The Modern Parent

03/02/2023

The theme for this years is “Connect, Reflect and Protect”. I am looking forward to supporting these online chats hosted by headspace working alongside the eSafety Commissioner to help both young people and their families do just that.
See links below to register for
Sunday 5th: a chat for young people
Sunday 12th Feb: a chat for parents/carers.

Whether you are a young person or an adult supporting a young person, our professional-led online chats, hosted by trained mental health clinicians and vocational specialists, cover a range of topics to help answer any questions you may have.

22/12/2022

For young people feeling lonely and isolated, the holiday season can be a challenging time.

New research from the headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey 2022 shows nearly two thirds of surveyed young people aged 12-25 feel lonely and left out some or most of the time.

“Our message to young people who may be doing it tough at this time of year is to remind them they are not alone,” headspace CEO Jason Trethowan says.

“There are people available to help and support resources are available now. Talk with someone about how you’re feeling, whether that’s a family member or friends – or a professional service like headspace.”

View the full infographic and findings at http://bit.ly/3WAXXmF.

07/12/2022

A fabulous and comprehensive post from my friend Leonie at Digital Families Counselling

A parents guide to the online gaming store known as "Steam" What is it? Is it safe? Where are the safety and privacy settings?

What is “Steam” is it safe? Does it have parental controls and good privacy settings? This post is a parent’s guide to Steam an online gaming store that your children are probably already using.

30/11/2022

A good reminder

Today is National Computer Security Day 🌐🔐

Computers, smartphones and tablets make up an important component of our everyday lives. Globally, people average 6 hours 58 minutes of screen time per day. Cyber security is no joke.

Make use of today's importance by

🔑 updating your passwords
🔑 check your devices OS (operating systems)
🔑 update spyware and malware protection software
🔑 turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Being aware of scammers and phishing techniques is a vital way to be one step ahead of avoiding cyber threats, as is keeping your personal information private.

For more online safety tips and how to protect yourself and your devices from cybercrime and learn how to report cybercrimes and online abuse, visit ➡️ https://www.police.vic.gov.au/cybercrime-reporting-and-online-safety

19/10/2022

I’m looking forward to supporting both headspace and eSafety Commissioner in the facilitation of these fabulous (free) info sessions open to all Australian primary and secondary teachers. Feel free to share with your networks lnkd.in/gXPtzfyF

01/09/2022

Some more TikTok videos that are pretty crappy…

31/08/2022

I have done many, many podcast interviews in my time, and I love being able to chat about my work. But I especially loved this chat with Dr Ray Swann from Brighton Grammar’s Understanding Boys podcast, where I got to delve a little deeper into the personal side of my parenting.

Martine Oglethorpe is a digital wellbeing and online safe educator, speaker and writer.

For over 10 years, Martine’s blog, The Modern Parent, has been a trusted resource for parents on the challenges faced by families in the cyber world and has recently authored a new book, The Modern Parent – Raising a Great Kid in the Digital World.

If you have ever wondered if you should let your child watch Squid games, play Fortnite, get Tik Tok, Instagram, or play Call of Duty, then this episode is worth a listen.

Listen on our website in the below link, or wherever you access your podcasts.

https://www.understandingboys.com.au/podcast_posts/ -oglethorpe

10/08/2022

There is no end to what they will try!

Beware of this scam!!!!

Cybercrime Squad detectives are reminding mobile phone users to remain vigilant, after a spike in reports by victims of an emerging scam dubbed the ‘Hi Mum’ scam.

The scam involves the offender sending a text message from an unknown mobile phone number to a person on a messaging application claiming to be their son or daughter.

For more advice on how to avoid scams and what to do if you or someone you know is a victim of a scam, visit the Scamwatch website.

Anyone with information in relation to cybercrimes and scams is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

📰 Read more: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/article?id=102620

19/07/2022

Managing screentime and sharing my thoughts with Camp Australia

14/07/2022

My friend Leonie from Digital Families Counselling has written a great post explaining all things Minecraft. https://www.digitalfamiliescounselling.com.au/blog/a-parents-guide-to-minecraft

A parents guide to understanding Minecraft and the safer options for children to play it. Understand the playing Modes “Minecraft Realms” Playing on public servers and creating your own world.

07/07/2022

I always love talking to Dr Jodi Richardson and especially loved this chat on her fabulous podcast Well Hello Anxiety. We covered a lot of ground here....on all things parenting, mental health and getting supports and digital wellbeing. Thanks so much for having me Jodi.

06/07/2022

You may have heard about the new Snapchat update that allows users to track the precise location of other users via the snap map and can even give directions to get there. A few things to note however….

-Snapchat has always had the ability to see where contacts are unless the user has put their account into ghost mode.
-this is still available so turning on ghost mode still ensures no one can see your location.
-when sharing your precise location you get to choose whether it’s all your contacts, your contacts except for whoever you choose or just a few select friends.
- you can choose a time limit for your location to be available so you are not traceable 24/7.
- this may seem a bit stalky but the justification is that it can help people see where friends are and get directions to find their way to them.
- they also claim it can be seen as a safety element in that you can check friends or family made it home safe. (Yes of course you can ring but I must say I have used the find my phone app to check my kids arrived at destinations many times without having to call them up).

So in essence if your kids are on Snapchat talk to them about who needs to see where theyare at any given time and what any implications of that may be. If you’d prefer no one ever know where they are then go to the settings in the app and turn to ghost mode and also go to the settings on their phone and turn off location sharing.

03/07/2022

The realities of virtual grief …..

https://www.smh.com.au/technology/how-a-youtuber-s-death-brought-virtual-grief-into-my-family-20220703-p5aynn.html

My daughters did not even know his real name but the death of American YouTube influencer Technoblade moved them to tears. They were not alone.

01/07/2022

Still my standard response when parents ask me “how much time should my young person have on a screen?”. Regardless of the age these should be the questions we are asking instead. 30 minutes on YouTube can be a vastly different experience…. they could be researching the habits of their favourite sea creatures or they could be watching po*******hy. They could be on a social network connecting with strangers who are abusing them, or they could be feeling the connection, support and enjoying a few laughs with friends and peers. They could also be spending so much time online that they forget to move their bodies, rest their eyes and let their minds wander. Like all things raising kids there a rarely quick fixes or blanket rules…..but rather connection, conversation and keeping it real to ensure they thrive both online and off.

24/06/2022

Ha ha!

Just leaving this one here for a Friday night. 😜​​​​​​​​
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Thanks for sharing .​​​​​​​​
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📷

20/05/2022

I know a lot of people are feeling a bit stuck, lacking motivation and feeling like they are still in a metaphorical hangover from the past 2 tough years. If you need a bit of help to live the life you want, Cathy is offering this free masterclass to get you started!

You deserve to live a happy and fulfilling life! You deserve to feel loved and valued for who you are and to know that your relationship is all it can be. It's not just going to happen though. You are going to have to do something to start to change things. You know if you don't, that life will continue exactly as it is.
If that is a depressing thought, then this masterclass is a chance to get some solid, practical and easy strategies that you can implement right now to turn your life around.
Join me on my free 45 minute content filled masterclass called:
How to Rediscover You, Regain Your Spark and Zest for Life and Create a Life and Relationship you Love.
If this resonates with you I invite you to register using the link below.
https://cathyfyffe.com/1-webinar-rego/

09/05/2022

“Promoting curiosity in children, especially those from environments of economic disadvantage, may be an important, under-recognised way to address the achievement gap. Promoting curiosity is a foundation for early learning that we should be emphasising more when we look at academic achievement.”

Pupils who ask lots of questions get better results, especially those from poorer homes

07/04/2022

Always a scam to be alert to!
https://7news.com.au/news/cyber-security/simple-instagram-scam-on-the-rise-leading-to-australian-accounts-being-hacked-and-held-to-ransom-c-6230156

It may seem like nothing out of the ordinary, but cybersecurity experts warn one click is all it takes to lose everything.

23/02/2022

An interesting look at the "path to purchase" loop of Tik Tok users...
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-shares-new-insights-into-the-impact-of-tiktok-clips-in-the-purchase/618745/

TikTok's latest research report looks at the way that users and brands interact in the app.

12/02/2022

Some of the toys that filled my childhood! What have I missed that you loved….. (oh and that drink bottle not a toy but definitely bought back memories!)

10/02/2022

If you have been told your boy is having troube concentrating at school (or you suspect that may be the case....and let's face it you certainly wouldn't be alone!) then here is some great advice from the fabulous Maggie Dent

08/02/2022

Some thoughts I share with Camp Australia . Happy Safer Internet Day!

07/02/2022

Happy Safer Internet Day 2022! The theme for this year is ‘Play It Fair Online’. Head to the blog to find out all the ways you can do this themodernparent.net and to the eSafety Commissioner for more resources to play it fair online.

https://themodernparent.net/play-it-fair-online-safer-internet-day-2022/

07/02/2022

The theme of this years Safer Internet Day is 'Play it Fair Online' .....here are some ways you can help your young people do just that....

https://themodernparent.net/play-it-fair-online-safer-internet-day-2022/

This Safer Internet Day the theme is to Play it Fair Online. Here are some ways we can all remember the importance of playing it fair online

23/01/2022

The Online Safety Act now protects Australians with many new powers and revised laws to protect the safety and wellbeing of adults and children online. Well done to the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman - Grant and all at the commission for getting this one out there.

23/12/2021

Kids getting a new device this Xmas? This letter from Santa always works well…

https://themodernparent.net/kids-getting-a-device-for-christmas-grab-some-tips-and-a-letter-from-santa/

If your kids are getting a new device for Christmas you can get your tips to ensure good habits and even grab a letter from Santa.

18/11/2021

Of course parents are always going to want to know whether something is OK for their young person. They want to know what the experts think, what they need to have as ammunition in order to deliver the news to their child. But like all things, particularly those online, the answers can be nuanced, can differ with each family's set of values, with each media platform or game and with the cognitive, social and emotional develpment (or lack thereof) of each individual young person. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if your young person is ready to watch Squid games, play Fortnite or get Tik Tok....

https://themodernparent.net/should-i-let-my-child-watch-squid-games-play-fortnite-get-tik-tok/

Should I let my child watch squid games, play fortnite, get Tik Tok? Here's what you need to know before you make those decisions.

05/11/2021

Interesting call by an insurance company but yes, backed up by research!

"This is fantastic progress in understanding childhood as the right time for children to learn to recognize and mitigate risk."

26/10/2021

To all those Year 12 kids sitting exams today and over the coming weeks (my own son included) I wish you all the very best. You have already passed the biggest test over the last 2 years and done so with amazing strength and resilience. Despite sadness and disappointment, you still managed some laughs along the way I am sure. We all know these scores don’t define you or your futures in any way, but we also know that you can all look forward to achieving whatever you want in the coming years regardless of the bumps and hurdles along the way. Your families, friends and school communities will be there to enjoy the ride.