Balancing screen time and quality family time can be a daily challenge for many families. With children using their devices for various purposes such as learning, staying connected with friends and family, gaming, and streaming, determining a reasonable amount of screen time can be increasingly difficult.
In an effort to promote online safety discussions within families, The Family Chat campaign, in collaboration with Tesco Mobile, is ongoing throughout 2026. Author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher is engaging with parents and children to address challenges they encounter, how they are managing them, and how Tesco Mobile’s online safety tools can be beneficial.
Included in these resources is a downloadable family pledge where families can agree on simple commitments regarding healthy screen time practices and ensuring children’s safety online. Giovanna emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing screen time rules within her own family, ensuring that phone usage does not become the primary activity, particularly for younger children.
For the Karley family, consisting of Anna, Emmanuel, and their three teenagers, phones are essential for communication, schoolwork, and managing their daily schedules. To approach the topic of screen time in a positive manner, the Karleys participated in the Team Mum v Team Dad Online Safety Challenge, engaging in activities to understand the impact of screen activities compared to offline ones.
Following the challenges, the family completed Tesco Mobile’s family pledge, committing to guidelines surrounding screen time, privacy, and sharing. Anna and Emmanuel plan to utilize Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub for expert advice and resources to help their family strike a balance between digital engagement and real-world connections. Implementing a phones-down rule at 9.30pm, they aim to create more opportunities for quality family time, such as enjoying quizzes together.
As families navigate the digital landscape, it is crucial to be mindful of potential online content risks, including sensational headlines, suspicious websites, and misinformation. Educating children on verifying social media accounts and engaging in fact-checking activities can help promote online safety awareness within the family unit.