Kids, Smartphones and Social Media: The Risks and The Solutions | Catherine Price

A presentation by Catherine Price, science journalist and author on kids, smartphones, and social media.

Jon Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation called it “one of the best talks (he’s) seen on the problem of phone-based childhood,” and said that “This is the video you should share with the parents of your kids’ friends.” Catherine is funny and engaging and the video is an easy watch despite some sobering messaging up front. Price offers hope and this is definitely a video to share with other parents.

**Award Winning** CGI Animated Short Film: "Like and Follow" by Brent & Tobias | CGMeetup

When a young boy becomes dangerously aware of the beauty and dangers around him – his trusty smartphone helps him focus his attention back where it belongs. *Award Winning* CGI 3D Animated Short Film: Like and Follow Animated Short Film by Brent Forrest and Tobias Schlage.

Home Truths - Make sure your home doesn't have an open door to child sexual abusers

Home Truths is Internet Watch Foundation's latest campaign to help prevent the creation of self-generated child sexual imagery online. In 2022, we confirmed 199,363 cases of 'self-generated' imagery, a rise of 6% on 2021 when 72% of actioned reports (or 182,281) were remote-captured. Children aged 11-13 continue to appear most frequently in ‘self-generated’ imagery, although we observed a steep increase in the proportion of this type of imagery including children aged 7-10 in 2022, up 129% from 2021. Any child, no matter what their background, with unrestricted access to internet-connected devices, is at risk. We want to build resilience to the threat of self-generated sexual abuse of children, thereby reducing the number of incidences.

We want parents/carers to have an increased awareness of this problem and feel motivated and equipped to protect their children. Parents are encouraged to T.A.L.K to their children about the dangers.

Learn about the platforms and apps your child loves. Know how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.

Agree ground rules about the way you use technology as a family. Take an interest in their online life.

Talk to your child about online sexual abuse. Start the conversation – and listen to their concerns.

Why I'm always banging on about smartphones

This film is intended to raise social awareness of issues affecting the health and wellbeing of children and young people. Here is a collection of evidence to support delaying children’s access to smartphones and social media. It’s time for parents to take collective action. We now know that smartphones and social media are causing huge damage to children and young people. Regulation, on its own, is too slow and will never go far enough to protect children from the wide range of problems associated with smartphone use. Digital literacy and online safety education, on its own places too much expectation of responsibility on children for their own safety. It assumes the harm arises entirely from misuse of the technology and ignores the fact that smartphones and social media are dangerous by design and not suitable for children. www.kidsfornow.org.uk #smartphonefreechildhood