In a world where screens dominate childhood, ensuring online safety has never been more critical. Enter Margot Denomme, former prosecutor, children’s mental health advocate, and author of the Family Smartphone Guide—a must-have resource designed to help families navigate the digital world safely.
Just like a driver’s ed handbook preps teens for the road, this guide arms parents and kids with essential tools to avoid online dangers, from AI scams to cyberbullying and digital overuse. As online risks grow, Margot is launching a movement to help parents take charge and start essential conversations about responsible tech use.
In this Q&A, Margot shares practical tips, expert insights, and must-know strategies to help families create safer digital habits—because when it comes to online safety, it’s never too early to start the conversation. —Noa Nichol
You’ve spent decades advocating for children’s safety. What are the biggest digital dangers kids face today, and how have they evolved with AI and social media?
There are so many dangers, but AI and social media have made the online world even riskier for kids. Deepfake scams can fake voices and videos, making it easy for predators to impersonate someone they trust. Algorithms keep kids hooked, making screen time feel impossible to manage. Grooming and exploitation have gone high-tech, with AI helping predators manipulate kids in new ways. Fake news spreads fast, making it harder to tell truth from lies. And privacy? AI-powered tracking and facial recognition expose kids’ personal info without them even knowing.
Cyberbullying, online predators, and deepfake scams are becoming more sophisticated. What are some red flags parents should watch out for when it comes to their child’s online activity?
There are clear signs that a child may be engaging in risky online behaviour. Secrecy is a big one. If they quickly switch screens or hide their devices, it may be worth asking why. Mood swings or anxiety after being online can signal cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, or social media pressure. Late-night screen time is another red flag, as risky online interactions often happen when parents are asleep. Unexplained in-app purchases could mean they are being pressured or manipulated online. New, unknown contacts on their social media or gaming accounts should always raise concern. If anyone is asking them for photos or personal information, that is a major red flag that requires immediate action. Keep the flow of communication open – kids need to know they can come to you.
Your Family Smartphone Guide compares digital safety to a driver’s education handbook. Can you explain why it’s crucial for kids to have structured guidance before using a smartphone?
The Family Smartphone Guide is structured like a Driver’s Handbook because navigating the digital world requires preparation, practice, and supervision. Just like traffic signs guide drivers, kids need digital rules to follow. Stop before posting. Be cautious when talking to strangers online. Parental supervision is like a driving instructor, kids need oversight before they can safely navigate digital spaces on their own. Mistakes have real consequences. Just like reckless driving leads to accidents, irresponsible online behaviour can result in cyberbullying, privacy violations, or even legal trouble.
The Family Smartphone Guide includes a family contract, helping parents and kids set clear boundaries, expectations, and guardrails around smartphone use. It ensures that everyone in the family is on the same page about rules, privileges, and consequences.
You encourage families to create a ‘Family Tech Agreement.’ What are some key rules parents should include to help their kids build healthy screen habits?
Healthy screen habits start with clear boundaries. No screens in bedrooms, at the dinner table, or during family time. A digital curfew is essential, habits like turning off devices at least an hour before bed improves sleep and mental health. Kids should also be encouraged to prioritize offline activities like outdoor play, reading, and face-to-face socializing. When using screens, they should practice mindful consumption by choosing content that is educational or creative instead of mindlessly scrolling.
One of your recommendations is to delay smartphone use until 14. Why is this age so critical, and how can parents set boundaries when their child is eager to be online?
Delaying smartphone use is one of the best ways to protect kids’ mental health and development. Early smartphone exposure increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and addiction. It also raises the chances of cyberbullying and online exploitation, as younger children are more vulnerable to manipulation. Developmentally, waiting longer supports better self-esteem, stronger social skills, and improved brain growth.
Parents do not have to do it alone. Unplugged Canada is a growing movement that helps parents sign a pledge with other families to delay smartphone use. It is gaining momentum, making it easier for parents to set boundaries together. One approach is to start with a flip phone, which allows kids to communicate without the distractions of apps and social media. Holding off on social media until at least 16 is another key step. The Family Smartphone Guide’s family contract helps establish clear expectations, ensuring kids understand the rules and consequences. Most importantly, parents must model responsible phone habits. If we want kids to have a healthy relationship with technology, we have to show them what that looks like.
Deepfake scams and AI-generated voices are becoming alarmingly realistic. How can families use a ‘safe word’ to protect against these emerging threats?
AI-generated scams are becoming more sophisticated, making it harder to tell real from fake. Deepfake technology can create convincing videos and voice recordings, tricking kids and seniors into believing they’re talking to someone they trust. To stay safe, establish a unique family safe word known only to trusted members. If someone asks for money, passwords, or a meetup, always verify by asking for the safe word. Kids should never trust video or voice alone because AI can manipulate both. The Family Smartphone Guide reinforces these safeguards, ensuring kids know how to respond to online threats.
Teaching kids to ‘pause before they post’ is a key lesson in digital responsibility. What are some simple ways parents can help their children understand the impact of their digital footprint?
Teaching kids to pause before they post is one of the most important lessons in digital responsibility. I always tell parents to keep it simple. Before their child posts anything online, whether it’s a photo, a comment, or a video, encourage them to ask themselves a few key questions. Would I be okay with a teacher, coach, or future boss seeing this? Does this reflect the best version of me? Would I say this in real life, face-to-face?
One easy way to make this stick is to have them picture their post on a giant billboard in the middle of town. If they wouldn’t want it up there for everyone to see, then it probably shouldn’t go online. The internet doesn’t forget, so we want their digital footprint to be something they’re proud of.
And of course, as parents, we need to model this behavior ourselves. Kids are always watching, so when we pause and think before we post, we’re showing them how it’s done.
Many parents feel like they’ve already lost control of their child’s screen time. What would you say to those who worry it’s too late to set new boundaries?
It is never ever too late to put digital boundaries in place. We are constantly learning more about the dangers of social media, and as we gain new information, it’s only natural to adjust our approach.
I always tell parents to think about it like any other real-life safety concern. If you found out there had been a string of robberies in a park, you wouldn’t just say, “Well, we’ve always gone there so I guess we’ll keep going.” You’d change your plan. Maybe you’d avoid that area or go only during the day with a group. If you heard there were some seedy people at a party your teen was planning to attend, you wouldn’t just let them go anyway. You’d talk about it, set boundaries, and make a safer decision. And if your bike’s brakes suddenly stopped working, you wouldn’t keep riding it downhill hoping for the best. You’d fix them.
The same thinking applies to technology. If we now understand the risks, whether it’s predators, screen addiction, or mental health impacts, we can’t just ignore them because we didn’t set boundaries earlier. We readjust, we put new guardrails in place, and we do what’s best for our kids. It’s never about punishment, it’s about protection.
You emphasize the importance of in-person friendships, outdoor activities, and hobbies. What are some realistic ways parents can encourage their kids to unplug and engage in offline activities?
I always encourage parents to delay giving their child a phone for as long as possible so they can experience life without constant distraction. This helps them build confidence and develop a true sense of what they enjoy.
The best way to encourage unplugging is by filling their time with meaningful activities. Team sports, music, art, and outdoor adventures give kids a sense of purpose beyond a screen. Encouraging them to spend time outside and engage in activities that build character, resilience, and confidence is key.
Most importantly, parents need to lead by example. Setting tech-free times, having phone-free meals, and prioritizing real-life connections show kids that there’s more to life than a screen.
If there was one piece of advice you could give every parent about their child’s smartphone use, what would it be?
It’s so hard to give just one piece of advice because there is so much to say, but if I had to choose, I’d say this: The greatest danger to our kids is giving predators unfettered access to them, day and night, through their devices.
Parents need to stay tapped into what their kids are doing and who they are talking to. We can’t afford to take a hands-off approach when it comes to their online world. Above all, get these devices out of their bedrooms. No child should have unrestricted access to the internet behind closed doors at night. That’s when the worst things happen—sextortion, grooming, and exposure to content they are not ready to handle. Keeping devices in common areas isn’t about spying, it’s about protecting them from dangers they don’t even see coming.
Please visit raadd.ca for more information about this growing movement.
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