Preparing for their 11-year-old son’s transition to secondary school in September, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher decided it was time for him to have a mobile phone.
Prior to giving him the device, the couple understood the importance of having conversations with each other and with their son.
Expressing her concerns, 40-year-old Giovanna said, “Smartphones offer extensive access – it’s crucial to consider how to manage that access effectively to ensure their safety.”
“Introducing a phone into our lives is something I’ve been apprehensive about. There are numerous reports of children encountering inappropriate content, coupled with worries about mental health. These reasons emphasize the necessity for parents to engage in discussions with their children to empower them,” she added.
As the holiday season sees numerous children receiving smartphones as gifts, families are now navigating the challenges and benefits associated with this technology.
Over the coming year, a campaign called The Family Chat, in collaboration with Tesco Mobile, will be running. The initiative aims to encourage families to discuss online device usage, regardless of their children’s age.
The campaign will highlight available support and resources, including Tesco Mobile’s age-specific toolkits and assistance for parents and children.
Giovanna expressed her enthusiasm for the campaign, stating, “I appreciate being part of this initiative as it helps me fill gaps in my knowledge that benefit our family. As parents, we often feel pressured to have all the answers, but Tesco Mobile’s resources and online hub simplify the process.”
Giovanna and her husband Tom, a children’s author and frontman of the band McFly, have two younger sons aged seven and nine. These boys have tablets that enable them to communicate with family members, play online games, and video call each other.
Explaining the rationale behind giving their eldest a phone for high school, Giovanna shared, “We wanted him to be able to reach us. While he has one of our old smartphones, we have implemented restrictions on its usage. It was important for us that he sees it as a functional tool, not just a gadget for entertainment. The phone has no internet access and is linked to Tom’s phone, preventing unauthorized downloads.”
“Maintaining an open dialogue with him is crucial – explaining the reasons behind the restrictions helps the kids understand and respect the rules,” she added.
Giovanna acknowledged that excessive screen time is not just a concern for children and emphasized setting boundaries such as no phones in the bedroom or at the dinner table.
She emphasized, “When you provide a child with a smartphone and internet access, you’re essentially granting them access to the entire online world. For us, it’s about gradual exposure, aligning with their readiness.”
Here are some tips to help your children stay safe online:
1. Set up a child account
Setting up a child account when a child gets a new device enables easier management of parental controls, screen time, and app access. Adjusting settings as they grow is crucial.
2. Use the correct age
Ensure the child’s real age is entered on their account to activate appropriate safety settings automatically.
3. Turn on safety filters
Verify that safety and search filters are activated on all search engines to block inappropriate content effectively.
4. Use parental controls
Our Little Digital Helps Toolkit provides free support and guidance tailored to different age groups to aid in selecting the right controls for your family.
5. Keep the conversation going
Regularly discussing online activities and smartphone use is essential. Meal times offer an opportunity to engage and monitor what your child enjoys or finds challenging.
Dr. Rebecca Whittington, Reach’s online safety editor, emphasized, “In the excitement of acquiring a