Balancing screen time with quality family moments can be a daily challenge for many families. Children are now using their devices not only for educational purposes and staying connected but also for entertainment, making it harder to define a reasonable limit on screen time.
In an effort to promote open discussions on online safety within families, a campaign called The Family Chat is being conducted throughout 2026 in partnership with Tesco Mobile. Author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher is engaging with parents and their children to address the challenges they encounter, the strategies they employ, and how Tesco Mobile’s online safety tools can be beneficial.
Among these resources is a downloadable family pledge that enables families to establish basic guidelines regarding healthy screen time practices and ensuring children’s online safety. Giovanna emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing and adjusting rules, mentioning that her family focuses on not letting phone usage become a standalone activity, especially for younger children.
For the Karley family, consisting of Anna, Emmanuel, and their three teenagers, phones play a vital role in communication, school tasks, and managing their busy schedules. Seeking a fun approach to discussing screen time, they participated in the Team Mum v Team Dad Online Safety Challenge, where they completed various tasks without using their phones.
After completing the challenges, the Karleys committed to implementing their newfound knowledge by completing Tesco Mobile’s family pledge, outlining agreements on screen time management, privacy, and sharing. Utilizing Tesco Mobile’s Online Safety Hub for expert guidance, they have initiated a phones-down rule at 9.30 pm to prioritize family activities like playing quizzes together.
Awareness of online content risks is crucial, including sensational headlines, suspicious websites, and content that evokes extreme emotions. It is advised to verify information on reputable websites and teach children how to confirm social media accounts for authenticity. Additionally, engaging in fact-checking activities as a family can enhance digital literacy and critical thinking skills.