Your child wants their first phone. They want to stay connected with friends, have more independence and, of course, “everyone else has one”.
But there’s a conversation we need to have before we hand it over.
Because a first phone doesn’t just introduce a child to technology. It introduces them to a new set of rules around privacy, access, boundaries, consent, friendship, and eventually relationships.
In this solo episode, Yas London draws on her years working in online safety, and her own experience as a parent, to explore how we can give children greater digital independence without teaching them that constant access is the price of belonging, or worse, love.
You’ll learn:
→ Why the first phone should be a series of permissions, not one big decision
→ The difference between digital care and control
→ Why location tracking doesn’t automatically mean greater safety
→ How to build capability rather than relying solely on parental controls
→ The five conversations to have before the first phone arrives
The goal isn’t to remove every digital risk. It’s to raise children with the judgement and confidence to navigate those risks when we’re no longer standing beside them.
Because ultimately, the best safety tool we can give our kids is their own capability.
RESOURCES
Online safety advice for parents and young people:
eSafety Commissioner
Practical guidance for parents on devices, parental controls, privacy, location sharing, online relationships, consent, and navigating online risks.
Research referenced in the episode:
eSafety Commissioner Research
Australian research into young people’s experiences and attitudes online, including digital behaviours within relationships.
Parent resources and advice:
eSafety Parents
Advice on helping children safely navigate devices, social media, games, online relationships, and difficult online experiences.
Enlighten Education:
Enlighten Education
Founded by Dannielle Miller, whose upcoming First Movers conversation explores consent, confidence, online culture, healthy relationships, and raising girls and boys in the digital world.
CONNECT WITH YAS LONDONWebsite: www.yasminlondon.com
Instagram: @_yaslondon_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmin-london/
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