Podcast Player
v2.8: The kids are online podcast artwork

For Tech's Sake
v2.8: The kids are online

Listen on:

Show Notes


Our online spaces are being taken over – by kids! Many children as young as eight have their own devices and social media accounts, and while efforts are made to make kid-safe spaces online, that's simply not going to have the pull of the major platforms.

It's a challenging world to navigate for kids, parents, and all other adults alike, so we got some help from psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor on the matter.

You can follow Colman on Twitter @colnoc77 and read more about him and his work at ColmanNoctor.com.

You can also find lots of advice, and the latest stats on children and tech in Ireland, at CyberSafeKids.ie.

— Here's some more info on Finland's digital media literacy curriculum: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/10/world/europe/finland-misinformation-classes.html

— Here's what the US surgeon general had to say about kids on social media: https://www.npr.org/2023/05/23/1177626373/u-s-surgeon-general-vivek-murthy-warns-about-the-dangers-of-social-media-to-kids

— You can read about Dr Pablo Gracia's research project on Silicon Republic: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/trinity-eu-erc-grant-teenage-digital-use-social-inequality

— And if you're looking at your own phone habits and feel it would be better to make some changes, a good place to start is the book How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price

If you want to hear more from Colman, we'll release a bonus episode next week featuring his extended interview. This is exclusive to HeadStuff+ Community members so do look into signing up at HeadStuffPodcasts.com. As usual, we'll be back in a fortnight with an all-new episode.

For Tech’s Sake is a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network, hosted by Elaine Burke and Jenny Darmody. Thank you to Hilary Barry for production, Matt Mahon and Dall-E for our graphics, Claudia Grandez for her social media support, and all at the HeadStuff team.

Be sure to rate and review if you enjoyed this week's episode, and follow us @fortechssakepod on your platform of choice for updates.