Raising Your Child in a Digital World:

Finding a healthy balance of time online without techno tantrums and conflict

Parents

Phone Bans in Schools

Apr 4, 2023
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Phone bans in schools is a hotly debated topic, with polarising opinions between some teachers, school leaders and parents. News that NSW public high schools will implement phone bans from late 2023 has reignited this debate once again.  Banning phones in schools has become an Australian and global trend, proving popular with many parents, teachers […]

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Why YOUR Tech Habits Matter

Feb 7, 2023
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For many years, adults have been quick to point the finger at kids and teens and declare that they’re ‘addicted’ to their digital devices and constantly distracted. Whilst very few of us would argue against the fact that many young people are spending inordinate amounts of time plugged in to devices (for both leisure and […]

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Dangerous Digital Contagions

Nov 24, 2022
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Have you ever noticed that your kids/teens seem to always imitate your partner’s traits, mannerisms and behaviours (and it’s usually their worst traits)? Have you noticed that when you accidentally swear in front of a young child, a couple of days later they drop the exact same clanger, often in the most inopportune of times […]

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How to wean the screen: emerging from lockdown with your kids’ digital wellbeing

Nov 24, 2021
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After our longest round of lockdowns yet, parents everywhere are celebrating as our kids are settling back into school to finish term four. But after a challenging few months of trying to juggle work and school, reliance on technology has increased and our kids are using screens more than ever, affecting their digital wellbeing.  In […]

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Simple Solutions to Stop Digital Fatigue

Jul 28, 2021
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Whether your kids are learning remotely, or spending a lot of time doing online homework, study or assignments (not to mention, their gaming or social media use), chances are they’re experiencing ‘digital fatigue’. Many children and teens are reporting feeling sore eyes, headaches, musculoskeletal aches and pains (such as ‘tech-neck), an inability to focus online, […]

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Stop Digital Distractions Diverting Your Screenagers’ Focus

May 20, 2021
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Today’s students are living in a world with constant digital distractions vying for their attention. The endless badgering of pings, alerts and notifications can have a serious impact on students’ ability to focus and learn. The proliferation of smartphones and digital technologies such as laptops, smartwatches, gaming consoles and tablets has ushered in an era […]

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Simple solutions to stop screens sabotaging sight

Feb 11, 2021
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A common question I’m asked by parents and teachers alike relates to the impact of screen time on children’s and adolescents’ vision. There’s been increasing media attention on the impact of digitalised childhoods and adolescence and the possible association between increasing rates of myopia, near-sightedness. Basically, they want to know if too much time on […]

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Unpacking ‘The Social Dilemma’

Oct 29, 2020
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The Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma has garnered much attention in recent weeks,  in mainstream media and ironically on the social media platforms that were vilified in the documentary. The Social Dilemma proposes that social media companies manipulate users by using algorithms and persuasive design principles that result in ‘addiction’ to their platforms. It also suggests that […]

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Set Digital Boundaries

Sep 22, 2020
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WARNING- this blog post talks about suicide. If you, or anyone you know requires help in a crisis call Lifeline on 13 11 14. In recent weeks, if I’m really honest, I’ve found it incredibly challenging to be a digital wellbeing ‘expert’. I’ve been bombarded with horrific and devastating stories of kids, some of whom […]

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Why Your Kids Might be Experiencing a Digital Hangover

Jun 15, 2020
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Have your kids/teens recently transitioned back to school after months of remote learning at home? They were probably spending more time than ever plugged-in and on devices during the home isolation period (I know my kids were). Their digital devices became their portal for leisure and learning: they used devices to complete school work, connect […]

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