their very own device – that’s totally normal. After all, you’re part of the first generation of parents ever to navigate this particular set of challenges. Unlike with other aspects of parenting, there’s no tried and true established wisdom to guide parents on how to best handle their child's developing tech habits. And on top of that, technology trends change so quickly that parents often feel they have no chance of keeping up. By the time they finally learn how Snap-chat works, for example, their children have moved on.

Fortunately, you don’t have to do everything perfectly to make a positive difference. Think of your teen’s first device as an opportunity for you to grow and learn as a parent, much like it is for your son or daughter. And remember that you’re not alone in this – many other parents with children of similar age are asking the same questions, struggling with the same decisions, and having the same doubts. Sharing your tech journey with other like-minded families can help both parents and children feel supported and encouraged. For parents, it’s reassuring to share thoughts and concerns and ask for advice from other parents with similar values. Your children will feel more confident and 'normal' when they know their peers’ families approach technology the same way their own does. Big challenges, like learning how to help the next generation live well with tech, are best addressed in community.

The bottom line is that as long as you approach the situation thoughtfully, with clear goals and a willingness to learn, there is a way forward. When it comes to helping children learn to flourish with technology, even when you’re not perfect, you can have a huge positive impact on your own children's’ lives and on your community.

Sean Clifford is a father of four and the founder and CEO of Canopy.

SMART PARENTS GIVE THEIR CHILDREN DUMB PHONES!!!

After months of speculation, the Prime Minister has just disclosed that federal Labor intends to introduce a new law lifting the minimum age of social media to 16 years.

It’s not quite the “gold standard” of 18 years that the Heads Up Alliance has been lobbying for, but it is still world-leading and we are extremely happy with this outcome!!

Unfortunately this comes too late for the many children that have ended their lives because of  the pressures they feel and comes too late for the parents of these children who could not help them. 

Make no mistake, your child is not safe on social media or gaming platforms such as Roblox!

The damage caused is often irreversible. Lay a strong foundation to protect your children.

Gaming and Executive Function!

I want to share a story with you—one that may hit close to home, especially if you're navigating the challenges of raising children in today's tech-driven world.

Jack is like most kids his age—curious, energetic, and always eager to explore. 

However, there's one thing that seems to capture his attention more than anything else…the glowing screen of a tablet. 

Whether it’s playing games, watching videos, or hopping from one app to another, Jack's little world is increasingly centered around that screen.

At first, it seemed like a harmless way to get a break. 

After all, what’s wrong with a bit of entertainment, right? 

But over time, something started to change. 

Jack's parents noticed that he was becoming more irritable, especially when they tried to limit his screen time. 

The tantrums were fierce, the fights overtaking the tablet away became daily battles, and Jack seemed to struggle with tasks that required patience or focus.

What Jack’s parents didn’t realize was that his developing brain was being shaped in ways they couldn’t see. 

Executive functioning skills—like working memory, self-control, and flexible thinking—are built through activities that engage a child's mind using all of their senses. 

When a child like Jack spends too much time on technology, they miss out on these essential activities. 

That is the emphasis here - too much screen time hurts their developing brain. 

Their brains are in a crucial period of development, highly plastic, and responsive to the environment around them. 

When that environment is dominated by instant gratification and constant stimulation from screens, it can hinder their ability to develop patience, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills.

Jack's story is not unique. 

Many parents are seeing similar patterns in their children—difficulties in focusing on tasks, managing time, and transitioning between activities. 

The constant dopamine hits from screen time can create an addiction that’s hard to break, leading to meltdowns when the tablet is taken away. 

The impact extends beyond the home—children may struggle academically and socially as their underdeveloped executive functioning skills make it harder to stay organized, manage emotions, and solve problems.

But it doesn't have to be this way. 

There are steps you can take to ensure your child’s brain is developing in a balanced, healthy environment. 

Here are some suggestions from Justin Coulson

Protect Your Child on Roblox: The Hidden Dangers Unveiled

The topic of Roblox in the classroom and at home continues here at school and so we’re bringing your attention again to this popular and concerning game. We’ve spoken to our online safety partners, Safe on Social, to update our parent community to some disturbing updates to this game that parents should be aware of.

Safe on Social revealed to us nearly one-third of the students they’ve spoken to have been asked to be someone's boyfriend or girlfriend on Roblox! As the popularity of Roblox skyrockets, it's crucial to pause and consider the darker side of this virtual playground. 

Safe on Social is stepping up to reveal the truths behind Roblox—a platform that offers boundless fun but also presents very real dangers lurking beneath its surface.

There is a feature on Roblox we wanted to bring to your attention. Ro-Meet on Roblox isn't just a game; it's a Pandora's box of danger, masquerading as a 'friendly' chat room. Despite Roblox's claims to clamp down on stranger interaction,  Ro-Meet is skirting around these controls, leaving kids wide open to potential harm.

RoZoom is also a feature similar to Zoom where strangers can chat to children. Despite Roblox's assurances of making it "extremely difficult" for strangers to contact kids, Ro-Meet is freely available in an 'All Ages' section, raising significant concerns about our children's safety online.

What can parents do? Here are some tips from Safe on Social:

●  Have honest conversations with your kids about the real dangers of talking to strangers and oversharing online. Educate them about the risks they may encounter on Roblox.

●  teach your children to question every interaction and piece of content they encounter online. Empower them to make informed decisions.

●  Monitor what your children are playing, who they're chatting with, and where they're spending their time on Roblox.

●  Activate every safety feature available on Roblox to enhance your child's online safety.

Roblox is a metaverse game offering a virtual world where users can create, explore, and interact. With millions of active experiences and user-generated content, it’s crucial to talk to young people about the platform differently. 

We should encourage kids to think of  “going to” Roblox, rather than "playing" Roblox, as playing normalises so scary behaviours happening in Roblox. 

Virtual sexual assault, child predation, adult level sexualised content, and age inappropriate experience are all over it. So we should get kids to think of Roblox like visiting a shopping centre, to emphasise the need for safety and awareness that they would use if they were in a shopping centre on their own.

By using the shopping centre analogy, kids can better understand the diverse spaces and activities within Roblox and take steps to ensure their safety and well-being.

Here are a few of the things you could  talk to your children about:

Remind kids that the goal isn’t to stop them from playing, but to teach them how to be safer.

For primary school kids, suggest using a password system with their friends to ensure they are playing with the right people. Give a friend at school a password and when they connect on chat...ask for the password...and if they don't get it right immediately stop chat.

Encourage open communication so they feel comfortable discussing their online experiences.

There are now more than 6 million experiences within Roblox and growing by the minute. There is a big problem with experiences within Roblox being labelled "all ages" when they are most certainly not appropriate for young kids. Therefore parental controls are especially failing and parents need to be more involved rather than set and forget.

When exploring in Roblox think of it as a vast shopping centre where you can explore various shops, games, and activities. 

Kids love it as they can dress up their avatars, spend Robux, and interact with different environments and people and explore. Just like in a shopping centre, they have the freedom to explore and would usually do that with an adult present, but in Roblox on their own they need to be even more aware of their surroundings. You would not drop your young child off to wander a shopping centre on their own for an hour or two...yet Roblox is the exact online equivalent. 

Social Interactions

In a shopping centre, you meet and interact with various people. Similarly, in Roblox, players chat, team up, and make friends. It’s important for kids to know who they are interacting with, just as they would in real life.

Creation and Ownership

Think of children setting up their own shops in a shopping centre. In Roblox, they can create their own games and spaces, fostering creativity. This creativity must be balanced with safety. They should always follow the rules and ensure their creations are appropriate.

Safety and Supervision

Shopping centres have security, but parents still need to watch their children. Roblox has safety features like content filters and parental controls, but parental involvement is crucial. Kids must understand that parents set rules for how they spend time on Roblox, just like they would in a shopping centre.

Financial Transactions

Kids can spend money in both a shopping centre and Roblox. In Roblox, they can buy virtual items and currency (Robux). This can also be a great learning experience where kids monitor their spending and it can teach them the value of money in both worlds. Again they need to understand the risks.

If they were in a shopping centre and a random stranger walked up and started talking to them or suggested they go somewhere else they would tell a trusted adult immediately. In Roblox being moved to another platform (Snapchat, Tiktok, Omegle, Discord etc)by another "Robloxian" may have the same risk as getting in a car and going somewhere with a complete stranger. 

If you need tips about anything else please list them below and I will start sharing these things here. 

You can find our online learning modules here 

https://www.theonlinesafetyagency.com/category/parents 

and here

https://www.theonlinesafetyagency.com/category/free

'Get Paid to Play' games can be a minefield for both adults and children. These platforms, with their promises of easy money for playing games, can be particularly seductive. As a parent, you must equip your children with the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to discern the legitimacy of these opportunities. Here's how you can approach the conversation:

Start with Curiosity, Not Judgment

Begin by expressing genuine interest in the games your children play or are interested in. Ask them what they enjoy about gaming and if they've encountered any 'Get Paid to Play' opportunities. Starting with an open and curious approach can lead to more productive conversations than immediately expressing concern or scepticism.

Share the Appeal and the Realities

Acknowledge that earning money through gaming is exciting and could seem like a dream come true. However, it's crucial to discuss the reality that not all opportunities are as lucrative or straightforward as they appear. While some platforms may offer legitimate rewards, many are designed to exploit players' time and money.

Discuss the Importance of Research

Emphasise the importance of thorough research before engaging with any 'Get Paid to Play' platform. Guide them on how to check reviews, read terms and conditions carefully, and verify the security of payment methods. Please encourage them to look for information beyond the game's website or advertisements, such as user experiences shared on forums or social media.

Teach Them to Spot Red Flags

Discuss common red flags, such as the requirement to pay money upfront, promises of unrealistically high rewards, or lack of clear information about how earnings are calculated. Teach them the value of scepticism in the online world and the importance of questioning offers that seem too good to be true.

Teach the Value of Privacy

Stress the importance of protecting personal and financial information online. Explain that legitimate games and platforms should never require invasive amounts of personal information or payment details without offering precise, secure processing methods.

Create an Atmosphere of Open Communication

Let your children know they can come to you with questions or concerns about online gaming opportunities. Assure them that you aim to support and protect them, not to restrict their fun. Creating an environment where they feel comfortable discussing their online activities will help keep them safe.

Lead by Example

Show them how you evaluate online offers and decide what to trust online. Your approach to showing them how to legitimise online content can serve as a powerful model for your children.

https://www.safeonsocial.com/post/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-get-paid-to-play-games

ARE YOU WATCHING WHAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE DOING 

AND WHO THEY ARE TALKING TO?

KNOW ABOUT RO-MEET and ROZOOM? 

YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOUR CHILDREN PLAY THIS 'GAME.'

Parents, brace yourselves for this shocker! Ro-Meet on Roblox isn't just a game; it's a Pandora's box of danger, masquerading as a 'friendly' chatroom. It's basically Omegle in Roblox! The tagline might as well be "Talk to strangers" ring any alarm bells?

Despite Roblox claiming to clamp down on stranger interaction, Ro-Meet is skirting around these controls. Our kids are left wide open to who knows what!

And get this—RoZoom! A Zoom in Roblox? Kids chatting to strangers face-to-face? This is not just wrong; it's terrifying.

Roblox's website says they make it "extremely difficult" for strangers to contact kids. Then what in the world is Ro-Meet doing in an 'All Ages' section?

Here's what to do

Talk!!!!

Drill into your kids the real dangers of talking to strangers and oversharing online!

Please know that kids are encountering rubbish behaviour on this game.

Watch them like a hawk!

Know what they're playing, who they're chatting with, and where they're hanging out on Roblox.

Lockdown the Controls

Activate every single safety feature. Roblox has them; make them work for you.

Boost Their Smarts

Teach them to question every interaction and piece of content.

Report, Then Report Some More

Spot something off? Report it. Keep Roblox accountable for our kids' safety.

Report to your local law enforcement if you even slightly suspect online grooming.

Please note in the screenshot below "apchat" is Snapchat - an attempt to move a child who was lying about her age straight off the platform to one that is harder to police. We see this far too often with predatory behaviour.

We've got to keep our children's online playgrounds as safe as we demand the real ones to be.

Join our webinar on Roblox March 28th more info is here:

https://www.safeonsocial.com/event-details/the-secrets-to-safeguarding-kids-on-roblox

The above information is taken from Safe on Social. 

Please if you need assistance with any online safety issues, we are here to help!

5 Tips Every Parent Needs To Know About Roblox

Roblox is a popular online gaming platform that is immensely popular with young people - and our students. The platform allows users to create, play, and share their games and experiences in 3D. Roblox is an interactive, multiplayer, user generated 3D world with over 43 million active users daily, with exactly half of those 43 million daily users aged under thirteen years. As a parent, it's essential to understand how to ensure your child's safety while they explore this virtual world. 

Here are five key tips to keep in mind: 

1. Account Safety and Settings. When setting up your child's Roblox account, prioritise safety. Avoid using real names, use an appropriate birthdate to enable relevant restrictions, provide your email address, and establish parental controls. This ensures a safer online environment for your child. 

2. Friend Requests and Chat Restrictions. Log into your child's Roblox account and access the Settings icon to limit or disable friend requests and online chat capabilities. This step helps control interactions within the platform, preventing potential exposure to inappropriate content. 

3. Active Involvement and Communication. Play Roblox with your child and learn how to block and report any inappropriate content. Encourage open conversations about their online experiences, creating a safe space for them to share thoughts and concerns. 

4. Awareness of Risks. Be aware that Roblox may contain certain instances of inappropriate content, such as avatars with explicit themes. Activate Roblox's child safety filters and monitor your child's activities on the platform to ensure their online safety. 

5. Setting Boundaries and Educating. Establish clear guidelines for when and how long your child can play Roblox. Keep gaming devices out of bedrooms or set usage curfews. Additionally, educate your child about never sharing personal information online and caution them against falling for scams promising "free robux." 

Safe on Social, CEO, Kirra Pendergast has recently directed her team, after a year of asking tens of thousands of young individuals, to cease referring to it as "playing online games", and instead start discussing "visiting places". She explains, “It's no longer just about winning points, but about spending a portion of their lives in these online environments. We need to revise the way we converse with kids about gaming risks and app usage, which would in turn alter their perspective.” 

She uses Roblox as an example. Roblox isn't simply a game, it's a platform that enables users to create and share their own games and virtual worlds, becoming the first of the metaverse games. 

Instead of saying they're "playing Roblox," I have described it as "Going to a Roblox world." "Going to Bloxburg or Brookhaven" as examples that will resonate with your kids. This language shift, she believes, has enhanced children's comprehension that they're not merely messing around in a fictitious world, but engaging in a realistic environment with tangible implications. However, parents, educators, police, and government agencies need to adopt the same language for this to work effectively. 

By eliminating the term "play", we discourage normalising activities that should not be associated with "playing" at all....ever, such as predation, sextortion, scams, and online bullying. 

Regularly staying informed about Roblox's updates, features, and changes is vital to maintaining your child's safety in this dynamic virtual world. By implementing these tips and fostering an open dialogue, you can ensure your child's enjoyable and secure experience on Roblox.