For the past two days, I began each student's talk with these questions: “Who here is still able to access all the apps?” And for the older students: “Who has a younger sibling still with access?” In the first session, Yrs 9/10, there was hesitation. A few brave hands. I could feel the uncertainty in the room, maybe even shame or fear from those still under 16 years that they might get in trouble. I broke it open and spoke as I have become known for on LinkedIn and in inte

If you’ve ever posted a photo of your child with a smiley face or heart emoji over their face,  you’re not alone. It’s become a kind of digital parenting ritual. A signal that says, I love them, but I’m protecting them too. That instinct, to protect while still sharing, is deeply human. But here’s what most of us haven’t been told: the tools we’ve been using to protect our kids online haven’t kept up with the technology, which is now learning from them. It’s time to gently, b

Walk into any department store this Christmas and you’ll find shelves of smiling toys powered by AI. Teddy bears that “listen with love.” Dolls that promise to “grow with your child.” Robots that say they can help with maths, literacy and loneliness. These aren’t screens, and yet they’re wired just the same with microphones, sensors, data connections, companion apps, and, crucially, an invisible thread to corporate servers far beyond parental reach. Audio becomes text, text b