Facebook Messenger Kids Review
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

Facebook Messenger Kids Review

If you have a child under 13 who wants to chat with their friends and family online, you might be wondering if there is a safe and fun app for them to use. Facebook has created Messenger Kids, an app that lets kids connect and communicate with people they know and trust. But is it really safe? And how can you make sure your child has a positive experience on the app?

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Tracking apps and tags privacy or safety?
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

Tracking apps and tags privacy or safety?

You might think that tracking your child is a breach of privacy. And you would be right. Following your child without their consent can damage their trust in you, make them feel controlled and violated, and interfere with their development of autonomy and independence. It can also backfire if your child learns about it or tries to evade it by turning off their device or leaving it behind.

However, some situations may be where tracking your child could save their life.

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How To Protect A Child On Apples Safari Browser
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

How To Protect A Child On Apples Safari Browser

How can parents protect children when they are searching online via Safari

With increasingly younger children having access to digital devices, parents need to know how to keep them safe from adult content when searching the web.

Some children use the search function via a browser on their devices to find content. They might be searching for a school project for something they like, a cartoon or a toy. But for children using search via Safari or any internet browser, it comes with risks of exposure to adult content.

In this latest blog post I show you how.

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Dangerous Roblox Game “Ro-Meet”
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

Dangerous Roblox Game “Ro-Meet”

Recently, a new game called Ro-Meet hosted on Roblox (rated for “All Ages”- G rated) was brought to my attention by Marty from "Inform & Empower" This inappropriate game has been gaining popularity on Roblox, and it's causing concern among parents and online safety advocates. The game is scarily similar to Omegle 18+, a website allowing users to chat anonymously with strangers, which is regarded as the most dangerous platform online for young people. Read more at the link……..

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Is Mastodon Safe For Kids?
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

Is Mastodon Safe For Kids?

If you've been seeing cute "Wooly Mammoths" or Mastodons popping up in posts on social media recently, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. In this post, we'll take a closer look at what Mastodon is and whether it is appropriate for teens. In this latest blog post, we find out what Mastodon is, and I discuss its suitability for children.

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The Mobile Phone Ban in Australian Schools
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

The Mobile Phone Ban in Australian Schools

Should mobile phones be banned in all Australian Schools?

Most educators and staff I have spoken to in my role as an eSafety and Digital Parenting educator believe that mobile phone use in schools is at the very least distracting and at worst dangerous. Research shows that smartphones may also increase issues around exposure to harmful content, self-harm and body image and certainly have accelerated the rise of online bullying.

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"Is it safe for kids to chat in Online Games?"
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

"Is it safe for kids to chat in Online Games?"

As parents, it's essential to teach our children about online safety from a young age. One of the most important lessons to impart is the danger of talking to strangers online. "Protecting Your Child from Online Strangers: A Guide for Parents" will provide you with the information and tools you need to keep your child safe while they navigate the digital world.

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Top Tips For BYOD In Schools

Top Tips For BYOD In Schools

With schools back in session, many parents in Australia are tasked with buying a laptop for their children. BYOD refers to “Bring Your Own Device”

As a parent, the school-issued laptop can either become the source of constant headaches with the need for monitoring and setting usage boundaries or a valuable tool for your child's education and learning.

To make the most out of this device and ensure your child's safety, it's crucial to select the right laptop and set it up correctly. In this post, we guide parents through the process of choosing the perfect school laptop and provide tips to maintain a safe and balanced experience with their new Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) setup.

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13 and social!
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

13 and social!

Are you overwhelmed by setting up a social media account for your 13-year-old child? You're not alone. As a parent, balancing giving your child the freedom to explore the digital world and keeping them safe from potential dangers can be challenging. In this blog post, Leonie Smith, The Digital Families Counsellor, shares her expert advice on setting up a safe and secure social media account for your teenager while protecting them from cyberbullying and other negative online experiences. Keep reading to learn how you can guide your child through social media and give them the tools they need to stay safe and responsible online.

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YouTube Kids app Review
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

YouTube Kids app Review

YouTube Kids Review

YouTube Kids is a safer option than YouTube 13+. Parents can moderate the videos and set parental controls for more appropriate viewing. But there are a few things parents need to be aware of. In this blog post, I show you what you need to know about YouTube and YouTube Kids.

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Keeping Kids Safer On YouTube:
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

Keeping Kids Safer On YouTube:

YouTube Safety

YouTube is rated 13+ but has 18+ videos. It is not safe for children and younger teens without restrictions and supervision. In her latest post, Leonie Smith from “Digital Families Counselling” helps parents understand some new settings for YouTube and safer options for watching videos online.

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Battle Kitty Review Warning For Parents
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

Battle Kitty Review Warning For Parents

“BATTLE KITTY” RATED 7+

Available on Netflix Kids and YouTube Kids, has sexualised dance moves and outfits. Is it really suitable for 7-year-olds? Leonie Smith The Digital Families Counsellor Reviews.

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Buying Your Childs 1st Smart Phone
Smart Phones & Mob... Leonie Smith Smart Phones & Mob... Leonie Smith

Buying Your Childs 1st Smart Phone

As a “Digital Families Counsellor”, I've seen firsthand the positive and negative impacts technology can have on children and families. In this video, I'll discuss some important things to consider before buying your child their first smartphone, including safety, maturity, and how to help your child have a safe and balanced experience with their new device. So if you're thinking about getting your child a smartphone, click play for some valuable information and tips.

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Kids deleting browser history?
Leonie Smith Leonie Smith

Kids deleting browser history?

It's becoming harder and harder to tell if your child is deleting their browser history to hide their online behaviour from parents. Most devices come with parental controls. But what should parents do if they find their child is getting sneaky with deleting their web searches? Read this helpful post from Leonie Smith from Digital Breezes Counselling

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