To mark European cybersecurity month 2024, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre has launched the digital edition of "Mum, can I use your phone?", a practical and evidence-based guide to positive digital parenting. Designed to support parents and carers of children aged 3 to 6, the book addresses the challenges families face when navigating the digital world.
This resource provides clear guidance on how to manage screen time in a healthy way and introduces creative and engaging alternatives to ensure children’s balanced development. In line with recent studies and best practise, such as the CHILD project (2023), the book emphasises the importance of setting appropriate boundaries and protecting young children from inappropriate content. It also emphasises the role of parents as positive role models in their own use of technology.
Accompanied by explanatory videos, the book gives families the opportunity to create a safe and nurturing digital environment and promote conscious and positive digital parenting. The aim is to create a safe and harmonious foundation for the healthy growth and development of children.
The book is the result of the translation and adaptation of a resource originally developed by the Austrian Safer Internet Centre, ensuring its relevance and accessibility to the local audience.
As part of a wider campaign, we worked with local health authorities in the Lisbon area to distribute the physical book to 6,000 families through health centres over the Christmas festive period. These centres will also share the digital version with families to increase reach and ensure a greater number of households benefit from this initiative. In addition, efforts are underway to expand this campaign to the national level.
With initiatives like this, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, coordinated by the National Cybersecurity Centre, continues to promote positive digital parenting as a cornerstone for the digital wellbeing of families. These efforts are in line with the broader mission to help parents and educators navigate children’s engagement with the digital world and promote conscious and mindful use of technology.
The book "Mum, can I use your phone?" is available for free in digital format and can be accessed here.
Find more information about the work of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
To mark European cybersecurity month 2024, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre has launched the digital edition of "Mum, can I use your phone?", a practical and evidence-based guide to positive digital parenting. Designed to support parents and carers of children aged 3 to 6, the book addresses the challenges families face when navigating the digital world.
This resource provides clear guidance on how to manage screen time in a healthy way and introduces creative and engaging alternatives to ensure children’s balanced development. In line with recent studies and best practise, such as the CHILD project (2023), the book emphasises the importance of setting appropriate boundaries and protecting young children from inappropriate content. It also emphasises the role of parents as positive role models in their own use of technology.
Accompanied by explanatory videos, the book gives families the opportunity to create a safe and nurturing digital environment and promote conscious and positive digital parenting. The aim is to create a safe and harmonious foundation for the healthy growth and development of children.
The book is the result of the translation and adaptation of a resource originally developed by the Austrian Safer Internet Centre, ensuring its relevance and accessibility to the local audience.
As part of a wider campaign, we worked with local health authorities in the Lisbon area to distribute the physical book to 6,000 families through health centres over the Christmas festive period. These centres will also share the digital version with families to increase reach and ensure a greater number of households benefit from this initiative. In addition, efforts are underway to expand this campaign to the national level.
With initiatives like this, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, coordinated by the National Cybersecurity Centre, continues to promote positive digital parenting as a cornerstone for the digital wellbeing of families. These efforts are in line with the broader mission to help parents and educators navigate children’s engagement with the digital world and promote conscious and mindful use of technology.
The book "Mum, can I use your phone?" is available for free in digital format and can be accessed here.
Find more information about the work of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
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