News & Updates

There are countless public service announcements (PSAs) aimed at parents and caregivers about kids, online safety, and smartphones. Many repeat the same claims. For this review, we are looking at the Smartphone Free Childhood US – "Let's Change The Norm" Campaign. Their objective is to encourage parents to delay when they give kids a phone because of online dangers

iOS 26 Roll-Out For iPhone & iPad: What Parents & Caregivers Need to Know About Apple’s New Safety Features Apple is putting safety technology front and center with its latest software release, iOS 26 (1). First announced in June and now available worldwide, the update introduces a suite of parental controls designed to make iPhones, iPads, Macs safer. These tools are not a substitute for conversations or active parenting, but they can support the boundaries you have alread

A new type of malware named “Stealerium” is being used by cybercriminals in highly invasive attacks. (1) It doesn’t just grab passwords or financial info, it actively watches for pornography searches or browsing. When it detects such content, it secretly takes screenshots of the browser and snaps a photo of the user via their webcam. All this data is then sent to criminals who can use it to blackmail victims.

The days of easily spotting a deepfake are over. Advances in AI mean the obvious giveaways, like distorted hands, awkward faces, or robotic voices, are now nearly flawless. For parents and educators, this creates a pressing challenge: helping young people question what they see and hear online. If even a viral video of bunnies on a trampoline can be fake, teaching verification has never been more important.”

based on our extensive experience delivering educational programs to schools across North America, we’ve observed that outright bans on anything that could be interpreted as sexual can lead to serious, unintended consequences.

Study of 976 U.S. kids (ages 9-10) found each extra screen hour cost ­~16 min of sleep; lost sleep explained 42 % of the screen-time/depression link. Passive scrolling was worst. Evening curfews, device-free bedrooms, and 9-11 h sleep can protect mood, no bans needed, just balanced habits.

We predict teens will be drawn into a new digital trend: creating AI avatars, or “Supermodels,” that simulate intimate conversations for money on platforms like OhChat. While marketed as passive income, this comes with serious risks, loss of control over one’s likeness, legal consequences, and exploitation.

Despite alarming headlines, the recent “password leak” isn’t a new breach, it’s a repackaging of old, stolen credentials. Parents shouldn’t panic but use this as a chance to review and improve digital safety. Check devices, update passwords, enable 2FA, and teach kids smart security habits.

Apple and Google warn teens of nudity in messages, but their tools are easy to bypass and fail to truly prevent digital sexual harm or support victims.

Google's AI chatbot Gemini is now accessible to kids under 13 by default, raising safety concerns and putting responsibility on parents after the fact.

Energy drinks may seem harmless, but for teens they can trigger heart issues, seizures, and poor sleep—talk to your gamer about safer options.

Not all kids have adults protecting them online—Duty of Care laws are needed to hold Big Tech accountable for building safer platforms for all youth.

TikTok’s algorithm can funnel teens—especially boys—toward adult content and subscription platforms like OnlyFans; parents must stay aware, involved, and talk early.

Looksmaxxing may seem like harmless self-improvement, but for some teen boys, it becomes a toxic gateway to insecurity, obsession, and online radicalization.

Masculinity influencers are shaping how teen boys see themselves—parents must engage, expand the definition of manhood, and support critical, emotional growth.

BOP House glamorizes monetized sexuality to teens, masking risks as empowerment; parents must guide youth with critical, open, judgment-free dialogue.

Snapchat now puts ads in teens’ private chats—removal requires a paid upgrade, raising concerns about privacy, manipulation, and subtle social pressure.

AI-generated “brain scans” from the Matter app aren't peer-reviewed science—they're creative guesses, not proof tech is rewiring your teen's brain.

Canada’s 2025 election is a digital battleground—AI deepfakes and disinformation threaten democracy. Youth need critical skills to spot what’s real.

Meta’s teen safety features are a step forward, but tech alone isn’t enough—parental involvement and stronger platform accountability are both essential.