Drcatherineknibbs

12/06/2026

There’s a common idea that the safest approach to technology is to remove it completely from children’s lives; no screens, no phones, no exposure. On the surface, it sounds simple.

But in reality, removing access doesn’t remove risk. It only removes opportunities for children to learn how to navigate the digital world safely. And like any skill, they need experience, guidance, and space to develop it over time.

So the real question isn’t whether we can eliminate technology from childhood. It’s whether we’re preparing children for the world they are already growing up in, or avoiding the harder conversations about how they use it when we’re not there.

Safety isn’t about restriction alone, it’s about readiness. Follow for more insights on online safety, digital wellbeing, and modern parenting.

10/06/2026

The conversation around digital safety often overlooks a simple reality: not every family starts from the same place.

Many parents are balancing work, caring responsibilities, financial pressures, and the everyday demands of family life. For them, technology isn't a convenience — it's how children learn, stay connected, and participate in the world around them.

That's why one-size-fits-all advice rarely works. Effective online safety isn't about judgement or unrealistic expectations. It's about creating practical support that reflects real lives, real challenges, and real families. When we make digital safety accessible, we make it more effective for everyone.

Follow for more insights on digital wellbeing, online safety, and creating inclusive approaches to protecting children online.

08/06/2026

Many parents assume that a simpler phone automatically means a safer experience. Unfortunately, it's not always that straightforward.

Even with clear boundaries and careful supervision, children can still come across harmful content. Internet access, shared links, and recommendations from peers mean that exposure isn't limited to smartphones or social media apps.

The device matters less than the conversations around it. Real online safety comes from guidance, awareness, and helping young people navigate digital spaces with confidence and support.

It's time to rethink what we mean by "safe technology".

Follow for more insights on online safety, digital wellbeing, and raising resilient young people.

05/06/2026

When the UK government bans social media for under-16s and smartphones in schools, what will happen?

According to what you might read online, children's brains are being 'rotted' and 'overwhelmed' by the amount of dopamine they're getting from technology.

So surely we'll see millions of cases of dopamine withdrawl shortly after the ban! Which is why i'm opening up my new dopamine withdrawal clinic...

But that's not really how dopamine works.

Or why children actually use social media.

Follow for more practical advice around children and technology.

05/06/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about online safety is that knowledge alone prevents risky behaviour. Many young people understand the dangers they may face online. They've attended workshops, received guidance, and heard the warnings. Yet some still find themselves drawn into situations they know could be harmful. Why? Because the need to feel seen, valued, and understood can be far more powerful than a list of safety rules.

When children and teenagers seek connection online, they're often responding to emotional needs, not a lack of awareness. And unfortunately, those looking to exploit young people understand this all too well. If we want to better protect children, we need to move beyond simply teaching risks and start focusing on relationships, trust, and meaningful conversations.

Rethinking online safety starts with understanding what children are really looking for.

Follow for deeper insights on online safety, digital wellbeing, and child protection.

04/06/2026

When conversations about online safety focus only on devices, we risk overlooking the human side of the story.

I've seen how a single distressing online experience can affect a child long after the moment has passed. The lasting impact often isn't determined by the content alone, but by whether that child had trusted adults around them to help them understand, process, and talk about what they experienced.

Removing technology may feel like the obvious answer, but support, emotional literacy, and trauma-informed environments are what truly help children navigate difficult experiences. Safer online spaces begin with safer conversations.

Follow for more insights on digital wellbeing, online safety, and supporting children in a connected world.

02/06/2026

There are moments when a conversation moves beyond headlines and becomes something society can no longer afford to ignore.

During my recent appearance on Sky News, we discussed the growing misuse of children's images in AI-generated deepfake content. As these technologies become more sophisticated and accessible, the risks facing children are evolving faster than many people realise. What begins as an image shared online can potentially be manipulated and used in ways that cause lasting harm.

This is not about fearing technology. It's about recognising that the digital world has changed and ensuring our approach to safeguarding changes with it. Children deserve stronger protections, greater awareness, and systems that put their safety first.

The more we talk about these issues, the better equipped we are to respond as parents, educators, professionals, and as a society.

Looking for deeper learning? Explore books, courses, and training opportunities via the link in bio.

29/05/2026

I was on to discuss the use of children's images in AI deepfake content.

I'm so glad this conversation is starting to get wider awareness so we can all come together as a society about how we are going to transition into this new reality.

The genie isn't going back into the bottle. AI is here to stay so we need to adapt just as we have before when new technology arrived.

Much more to come from me so follow to keep up to date.

28/05/2026

I know this is scary to think about but we need to be aware and have the conversations now, instead of being taken by surprise.

I've been warning people about posting pictures of children online for years because I was at the front line of dealing with cases involving AI deepfakes, blackmail and harrassment in the therapy office and my consulting work.

After my recent video went viral the conversation has gone mainstream and awareness is spreading 🙌

So what should we be looking out for on the horizon? I believe that AI chatbots and companions might be used or start to replicate online predators behaviour in the same way 'real' human perpetrators have been for decades.

The most important thing you can do right now is share this video to start a conversation.

27/05/2026