Screen-Safe Podcast

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.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

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 instead

Most 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.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

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.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

This episode is a little different. Instead of a typical conversation or topic deep dive, I’m sharing the full replay of a recent Online Safety Leadership Briefing I delivered for schools. It was created for headteachers, DSLs, safeguarding leads and governors, and the aim was simple: to give a clear, current picture of what children are really experiencing online in 2025.

You will hear the full session exactly as it was delivered, including the live Q&A at the end. The content is practical, honest and designed to help schools understand the fast moving risks around AI chatbots, deepfakes, gaming platforms, nudify apps, social media trends and online exploitation. It also highlights how these behaviours are showing up in classrooms and pastoral teams every day, along with ideas for improving parent engagement and whole school safeguarding.

Please be aware that this episode includes discussion of sensitive topics including self harm, online grooming, sextortion and harmful content. Nothing graphic is described, but listener discretion is advised.

If you prefer to watch the full video recording, it is available here: https://youtu.be/nVVZ-3afg70

If you work in education or safeguarding, this will give you a strong overview of the issues shaping online safety right now and practical steps you can start to build into your approach.

Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

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.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

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 anxiety
• Stay calm and connected when things go wrong online
• Replace panic with curiosity and conversation
• Set healthy tech habits and model them at home

It’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.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

Roblox has become one of the biggest digital playgrounds in children’s lives - but what exactly is it, and how safe is it? In this episode, Anna breaks down what Roblox really is (hint: it’s not just one game), explores why it’s so popular with kids and teens, and looks at both the creative opportunities and online risks parents should be aware of.

You’ll learn what terms like “obby games,” “avatars,” and “private servers” mean, how Robux works, and how to help your child stay safe, balanced, and in control while playing.

A must-listen for any parent wanting to understand the world their child loves - and how to keep it positive, healthy, and screen-safe.

Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

Chatbots, Companion AI & Kids: What You Need to Know Now

This week I’m diving into a fast-moving issue that’s flown under the radar for many parents: the rise of AI companions, chatbots, and “My AI” tools inside apps like Snapchat, Character AI, and more.

What starts as fun and friendly can quickly spiral into emotionally manipulative, inappropriate, or even dangerous conversations - especially when kids treat these bots like real friends.

I’ll walk you through:

🧠 Why these bots are so appealing to children and teens

🚨 What the real risks are (even if your child says “it’s just a bit of fun”)

📱 How to check out these apps safely and understand what your child might encounter

💬 What kinds of conversations to have at home to build awareness and resilience

This is a must-listen for parents, carers, and educators. Please share this episode widely - the more we know, the more we can protect.

Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.uk

Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

In this episode, Anna explores the emotional and digital leap that happens when children move from primary to secondary school.

It’s a huge milestone - not just socially and academically, but digitally too.

Suddenly there are phones, group chats, friendship shifts, and pressure to grow up fast. Your child might still enjoy a bedtime cuddle, but feel pushed to act like a teenager in school corridors.

🎒 Anna shares:

• Why the transition can be harder than expected
• The digital pressures many Year 7s are quietly navigating
• Why “not having Snapchat” can feel like social isolation
• Tips for handling online group chats, social media, and the changing dynamic at home
• How to support your child emotionally and digitally without judgement or fear

Whether your child is starting Year 7 or you're preparing for next year, this episode will help you feel more informed, less overwhelmed, and ready to support your child through this massive shift.

🎧 Listen in and feel less alone - because you’re not the only one navigating this.

🧠 Learn more at www.screen-safe.co.uk

📥 Subscribe to Anna’s newsletter and get tools, support, and updates

Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]

In this episode I am joined by PC Paul Evans, of North Yorkshire. He shares his experience of seeing the rise of crime online and ways in which predators target children and teens online. This is happening everywhere, including the 'nice school' and communities out in rural areas. If you have a child who has access to WIFI then this is a must listen.

Learn more or get support: www.screen-safe.co.uk

Send me an instant voicemail : https://www.speakpipe.com/screensafe

Send me an email : [email protected]