With their 11-year-old son gearing up for secondary school this September, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher made the decision to provide him with a mobile phone. However, before handing over the device, the couple understood the importance of having conversations among themselves and with their son.
“It’s crucial to consider how to manage and ensure their safety with access to so much content,” mentioned Giovanna, 40. “The thought of this aspect has always been daunting for me. There’s a plethora of statistics about children encountering inappropriate content, in addition to concerns about mental health. This is why parents must engage in dialogues with their children to empower them.”
Following the holiday season, where numerous children received smartphones as gifts, families are now navigating the challenges and benefits that accompany this technology. To support this journey, a campaign named The Family Chat, in collaboration with Tesco Mobile, has been launched to encourage families to discuss online device usage, regardless of their children’s age.
Throughout the upcoming year, 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 participating in the campaign, emphasizing that it helps fill knowledge gaps that benefit her own family.
Giovanna and Tom, who is a children’s author and the frontman of McFly, have two other sons aged seven and nine. These children use tablets to communicate with their parents, grandparents, and cousins, play online games, and engage in video calls. Giovanna emphasized the importance of communication, especially when she and Tom are away for work.
“When our eldest started high school, we wanted him to be able to reach us. He now has one of our old smartphones, but we have implemented restrictions to ensure functionality without distractions. The phone has no internet access and is connected to Tom’s phone, requiring his permission for any downloads,” explained Giovanna.
Giovanna also recognized the risk of excessive screen time not only for kids but also for adults. The family has established rules such as no phones in the bedroom or at the dinner table, and minimizing phone use when the kids are around.
“When you provide a child with a phone with internet access, you essentially grant them access to the entire world. For us, it’s about gradually introducing this technology as they mature and are ready for it,” she added.
To ensure children’s online safety, experts recommend setting up a child account on new devices for easier parental control management, ensuring the correct age is entered, activating safety filters, utilizing parental controls, and maintaining open discussions about online activities and smartphone usage.
Dr. Rebecca Whittington, Reach’s online safety editor, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safe setup of a new phone to prevent potential online risks.