Parents Advice Hub

  It’s highly likely that you have heard of an online challenge known as Momo over the last few days. So serious are the concerns about this that the Gardai have issued advice to parents in relation to it. The Laois Offaly Division of the Garda Siochana issued the following statement via Twitter in relation…

  Does your child enjoy spending time using apps that have a ‘live’ element to them? This live element is known as streaming. It usually involves creating short videos and sharing them with friends via an app. It can also refer to communicating via video with other users of the app. These are not always…

  We have all received emails with content that shocks us, be that it contains pornographic material or uses provocative images and language. As adults we have the maturity to be able to know when content is inappropriate or indeed sinister. Absolutely understandably children are still developing the skills to be able to differentiate between…

In case you missed the memo today marks Safer Internet Day 2019! The theme this year is Together for A Better Internet, it’s essentially a call to action to all stakeholders to come together and play their part in creating a better internet for everyone! Needless to say, we are fully behind this initiative! Anything…

It may sound very formal, but have you considered creating a digital contract with your child to help manage things like the use of technology, screentime and time spent communicating with their peers using apps? A digital contract can be a great way for all the family to feel part of the decisions that are…

Are you finding it a challenge to start having a conversation with your child about the importance of staying safe online? Have a read of our simple tips to help you get started! Open Communication is the key: The most effective tool you have as a parent is communication! By having an open communication style with…

  Are you constantly hearing reference to Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram and lots of other social networks from your child and their friends? It’s likely the answer is yes! If your child is active on any of these platforms, then they are engaged in what is termed social networking. Today’s kids embrace social media and technology,…

    It’s likely you have seen coverage in the media in the last few days about a new angle on the management of screentime. It’s certainly one of the biggest challenges facing parents, how to manage their kids use of screens. It’s a question we are asked regularly when we meet parents at our…

  Make staying safe online an all year round resolution by following these simple tips! Start and keep the conversation going: Talk to your child as much as possible about how important it is to stay safe when they are online. It is never too early to start this conversation. The internet is undoubtedly a…

Did a smartphone enter your house this Christmas? Read on for some advice on helping your child manage the use of their phone! Smartphones are now seen as an almost essential component in the way we communicate with each other and the world around us, and that’s just for the adults! An increasing number of…

  Does it feel like your teenager is constantly attached to a device and seems more engaged with social media than with you? Here are some tips to help your child to stay safe on social media!   -Take every opportunity possible to remind teenagers that what they see when they are using social media is only a snippet of people’s lives…

  It’s likely that your teen will experiment with live streaming on any new technology they may have received this Christmas. Read on for some advice on how to ensure that they stay safe. Live streaming apps like Facebook Live and Periscope are becoming increasingly popular among teenagers. Apps like these offer an opportunity to…