Preparing for their 11-year-old son’s transition to secondary school this September, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher made the decision to provide him with a phone.
Prior to this, the couple recognized the importance of communication – both between themselves and with their son.
“The accessibility that phones offer is vast – managing this and ensuring safety are crucial considerations,” emphasized Giovanna, aged 40.
“This is a scenario I have been apprehensive about. There are numerous statistics highlighting children encountering inappropriate content, in addition to concerns about mental health. This underscores the necessity for parents to engage in conversations with their children, empowering them in the process.”
Following the festive season, numerous children unwrapped smartphones as Christmas gifts, leading families to navigate the challenges and benefits that accompany this technology.
Over the upcoming year, a campaign named The Family Chat, in collaboration with Tesco Mobile, will be launched. The initiative aims to encourage families to discuss online device usage, regardless of their children’s current stage of development.
The campaign will highlight available support and resources, including Tesco Mobile’s age-specific toolkits and parental guidance.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the campaign, Giovanna stated, “I am excited to be part of this initiative. It will help fill the gaps in my knowledge, benefiting our family. As parents, we often feel pressured to have all the answers, but Tesco Mobile’s resources and online platform make the process much simpler.”
Giovanna, together with her husband Tom, a frontman for McFly and a children’s author, parents two additional sons aged seven and nine. These boys have access to tablets for messaging family members and engaging in online activities like gaming and video calls.
“It serves as a means of communication. With both Tom and I frequently away due to work commitments, it is essential for the kids to know they can reach out to us at any time,” Giovanna explained.
She further shared, “When our eldest started high school, we wanted him to have the means to contact us. He has one of our older smartphones, but we have implemented restrictions on its functionalities. Our aim was for it to be practical rather than a device for endless entertainment. It lacks internet access and is linked to Tom’s phone, preventing him from downloading anything without Tom’s approval.
“Maintaining an open dialogue with him is crucial – explaining the measures in place and their purpose is vital. The children grasp the concept better when they understand the rationale behind it.”
Giovanna also acknowledged that excessive screen time is not solely a concern for children.
“Phones are not allowed in the bedroom, we refrain from using them at the dinner table, and whenever the kids are present, we make a conscious effort to limit our phone usage.
“By providing a child with a phone that has internet capabilities, you are essentially granting them access to the entire online world. For us, it’s about introducing this gradually, based on their readiness.”
Here’s how to help your kids stay safe online…
1. Establish a child account
Upon receiving a new device, setting up a child account facilitates the management of parental controls, screen time, and app accessibility, allowing adjustments as the child matures.
2. Ensure accurate age input </