My thoughts: The guidelines given on the site below are common sense and well worth a read. Some parents establish an informal contract with their children and their allotted screen time - this is also a worthwhile exercise since the children have ownership in determining the dos and don'ts and are more likely to adhere to them. Bottom line is we are all role models, and showing an interest in everything your child does (virtual or not) is the key ingredient.

Source: www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-to-set-screen-rules-that-stick

Our thoughts: the contents of the image below have been circulating amongst our students over the past few days within their social networks on their mobile devices, and will no doubt cause anxiety, stress & fear. It would be a good idea to talk in advance with your children about what steps they should follow if they receive an email like this. There breadth of issues classified within e-safety are considerable, but can be categorised into three areas of risk:

1) content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material

2) contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users

Thoughts: If you're like me the temptation to hand over your iPhone or iPad to your restless children when in a restaurant, airport, back-of-the-car etc can be simply too much. What you can do though is turn that opportunity into a learning experience. With a well chosen, fun, entertaining and ultimately educational app locked down so that your children cannot navigate out or purchase things via the apps store your conscience is assuaged. Watch the video from Mitch on how to set-up guided assess on your ios device.

Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HC99ydRnhQ&feature=youtu.be

My thoughts: a simple infographic stating some of the obvious things you can do as a parent to protect your children.

Source: www.makeuseof.com/tag/keep-your-kids-safe-when-theyre-using-a-smartphone/

My thoughts: a powerful message sent to this audience - I wonder if the passers by on the street received the same message when they sent it to all phones in the vicinity?

Source: youtu.be/5Gtio4V1L3o