Digital safety, especially for kids, is top of mind for many parents these days. Even if your child or teen doesn’t have their own device yet, they likely spent time online, either watching videos, playing games or researching for school projects. As fast as technology is changing and the emergence of AI, it can be tricky for parents to keep up with new dangers that may be surfacing. I’m happy to introduce Margot Denommé, a digital safety expert from Canada, to offer us some tips and resources for helping keep our kids safe online.
Q1: Tell us a little about yourself and how you became interested in digital safety.
I am Margot Denommé, a retired Crown Attorney, author, and mother of two daughters. I spent over 26 years prosecuting criminal cases and saw firsthand how digital dangers, from cyberbullying to sextortion, were affecting young people. After years of working in the justice system, I realized we needed to do more to prevent these issues before they reached the courtroom.
That is why I retired from the Ministry of the Attorney General and founded Raising Awareness About Digital Dangers, (raadd) and also wrote The Family Smartphone Guide, a resource designed to help parents navigate the physical, mental, and legal implications of smartphone use. My goal is to equip families with practical tools to protect their children’s well-being in an increasingly digital world. I believe education is key because once a child is caught in a dangerous online situation, the consequences can be devastating.
Q2: Parents hear a lot about smartphone and digital safety from child development experts and psychologists. What unique perspective do you bring to this topic as a former prosecutor?
Most discussions around digital safety focus on mental health, which is absolutely crucial. My background as a former prosecutor allows me to bring a legal lens to the conversation that many parents are not even aware of.
Many parents do not make the connection between giving their child a smartphone and the fact that their child can commit criminal offenses with it. They think of the device as a communication tool, but it is also a powerful tool for harm if misused. A child can be charged with criminal offenses like the distribution of child pornography, making online threats, or participating in many cyberbullying-type offenses. Kids do not always understand the seriousness of their actions, but the justice system does. I want to prevent families from experiencing the heartbreak of seeing their child caught in the justice system for something they didn’t fully understand. The Family Smartphone Guide bridges this knowledge gap, helping kids use their devices safely, responsibly, and legally. I am also committed to raising awareness and educating families about the prevalence of online predators. The scope of this issue is shocking, and prevention through education is key to keeping kids safe.
Related reading: The Revealing Reason Why Kids Love Video Games
Q3: Many kids I know get a smartphone because they want to communicate with their friends independently or go around the neighborhood on their own and want a phone to have this type of independence. What issues do you think parents need to be aware of related to this issue of independence and the prevalence of smartphones?
It is completely natural for kids to crave independence. But independence does not mean unrestricted access to the internet and social media. Parents need to ask if their child is ready for the responsibility that comes with a smartphone.
Here are a few key concerns:
Location Tracking and Privacy. Many apps share location without kids realizing it, putting them at risk.
Digital Footprint. What kids post today can impact college, jobs, and future opportunities. Screenshots last forever.
Predator and Stranger Contact. Smartphones give strangers access to kids. Predators go where children are online and often pose as kids. They are found on apps like Snapchat, Instagram, Wizz, and gaming platforms like Roblox and Fortnite. Have the conversation, kids are not automatically safe.
Mental Health Risks. Comparison culture, sleep disruption, self-harm content, and pressure to always be available take a toll on children’s well-being. If parents want to give their child a way to call them in an emergency without opening the door to all these risks, I strongly advocate for starting with a flip phone or a restricted-use device. That way, kids get the independence they want without the risks they are not ready for.
Q4: Do you have general questions or issues parents should consider before giving their child a smartphone (without giving away too much of what is in your guide)?
Absolutely. I always encourage parents to pause and have a serious conversation
before handing over a smartphone. Many of these discussion points are included in the
Guide. Some key questions include:
- What rules and boundaries will we set? I would ensure that no phones in the bedroom at night is a mandatory rule. It not only interferes with sleep, it provides predators with unfettered access to your child.
- How will we monitor usage? Will we use parental controls or regular check-ins?
- Does my child understand online risks? Would they recognize a scam or a predator?
- Can my child handle conflict without making impulsive decisions? Would they respond to online drama in a way they will not regret?
- Am I modeling the habits I want my child to adopt? Kids copy what they see, not just what they are told.
I also stress the importance of a family contract, which I include in The Family Smartphone Guide. This helps parents and kids align on expectations before the phone enters their hands.
Q5: How do you advise parents about keeping up with the rapidly changing technology, especially AI and ever-changing scams? It seems so overwhelming as a busy parent to stay on top of all these changes.
I completely understand. It is overwhelming. But here is the good news. You do not have to know everything to protect your child. Instead, focus on teaching principles rather than just keeping up with every new scam or app. A few core rules will go a long way:
~ If it seems too good to be true, it is. Scams, fake job offers, and free giveaways online are often traps.
~ Never share private information. Kids should never send pictures, full names, or addresses to anyone online.
~ Respect your child’s privacy. Avoid oversharing their life online and protect their digital footprint.
~ Trust your gut. If something feels off, teach kids to tell you immediately. Screenshots are forever. Anything shared online can be saved, even if it disappears on an app like Snapchat.
For parents who want quick, reliable updates, I recommend following trusted sources like Raising Awareness About Digital Dangers, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Common Sense Media or Fairplay, to name a few.
Q6: One challenge I hear from parents is that even if they want their child to play outside more and prioritize in-person friendships, it can be hard to find other families with these same values to make this happen. For example, they try to send their child out to the local playground after school but few children their child’s age are there to play with. Any ideas?
This is such an important issue, and I hear it all the time from parents. We know that play is critical for healthy childhood development, yet screens have replaced so much of it.
One approach is to build your own community of like-minded parents.
- Organize screen-free playdates. Create a group chat with parents who value outdoor play and set up regular meetups.
- Join Wait Until 8th (in the USA) or Unplugged Canada (in Canada). These movements encourage parents to delay smartphones and prioritize real-life play.
- Create screen-free zones in your home. Sometimes kids just need the boredom to push them outdoors.
- Engage your child’s school. Advocate for recess games, after-school programs, or community events that encourage in-person interaction.
- Another key piece is to be the role model. If kids see us prioritizing face-to-face time and putting our phones away, they are more likely to do the same. At the end of the day, kids want connection. We just must give them opportunities to experience the joy of real-world friendships.
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