Take time to have a chat with your children about staying safe online

With their 11-year-old son starting secondary school in September, Giovanna and Tom Fletcher decided it was time for him to have a phone.

But the couple knew that first they had to speak to each other – and to him.

“They can access so much – you’ve got to think about how you manage that, and keep them safe,” says Giovanna, 40.

“It’s something I’ve dreaded being a part of my life. There are so many statistics about children seeing inappropriate content, along with mental health worries, and that’s why parents need to have conversations with their children, so they feel more empowered.”

Thousands of children will have been given a smartphone for Christmas, with families now navigating the pitfalls and positives that come with that.

Throughout the next year, we’re running a campaign – The Family Chat – with Tesco Mobile, encouraging families to talk about online devices, no matter what stage their children are at.

We’ll showcase the support and resources available, including Tesco Mobile’s age-specific toolkits and support for parents and children.

“That’s why I love being part of this campaign – I’ll find gaps in my knowledge that will help us as a family,” says Giovanna. “As parents, we put so much pressure on ourselves to have all the answers, but Tesco Mobile’s resources and online hub make it so much easier.”

Giovanna and McFly frontman and children’s author Tom, 40, have two other sons, aged seven and nine, who have tablets that allow them to message Mum and Dad, Nan, Grandad and their cousins. They play games online and video call each other. “It’s a way of communicating, and with me and Tom being away for work, having the kids know they can call us whenever is really important,” explains Giovanna.

“When our eldest