Snapchat has introduced a set of new features aimed at boosting user safety, with a special emphasis The Positive Changes Enhanced In-App Warnings: Snapchat has expanded its in-app warnings to alert teens Despite Snapchat’s age requirement of 13 years, there is no effective age verification on Snapchat, and This could allow them to potentially bypass Snapchat’s new location-based protections. Snapchat is just a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or bad.

followers who recently contacted us stating that something creepy and concerning happened when using Snapchat Saved snaps and stories in your Snapchat Memories. Details shared in your Snapchat profile. How you use filters, lenses, and other Snapchat features. Regularly review your Snapchat privacy settings. Snapchat’s My AI highlights the need for vigilance regarding digital privacy.

afternoon we helped a parent who was bewildered by the fact that their child was still able to access Snapchat Many parents, caregivers, and educators might be surprised to learn that Snapchat and TikTok are not This means that even if the app is removed or blocked, youth can still log in and use Snapchat and TikTok While you can block the Snapchat and TikTok website on certain browsers, it’s essential to understand Even if you block Snapchat’s or TikTok’s web version, there are other methods youth, and teens, might

, unsolicited sugaring has moved to popular youth social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat woman, let’s call her Cathy, who needed help given that she believed that her Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat Many of Vanessa’s subscribers come from a public Snapchat account that she uses as a gateway to her Only and distribute self-created intimate images and videos that parents should know about – the use of a Snapchat Snapchat Premium is not a specific app, but rather it allows the user to create a private story page

They send a phishing link to a fake login page (e.g., Snapchat, Instagram). A bio  that includes contact details such as: SnapChat usernames Links to other platforms for private [laughing emoji] Capper:  It’s just an exchange of pictures without screenshots—but on Snapchat though Shortly after moving to Snapchat, the teen sent intimate content that was then covertly recorded  and :  Snapchat can only be deactivated by deletion, but deletion gives a 30-day window to reverse. ✅  #5

/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Are internet providers and social networks doing enough to stop illegal images online? Not always! But in Canada, they have a legal obligation to act and by not doing so, it can result in significant fines. In 2011 the government of Canada introduced a legal act that requires internet providers to report and take action against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on their networks. The law mandates that internet service providers must report instances where they are informed of an internet address potentially hosting child pornography for public access. Additionally, they are required to report if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that their internet service is being utilized, or has been utilized, to engage in child pornography offences. An Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-20.7/page-1.html Now, most people in their daily lives think an Internet service provider (ISP) is the company you hire to provide you internet access. However, this Act does not limit itself there - the scope of this Act extends beyond that notion. The above mentioned Act defines an Internet service as: Any company or person providing access to the internet, hosting content online, and managing emails is by definition an internet service provider. Therefore, all have a duty to report. So what are they required to do under the Act? If CSAM is publicly available within their control, they must report it to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. /*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 */ .elementor-accordion{text-align:left}.elementor-accordion .elementor-accordion-item{border:1px solid #d5d8dc}.elementor-accordion .elementor-accordion-item+.elementor-accordion-item{border-top:none}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title{margin:0;padding:15px 20px;font-weight:700;line-height:1;cursor:pointer;outline:none}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon{display:inline-block;width:1.5em}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon.elementor-accordion-icon-right{float:right;text-align:right}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon.elementor-accordion-icon-left{float:left;text-align:left}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon .elementor-accordion-icon-closed{display:block}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon .elementor-accordion-icon-opened,.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-accordion-icon-closed{display:none}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-accordion-icon-opened{display:block}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-content{display:none;padding:15px 20px;border-top:1px solid #d5d8dc}@media (max-width:767px){.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title{padding:12px 15px}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon{width:1.2em}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-content{padding:7px 15px}}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-accordion,.e-con>.elementor-widget-accordion{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)} Duty to report Internet address Duty to report Internet address 2 If a person is advised, in the course of providing an Internet service to the public, of an Internet Protocol address or a Uniform Resource Locator where child pornography may be available to the public, the person must report that address or Uniform Resource Locator to the organization designated by the regulations, as soon as feasible and in accordance with the regulations. Furthermore, an internet service used for CSAM, either publicly or privately, must report it to a police officer Duty to notify police officer Duty to notify police officer 3  If a person who provides an Internet service to the public has reasonable grounds to believe that their Internet service is being or has been used to commit a child pornography offence, the person must notify an officer, constable or other person employed for the preservation and maintenance of the public peace of that fact, as soon as feasible and in accordance with the regulations. And the ISP must also preserve the evidence Preservation of computer data Preservation of computer data 4 (1) A person who makes a notification under section 3 must preserve all computer data related to the notification that is in their possession or control for 21 days after the day on which the notification is made. Destruction of preserved computer data (2) The person must destroy the computer data that would not be retained in the ordinary course of business and any document that is prepared for the purpose of preserving computer data under subsection (1) as soon as feasible after the expiry of the 21-day period, unless the person is required to preserve the computer data by a judicial order made under any other Act of Parliament or the legislature of a province. The kicker - Not following any of these requirements can result in $10,000 to $100,000 fine for every subsequent offence. Offence Offence 10  Every person who knowingly contravenes any of sections 2 to 5 is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction, (a) in the case of an individual, (i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000, (ii) for a second offence, to a fine of not more than $5,000, and (iii) for each subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both; and (b) in all other cases, (i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $10,000, (ii) for a second offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000, and (iii) for each subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000. What’s the point? It is great that companies need to report illegal activity, but how can this help a youth or their family? What If you are not getting the response you need from your local police? We have helped families communicate with their local police when an online crime has been committed. Thankfully in cases of CSAM, in our experience, police are very quick and helpful to respond to family’s needs. If you are not getting the help you need, having an organization by law required to report to authorities CSAM can provide the extra pressure needed to get results. It makes internet providers remove CSAM from their platform. A young person whose nude, semi-nude, or nearly nude classifies as CSAM being sent or hosted within an online service. It must be removed, reported, and preserved for police investigation. Thankfully most major social networks have responsive teams dedicated to addressing this very situation! Situations Where This Act Could Apply CSAM is being extorted (sextortion) to send money so an image will not be posted (blackmail) Who could be required to report • App/program/service used to communicate the threats. • App/program/service used to where the image was sent through. • App/program/service used to where the image is being hosted • Internet provider used by the youth and the extorter. CSAM is actively being shared with others without consent. Who could be required to report • App/program/service used to send the images. • App/program/service used to where the images are hosted • Internet provider(s) used to distribute the images How to Inform an Internet Service If you have ever asked for help from a social network, you know talking to a real person is very unlikely. Often we are stuck with online report forms. Thankfully, sometimes these reporting forms have description boxes to elaborate on the events being reported. plus in those times when a network has a report email address there are some important things to mention. Download The Child Pornography Report Document Report Letter Text Subject: Child Pornography Report Dear representative of I am writing to notify you, as an online service within Canada, about a child pornography incident that I wish to bring to your attention. As per Canadian legislation that was passed in 2011, An Act Respecting the Mandatory Reporting of Internet Child Pornography by Persons who Provide an Internet Service, SC 2011, c 4. I have identified you as either providing internet access, hosting internet content or electronic mail. Under section 3 of the Act Duty to notify police officer 3 If a person who provides Internet service to the public has reasonable grounds to believe that their Internet service is being or has been used to commit a child pornography offence, the person must notify an officer, constable or other person employed for the preservation and maintenance of the public peace of that fact, as soon as feasible and in accordance with the regulations. With this message, I am notifying you that on , an incident of child pornography occurred on your network. I urge you to take immediate action and report this incident as required by law. I too will also be notifying the police of this incident in my jurisdiction. Failure to fulfil a duty to notify police officer. Under section 10 of the Act Offence 10  Every person who knowingly contravenes any of sections 2 to 5 is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction, (a)  in the case of an individual, (i)  for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000, (ii)  for a second offence, to a fine of not more than $5,000, and (iii)  for each subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both; and (b)  in all other cases, (i)  for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $10,000, (ii)  for a second offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000, and (iii)  for each subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000. I would also suggest you review section 4, preservation of computer data & destruction of preserved computer data. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving confirmation of the receipt of this message. Sincerely, We have a pre-written letter with all the essential elements that internet service providers should be aware of, or risk a fine for non-compliance. This can be sent as an attachment, text copied into an email, or online report filed. Everything important is covered - all that needs to be modified are your details (highlighted in red) What you need to enter This is the online service you are contacting specify when the incident occurred. often with data management helping the service provider to quickly locate the subject being reported Any identifying information you can share is critical about who is using the online service to commit CSAM. Your name and any contact details for the company to get back to you. Disclaimer: This resource is designed as information about the laws in Canada, and how we have used them in our line of work. In no way legal advice and for specific questions do connect with a legal representative

responded: 27% (79)  said “Yes” 73% (217)  said “No” Yes, this is anecdotal—but it provides a real-time snapshot Prompts that push users to enable GPS tracking , often for location-based advertising (e.g., Snapchat in this web book Sugaring and “Transactional Relationships” Online platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat

For example, McDonald’s has previously used Snapchat geo-filters to target teens near high schools with

because of political pressure, particularly when it comes to social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat

Note - While this is also occurring on other platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, we wanted to highlight

asked about their go-to social media platforms, students consistently named Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat

Chapter 6: Online Parenting Strategies Caveat This chapter is not about telling you how to parent your child—because you are the parent, not us. Instead, it is about bringing to your attention what we have seen to be “best practices” when it comes to parenting in the onlife world. Parenting adolescents has always been a complex task, requiring a balance between a teen's need for independence and appropriate scaffolding as they move toward adulthood. As the authors of a 2022 study on What Is Digital Parenting  stated ( source ): “Parental concerns about adolescents’ use of technology have been likened to generational concerns that have plagued parents across time, from telephones to television to video games. When it comes to mobile digital technologies, these concerns are only amplified, given their personal use and immersive nature.” For years, we have shared that teens—unlike many parents—do not see a division between their online and offline worlds. For them, it is just one world. This is why we’ve adopted the term “onlife,”  a term coined by Professor Luciano Floridi, because we believe it better describes the reality we and our children live in today. Three Parenting Strategies in the Onlife World Through our work, we’ve identified three primary parenting strategies related to technology and the internet: Closed-range strategies ( Helicopter and Snowplow Parenting ) Open-range strategies ( Detached Parenting ) Mediated-range strategies ( Light House Parenting ) Closed-Range Parenting  Closed-range parenting is usually driven by fear, distrust, or what we call juvenoia—a fear of youth, particularly when it comes to their use of technology. Parents using this strategy are often focused on the perceived emotional, psychological, physical, and social harms associated with technology, to the point that they may prohibit its use altogether. If a child is allowed access to the internet or digital devices, these parents often resort to overbearing supervision—what we call "helicopter" or "bubble wrap" parenting. This approach, however, does little to foster: Agency Age-appropriate critical thinking Digital literacy All of which are essential skills in today’s onlife world. Open-Range Parenting Open-range parenting, sometimes known as “free-range parenting,” often stems from a lack of understanding—or in some cases, willful ignorance—about the consequences (both positive and negative) of unsupervised technology use. Some parents under this model believe kids should be allowed to explore freely online without boundaries or oversight. In this approach: Devices are used as digital pacifiers Parents may abdicate responsibility to social media vendors, schools, or monitoring software There’s a belief that “bad stuff won’t happen to my kid” The result? A hands-off approach that may leave youth more vulnerable online. Mediated-Range Parenting Mediated-range parenting strikes a balance between the previous two. It is: Age-based and incrementally trust-building Evidence-based rather than emotionally reactive Focused on communication and participation This strategy uses a five-pillar approach : Youth agency  in their online activities Parental modeling  of appropriate tech use Parental participation  in their child’s onlife experiences Open communication  about digital activity Overt parental overwatch  through spot checks or monitoring tools—used reasonably and transparently As children demonstrate maturity, responsibility, and digital literacy, the need for active overwatch should decrease and eventually be phased out. https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/parenting-and-technology-lead-as-a-lighthouse-parent-instead-of-a-detached-helicopter-or-snowplow-parent/   A Research-Based Perspective In her 2022 study, Dr. Sonia Livingstone noted: “While digital literacy does not protect young people from encountering risks online, it helps protect them from harmful outcomes by supporting the development of effective coping strategies.”( Source ) She also emphasized: “Given that young people will inevitably use digital technologies and be exposed to negative online experiences, it is vital to find ways to protect them that don’t unduly limit their access or undermine the positive outcomes of internet use.”( Source ) Why Mediated-Range Parenting Works We’ve found that mediated-range parenting has several advantages: It fosters incremental trust  that aligns with developmental stages It increases parental engagement and communication , both of which reduce the likelihood of poor digital decision-making It cultivates critical thinking —a skill vital to online navigation It builds a shared family responsibility  around digital literacy It mentors youth to make healthy, independent choices when parents aren’t around It promotes a “Goldilocks” approach  to screen time—not too much, not too little, just right The only downside? It takes time and effort. But our question is: Aren’t our kids worth it? As we always say: Be your child’s best parent, not their best friend.  The two can coexist, but they are not the same. As our colleague Clayton Cranford, also known as the “Cyber Safety Cop,” has stated: “When I ask parents, where is the safest place for your child to be? Without fail, they always say, home. The reason they believe their home is the safest place for their child is because it was true for them—before there was an internet. Today, when the door to the home is closed, the outside world is no longer locked out.” If proper online safety and security measures are not instituted in the home, then you’ve essentially left the digital door wide open—for your child to step out from, or for others to step into, often without your knowledge. That’s why we recommend our Seven Steps to Internet Safety , which we’ll explore next. The Seven Steps to Internet Safety There are seven core steps we teach parents to support onlife safety and digital literacy: Youth Agency Parental Education Parental Role Modelling of Technology Parental Communication Parental Participation Family Understanding Software/Hardware Overwatch (where reasonable and appropriate) Parental Supervision It’s important to remember that the internet is not a babysitter. Unlike the television we grew up with—which was mostly one-way—the internet is a two-way, interactive space. In fact, even smart TVs today allow for two-way communication. Helping our kids strike a balance is key. Our goal is to raise producers , not just consumers , of technology. This is where a Goldilocks approach —not too strict, not too lenient, but just right—can help. Parental Role Modelling What you do with your own technology directly impacts what your child will do with theirs. Parents who overuse devices may see their teens mirror that behaviour. A 2023 study  found that when parents engage in “phubbing”—that is, ignoring their children in favor of their phones—it correlates with increased problematic device use by youth. ( Study link ) As we’ve said for years: We are our kids’ best role models when it comes to tech. Parental Communication & Participation Make sure your children understand that your family values apply equally in the onlife world —they don’t suddenly disappear when they go online. Help your child with homework by researching online together. Play online games together (some are listed in chapter on online gaming). Join the social platforms your child uses—get involved, don’t just supervise from a distance. Text instead of calling—learn their communication style. Ask them to teach you something online; chances are they know more than you in some areas. For example, Brandon was Darren’s digital Yoda, and Darren was Brandon’s digital Padawan.  To this day, Brandon is still the digital master, and Darren the student. Try Hosting a “Digital Dinner” Once a Week No, this doesn’t mean bringing phones to the dinner table. In fact, cellphones should never  be at the table during meals. Dinner is sacred family time—don’t let tech get in the way. A digital dinner  is when the family talks about everything digital—social media, gaming, new apps, and experiences. You’ll be amazed at what you learn. A 2014 study  published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics  found: “More frequent family dinners were related to fewer emotional and behavioural problems, greater emotional well-being, more trusting and helpful behaviours, and higher life satisfaction.”  ( Study link ) https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/embarking-on-the-onlife-journey-together-7-key-parenting-ingredients-to-strength-enhance-online-safety/   Supporting Research A 2022 study  by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of California supports our “Five Steps to Internet Safety” model. ( Study link ) Key findings: Most teens have healthy relationships with technology. Youth who are at high risk offline are usually at higher risk online. Parents who overuse their own devices often see their teens mimic that behavior. Setting early boundaries is crucial once kids begin interacting with digital tech. Parental modeling, participation, communication, and reasonable overwatch  are key protective factors. Need Help Getting the Conversation Started? Check out the Family Dinner Project  for excellent conversation starters and tips: https://bit.ly/37bAJMo Also, explore app review sites like Common Sense Media : https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews Mom/Dad, Can I Download This App or Social Network? Once youth have access to technology—especially mobile tech—they’ll want to download apps, join social networks, or play online games. Rather than granting free rein, we recommend having them do a “due diligence report”  first. This idea, coined by our colleague Jocelyn Brewer  at digitalnutrition.com , is about making kids do the homework before they’re allowed to download anything. That report can take the form of: A short essay A PowerPoint presentation A verbal pitch They must answer these 10 questions: What’s the app’s age requirement? Do you meet it? What are the terms of service? How is your data stored and shared? What’s the app or game’s content or main function? How will it benefit you? Why do you need it? Who created it, and when? How is it monetized? How much do the founders make per year? Are there any controversies surrounding it? What privacy controls are available? Is anonymity an option? If you were a parent, would you let you  use it? Anything else we should know? In the book Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World , Joseph South , Chief Learning Officer at ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), promotes something similar. His version includes these nine questions: How can this app help me—and how can it harm me? How does it connect me to other people? Can strangers contact me? What types of interactions does it allow? How does the app make money? How does it keep me engaged? How does it protect (or not protect) my privacy? Does this app make sense for me, based on my age and maturity? What do trusted experts (in medicine, psychology, safety) say about it? We recommend a hybrid approach  that blends both Jocelyn and Joseph’s models. This “homework” not only informs the parent—it sparks meaningful family discussions  and helps teens build critical decision-making skills  in the digital world. Canadian Centre for Child Protection: Age Ratings App Report A 2022 report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection , titled Reviewing the Enforcement of App Age Ratings in Apple’s App Store and Google Play , found concerning trends ( report link ): Key findings: Inconsistent enforcement  of app age ratings Example : A 13-year-old could download a 17+ app in the Apple Store by simply clicking "Yes"—even though Apple knows the user's actual age. Search results often display inappropriate suggestions Example : Searching for "Yubo" as an 11-year-old in Google Play brought up 3Fun: Threesomes Couples Dating  and Chatous: 18+ Live Video Chat . Rating inconsistencies  across platforms Example : YouTube is rated 17+ in Apple’s App Store, “Teen” (13+) on Google Play, and 13+ in YouTube’s Terms of Service. Inappropriate apps  (like Chatroulette-style apps) still appear in search results for underage users. Lack of transparency  in how Apple and Google assign age ratings or content descriptions. Bottom line: App stores cannot be trusted  as your only line of defense. This makes family tech conversations, app reviews, and guided decision-making more important than ever. Family Technology Boundaries Establish clear expectations for when and how tech can be used at home. To help, we’ve created the White Hatter Family Collective Agreement : 👉  Download the agreement This contract: Clarifies child and parent responsibilities Identifies consequences if rules are broken Helps reinforce digital safety habits Should be printed, signed by both parties, and posted in a visible location like the fridge Hardware and Software Solutions Where appropriate, monitoring and filtering tools  can supplement—but never replace—parental participation and communication. We discuss this later in this web book, but here’s a preview: Use tools transparently , not secretly Use monitoring as a conversation starter , not just a watchdog Prioritize trust  and developmental readiness  over fear Be a Good Digital Role Model Your behaviour sets the tone. Consider these scenarios: If you text and drive , your child will too. If you bring your phone to the dinner table , they will too. If you take your phone to bed , they’ll want to do the same—unless it’s an emergency line. If you text them during class , guess what they’ll do? Teachers have specifically asked us to remind parents: Please do not text your child during school hours.  It disrupts the learning environment. Use lunch breaks or emergencies only. Teen feedback  (based on a survey of 179 teens): 69%  reported that their parents were more engaged with their phones than with them during conversations A 2015 AVG study  of 6,000 youth aged 8–13 found: 54% said their parents spent too much time on their phones 36% said their parents were distracted mid-conversation , making them feel unimportant ✳️  Digitally distracted parents often raise digitally distracted kids.  What you do matters. Sharenting vs. Over-Sharenting Facebook’s 2004 launch sparked what we now call the “tagged generation.”  Once a name is tagged to a photo, it becomes searchable—and potentially vulnerable. We define sharenting  as: "The parental overuse of technology and social media to knowingly—or unknowingly—share content from or about a child." Not all sharenting is bad. As Stacey Steinberg  wrote in Growing Up Shared : “Sharenting is often a positive way to connect and support one another during parenthood to improve our lives, our child’s life, and the lives of others.” The problem is over-sharenting . Today’s cute post could become tomorrow’s embarrassment, privacy violation, or even fuel for exploitation. For example: 🧠  Real case study : A child’s image was altered and uploaded to a pedophile site. 🔎 A UK study found: 92%  of two-year-olds have an online presence By age five, the average child has 1,500 images  posted of them Our own social media poll: 66% of teens said “no” —they don’t want their parents sharing personal content about them 87% of parents said “no” —they don’t want their kids posting content about them either Parenting Tip:Would you want your baby photos shown to everyone at your workplace? Think twice before posting. We’ve seen over-sharenting lead to: Cyberbullying Sexually morphed photos on pedophile forums Identity theft This is new territory— our parents didn’t face this.  We’re the first generation raising kids in this hyper-documented world. “Kidfluencers” – Another Form of Youth Exploitation When we think about child exploitation online, the first concern is usually sexual exploitation —an important topic we address in depth in another chapter of this web-book. However, another growing form of exploitation is using youth as influencer marketers , or what is now called “Kidfluencers.” Often, it’s well-meaning parents  who unknowingly enable this form of exploitation. 📚  Read: A deep-dive article on the risks of Kidfluencers 🎥  Watch: A powerful 60 Minutes Australia episode on child influencers As the article notes: “The large sums of money associated with Kidfluencers can provide strong incentives for parents to involve their child—sometimes without understanding the true consequences.” This isn’t limited to fashion or toys. From gymnastics to dance, kids as young as five are being turned into walking advertisements . While fame and brand deals may be appealing, darker consequences exist. Consider: Adult men becoming “top fans”  on young girls’ pages Algorithms promoting visibility , increasing risk Mental health concerns , like anxiety and low self-esteem Loss of childhood privacy and autonomy 🎥  Watch: ABC Australia’s eye-opening video on Kidfluencers Sharenting Considerations We Recommend Here are some practical tips to keep sharenting in check: Understand that most platforms have rights to your content  under their Terms of Service. Don’t use social media to validate your parenting. Ask: “What will my child think about this post in 5, 10, or 15 years?” When your child is old enough, ask for their consent  before posting their photo or personal info. Add a watermark to photos: “Posted with the permission of my child.” Review and delete older posts annually. Model consent culture: Teach kids to ask before posting about others. Avoid revealing where your child lives or goes to school. Avoid photos showing your child in any state of undress. Talk to grandparents —they often overshare, too! As child psychologist Dr. Alexandra Hamlet  reminds us: “There is a difference between being proud of your kids and displaying that on your refrigerator, compared to sharing it on social media without consent.” 📢  Update – May 2024 : A movement led by the first generation of “social media babies” is calling for legal protections from parental oversharing. https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/sharenting-vs-over-sharenting-balancing-child-privacy-with-a-parents-desire-to-share/   Be Careful Using Technology as a Digital Pacifier, Babysitter, or Distraction Tool We get it—life is hectic. Sometimes handing a screen to a child in public or during a meltdown provides quick relief. But using tech this way routinely , especially with kids under six, can have long-term developmental consequences . ⚠️  Research-backed concerns : Children need face-to-face time to build emotional regulation Overuse of tech in early childhood leads to displacement —missing social learning opportunities Frequent device use for calming may inhibit a child’s ability to self-soothe  in the future 📚  Radesky et al.  found: “Frequent use of mobile devices to calm young children may prevent them from developing key emotional regulation skills.”🔗  Read the study A related study also found: More screen time = poorer language development Parental interaction, turn-taking, and book reading = stronger linguistic growth 🔗  Study link When Screens Are OK There are exceptions  to the "no tech under 6" rule: Video chatting with family : Promotes bonding and emotional development 🔗  Study link Joint media engagement : Reading an e-book or playing an educational game together 🔗  Supporting study For neurodivergent children , screens can be a helpful focusing tool 🔗  Research example So, What Should Parents Do? We recommend avoiding digital pacifiers for children under six— unless : It’s a rare, situational tool (e.g., calming before a medical procedure) It’s used jointly with a parent in a meaningful way It’s used intentionally—not habitually Above all: technology should be a tool , not a crutch. At-Home Online Learning Caveat : We recognize not all families can implement every tip due to socioeconomic factors. Even a few changes can make a big difference. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we were all thrown into remote learning—unprepared, yet adaptable. Below is our White Hatter Online Learning Checklist  to help make home learning more successful: Home Network & Device Security Use a school-provided device  when possible Invest in a family-safe router (e.g., Gryphon) to prevent DDOS attacks Change passwords each new school year 🔐  Test password strength Use malware protection like BitDefender 🔗  BitDefender site Lock down Apple devices 🔗  Apple privacy tips Enhancing the Learning Environment Reboot computers before each session Learn the conferencing software (Zoom, Teams, etc.) Teach your child how to turn off the mic and camera Avoid learning in bedrooms if possible— keep the door open  if it’s the only option Choose a backdrop with no personal items  visible Use a hardwired internet connection  when possible Build a visual schedule  with text and images Use a large screen to reduce eye strain Teach the 20/20/20 rule : Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds Expectations & Participation No pajamas (unless it’s pajama day!) Don’t hover—treat it like a regular classroom Keep snacks and water nearby Limit mobile phone use during class time Post and enforce a Family Collective Agreement   https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/the-power-of-a-social-media-and-technology-family-collective-agreement/   🎥  Need help?  Watch our full webinar on home network security for online learning:🔗  Watch here Final Thoughts In our view, the most effective digital parenting strategy is a balanced, age-appropriate, and mediated approach , grounded in: Incremental learning Parental modeling Ongoing conversations Trust built over time Think of it as driver’s ed  for the digital highway. Too often, we see parents throw kids into the deep end of the tech pool with no instruction, then blame tech companies when things go wrong. But we gave them the keys . Let’s teach them how to drive. When talking to your child about their online world: Be age-appropriate Use real-life, relevant examples Acknowledge their intelligence Ask them to teach you something Build on what they already know As we always say: Be your child’s best parent, not their best friend—there is a difference. But with education, those two roles can eventually coexist, and that’s exactly what this web-book aims to help you do.