Did screen time creep up over the summer? Did bedtimes get later? Have new apps, games or online habits appeared?You’re definitely not alone, and this episode isn’t about guilt or trying to become the perfect parent.September is a natural opportunity to pause, take a look at your child’s digital world and ask a simple question: what’s working, and what might need a bit of a reset?In this episode, I share five practical areas every family can review, including sleep and devices in bedrooms, screens around mornings and homework, looking beyond the number of hours spent online, checking what has changed in your child’s digital world, and revisiting those all-important privacy settings and safety basics.We also talk about why the rules that worked six months or a year ago might not work anymore, how to involve your child in these conversations rather than simply imposing new restrictions, and why you don’t need to completely overhaul family life overnight.Choose one or two things that could make a difference and start there.Because ultimately, parental controls can only take us so far. Staying interested in our children’s online lives and making sure they know they can come to us when something goes wrong remains one of the most powerful ways we can help keep them safe.Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.ukSend me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafeSend me an email : anna@screen-safe.co.uk
Exam season can already feel overwhelming for young people and their families, but there’s another pressure building in the background: the flood of revision advice, “grade 9 hacks”, predicted papers and AI-generated study content taking over teenagers’ social media feeds.In this episode, Anna explores the growing world of GCSE and A-level revision influencers, and why so much of the content being pushed to students online can be misleading, unrealistic or simply wrong.From unverified exam predictions and impossible revision schedules to dangerous advice around sleep, diet and productivity, this episode looks at the emotional impact this content can have on young people already under pressure.Anna also explores:• the rise of educational influencers on TikTok and Instagram• how algorithms are shaping what students see online• why AI-generated revision content can be risky if used incorrectly• how social media can fuel anxiety and feelings of “not doing enough”• what parents should look out for during exam season• where to find reliable, trustworthy revision support insteadMost importantly, this episode is a reminder that wellbeing comes before grades, and that no exam result defines a child’s worth or future.A must-listen for parents, carers and anyone supporting children through SATs, GCSEs or A-levels this year.Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.ukSend me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafeSend me an email : anna@screen-safe.co.uk
This episode explores the growing risk of AI-generated deepfakes and non-consensual intimate images, and what this means for children and families.Anna explains how easily realistic images and videos can now be created using widely available apps, often without technical skill, age checks, or safeguards. While much public attention has focused on one platform, the reality is that hundreds of tools already exist that allow people to manipulate images, remove clothing, or generate explicit content of real people without consent.Crucially, this is not just about adults harming children. Increasingly, these tools are being used in child-on-child abuse, bullying, blackmail, and sextortion. Even creating or requesting these images, whether shared or not, can now constitute a criminal offence.The episode also highlights a second major risk: AI chatbots. Many children and teenagers are using chatbots as confidants, friends, or emotional support, often without adults realising. Unlike trusted adults, these tools cannot safeguard, escalate concerns, or protect young people. In some cases, they have actively provided harmful or inappropriate advice.The key message for parents and carers is clear: this is a fast-moving space, and nobody is expected to know everything. What matters most is keeping conversations open, calm, and ongoing so children feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and seek real human support.Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.ukSend me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafeSend me an email : anna@screen-safe.co.uk
What does online safety really look like in 2025?In this hard-hitting episode, Anna Sarjantson, founder of Screen-Safe, joins Michelle Edmondson on the Talent First podcast to talk openly about the very real risks our children face online — and what we, as adults, must do about it.They explore the uncomfortable rise of AI-generated boyfriends like Bad Rudy, the rise in sextortion and anonymous group chats, and the role platforms like TikTok and OnlyFans are playing in shaping a child’s digital worldview. But this isn’t a fear-mongering conversation — it’s about awareness, empowerment and action.Whether you’re a parent, teacher, HR leader or carer, this is a powerful, practical listen that will shift your perspective and strengthen your digital toolkit.🎧 Hit play, take notes — and please, share it with someone who needs to hear it.Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.ukSend me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafeSend me an email : anna@screen-safe.co.uk
In this short but powerful episode, Anna explores a feeling many parents and carers know too well: digital parenting anxiety. With the rise of social media, gaming, and constant online exposure, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or guilty about getting it “right.” Anna shares a calm, grounded perspective on how to move from fear to confidence, helping you build a stronger connection with your child while keeping the online world in balance.Learn how to:Recognise the signs of digital parenting anxietyStay calm and connected when things go wrong onlineReplace panic with curiosity and conversationSet healthy tech habits and model them at homeIt’s not about controlling everything - it’s about creating an open door where your child feels safe to talk, no matter what happens online.Join Anna’s Protect and Connect membership for regular tools, resources, and up-to-date guidance on raising digitally confident kids: screen-safe.co.uk.Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.ukSend me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafeSend me an email : anna@screen-safe.co.uk