Advice for parents on how to raise children in a digital world filled with screen time, the Internet, apps and social media like Tik Tok. Our expert advisors answer questions like, “How much screen time should I allow my child?”, and “How to keep kids safe on the Internet”.
Screen time can quietly creep from “just a bit” into daily battles and nagging guilt. A screen time balance calculator for school-age children helps parents see what balance actually looks like, instead of guessing or arguing. It takes the pressure off constant decision-making and replaces it with clarity and realistic boundaries. When screen use is put into context with sleep, school and play, everything feels more manageable. Sometimes knowing the balance changes the conversation completely.
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While there’s nothing wrong with teaching children healthy skincare habits, dermatologists are increasingly warning that many of today’s viral skincare trends may be doing more harm than good. Products designed to treat wrinkles, pigmentation and ageing skin are finding their way into the hands of children whose skin doesn’t need them.
The concern isn’t just about wasted money. Experts say some of these routines could damage a child’s delicate skin barrier, increase the risk of allergic reactions, and create unrealistic beauty expectations at an age when children should be learning confidence, not chasing flawless skin.
Skincare has become one of the fastest-growing categories on platforms like TikTok, where “Get Ready With Me” videos routinely attract millions of views. What has surprised many parents is how young some of the content creators have become.
A landmark 2025 study published in Pediatrics examined 100 skincare videos recommended to accounts posing as 13-year-olds. Researchers found that girls between the ages of seven and 18 used an average of 6 skincare products in their daily routines, while some routines included more than 12 products. The authors concluded that these regimens offered “little to no benefit” for healthy young skin while exposing children to unnecessary risks.
One of the biggest misconceptions behind the trend is that healthy skin requires lots of products. In reality, children’s skin is naturally different from adult skin. Before puberty, young skin produces less oil, has fewer signs of ageing, and generally has a healthy protective barrier that doesn’t require powerful active ingredients.
Many products trending online contain ingredients such as retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other chemical exfoliants that were developed to treat adult skin concerns like wrinkles, acne scars, and pigmentation. While these ingredients can be appropriate for certain medical conditions under professional guidance, they are rarely necessary for children with healthy skin.
According to researchers from Northwestern Medicine, repeatedly exposing young skin to multiple active ingredients may increase the risk of irritation, sun sensitivity, and allergic contact dermatitis, a condition that can sometimes lead to lifelong allergies to skincare ingredients.
Perhaps the most concerning finding from the study was not simply how many products children were using, but what those products contained. Researchers found that the most-viewed skincare routines contained an average of 11 potentially irritating active ingredients, with some routines exposing children to as many as 21 different active ingredients through repeated layering of multiple products.
Rather than improving skin health, using several active ingredients together can weaken the skin’s natural barrier. This may leave skin feeling dry, red, sensitive, and irritated. In some cases, children may unknowingly apply the same ingredient multiple times because it appears in different products within the same routine. For developing skin, more products do not necessarily mean healthier skin.
Ironically, while many routines featured luxury cleansers, toners, serums, and masks, researchers found that one of the most important skincare products was frequently absent. Only 26% of daytime skincare routines included sunscreen, despite sunscreen being widely recognised as the single most effective skincare product for preventing sun damage and reducing future skin cancer risk. Dermatologists consistently recommend daily sunscreen for children spending time outdoors, yet many social media routines place far greater emphasis on cosmetic products than on sun protection.
Beyond the potential skin risks, these routines can also be expensive. The Pediatrics study found that the average skincare routine promoted by young influencers costs approximately $168 per month (about R2700), while some routines exceeded $500 (about R8000). For families, this means spending significant amounts of money on products that experts say provide little benefit for healthy young skin.
Dermatologists say the conversation isn’t just about skincare ingredients. It’s also about the messages children receive. Many skincare videos encourage children to focus on preventing wrinkles, achieving “glass skin,” or correcting imperfections long before these concerns naturally exist. Researchers noted that this may contribute to unrealistic beauty standards and encourage children to equate healthy skin with perfection. When skincare becomes centred on appearance instead of health, children may begin worrying about flaws that don’t actually exist.
Experts agree that most children do not need elaborate skincare routines. For healthy skin, a gentle cleanser, a fragrance-free moisturiser if the skin feels dry, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day are usually all that’s needed. If a child develops acne, eczema, or another skin condition, it’s best to seek advice from a healthcare professional rather than relying on social media recommendations. Parents can also help children understand that skincare should be about looking after their health, not chasing unrealistic beauty ideals promoted online.
There’s nothing wrong with teaching children to care for their skin, but skincare should remain simple, age-appropriate, and focused on health rather than trends. The growing popularity of adult skincare routines among tweens highlights the powerful influence of social media, but current research suggests these routines may expose children to unnecessary ingredients while offering little real benefit. Helping children build healthy habits now, including daily sunscreen use and gentle skincare, is likely to do far more for their skin than the latest viral serum ever could.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. If your child develops persistent skin irritation, allergic reactions, eczema, acne, or any other skin concerns, consult a licensed doctor or dermatologist for an appropriate assessment and treatment plan. Never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of information you have read online.
From social pressure to mental health, Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’: why every parent needs to watch this powerful series offers insight every parent should see.
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For today’s children, the internet is not a luxury. It is a daily part of their world. They use it for learning, connection, entertainment, friendship and self-expression. However, with these opportunities come risks that have become harder for parents to detect, understand or control.
The South African Child Gauge 2025 warns that online violence is now a significant and growing part of the violence ecosystem affecting children. Technology-facilitated harm sits alongside physical, emotional and sexual violence as a major concern. The Child Gauge explains that national datasets such as the National School Violence Study (NSVS) now include technology-facilitated violence because online harm is increasingly shaping children’s experiences and relationships in school and at home.
For parents, this raises an urgent question: are our children truly safe online?
This article breaks down what the Child Gauge reveals about online violence, why children are vulnerable, the signs parents often miss and the practical steps families can take to protect children in a digital world.
The internet is no longer a separate space from a child’s everyday life. It is woven into:
• friendships
• schoolwork
• hobbies
• gaming
• entertainment
• identity development
• communication challenges
• peer pressure
Children move between online and offline worlds seamlessly. What happens online is not “virtual” for them; it is real, emotional and impactful. The Child Gauge shows that violence across environments overlaps, meaning harm that begins online can spill into school or home life.
Digital platforms amplify risk because:
• harmful behaviour can happen at any hour
• perpetrators may be anonymous
• communication reaches a wide audience instantly
• harmful content spreads rapidly
• children often hide online experiences out of fear or shame
This creates a perfect environment for violence that parents may never see.
ALSO READ: What you should know about cyberbullying
Online violence, as described in the Child Gauge, includes a range of harmful behaviours that occur through digital devices or platforms. It affects children across all ages, income levels and locations.
Examples include:
• insults
• threats
• exclusion
• group harassment
• ongoing intimidation
• spreading rumours
• sharing harmful or embarrassing content
• coercive messages
• controlling behaviour through messaging apps
• violent videos
• sexual content
• hate speech
• self-harm encouragement
• extremist content
• grooming
• coercion
• unwanted explicit requests
• sharing sexualised images
• manipulative messaging
• pressure tactics
• online monitoring
• class WhatsApp groups used for humiliation
• edited videos shared to mock a child
Online violence is powerful because it is persistent, inescapable and silent.
The Child Gauge notes that national research increasingly recognises technology-facilitated violence as part of South Africa’s broader violence problem. It explains that online violence is tracked alongside physical and emotional violence in school-related datasets such as the NSVS because it is now a major part of children’s lived experiences.
This inclusion signals several key realities:
• Online violence is common
• It affects learning and school relationships
• Children often do not report it
• It is linked to bullying, peer aggression and social exclusion
• The emotional harm is equal to or worse than offline violence
Studies referenced in the Child Gauge also show that online violence amplifies existing inequalities. Children in lower-income communities may be more vulnerable because of limited supervision, shared devices or exposure to community stress.
Children are naturally curious, trusting and eager to connect. They are also still developing critical thinking, emotional regulation and risk awareness. This combination makes them vulnerable to online harm in ways adults may underestimate.
Children are particularly vulnerable because:
• They don’t always recognise danger
• They fear losing device privileges
• They worry they’ll get into trouble if they say something
• They crave peer acceptance
• They feel pressure to respond or engage
• They have limited control over group chats
• They are targeted by older peers or adults
• Harmful content finds them easily
The Child Gauge stresses that children’s experiences online are often invisible to adults because digital spaces are private, fast-moving and unregulated.
Parents often assume they will know if something is wrong. However, the Child Gauge notes that children rarely disclose violence, both offline and online, because adults who cause or witness harm are often unwilling to report it, and children themselves stay silent due to fear, shame or loyalty.
Children may hide online harm because:
• they feel embarrassed
• they want to avoid disappointing parents
• they blame themselves
• they fear losing phone access
• they believe adults won’t understand
• they fear retaliation at school
• they don’t think anything will change
• they don’t recognise it as violence
Silence does not mean safety.
Online violence rarely leaves visible signs. Parents must rely on emotional and behavioural clues.
Watch for:
• sudden anxiety
• withdrawal or secrecy around devices
• fear of messages or notifications
• mood swings
• reluctance to go to school
• loss of interest in hobbies
• changes in sleep patterns
• unexplained sadness or irritability
• quick screen-switching when adults approach
• crying after being online
• frequent device checks
• aggressive outbursts
These signs can indicate digital harm, even if the child does not talk about it.
The emotional impact of online violence can be severe. The Child Gauge links emotional harm to long-term developmental effects that influence stress regulation, learning and relationships.
Online violence can lead to:
• chronic anxiety
• depression
• emotional overload
• low self-esteem
• panic attacks
• self-harm ideation
• avoidance behaviours
• deep insecurity
• trust issues
• social withdrawal
Digital harm can be even more damaging than in-person bullying because it:
• follows the child everywhere
• spreads to large audiences
• is permanent unless removed
• can be anonymous
• interferes with sleep
• disrupts daily routines
Children may feel trapped in a virtual environment they cannot escape.
Children affected by digital abuse may:
• struggle to concentrate
• fear group work
• avoid school
• feel overwhelmed in social settings
• lose motivation
• see a drop in marks
• skip extramural activities
• withdraw from friendships
The Child Gauge emphasises that school violence, including online harm, shapes learning environments and the wellbeing of children in school settings.
Digital habits formed in early childhood shape future safety. Even young children using tablets for games or videos can encounter harmful content.
Parents should begin teaching digital boundaries as early as possible, including:
• asking before posting pictures
• not sharing personal information
• identifying uncomfortable content
• understanding that people online are not always who they say they are
• recognising cyberbullying
• knowing they can talk to a trusted adult
Digital safety must evolve as children grow.
Parents do not need to be tech experts. They need to be present, curious and available.
Here are practical steps:
Ask your child about their online life without judgement.
Create rules around devices without being intrusive.
Adjust settings on all apps and platforms.
Children are often harmed in class WhatsApp groups.
This reduces exposure to late-night harassment.
Help children understand healthy digital behaviour.
Digital overload increases vulnerability to emotional distress.
Show them how to use safety features on apps.
Help your child manage stress, disappointment and peer conflict.
The Child Gauge shows that school violence and online violence must be addressed together through a whole-school approach.
Schools should:
• educate learners about digital harm
• enforce cyberbullying policies
• create reporting systems
• intervene quickly
• offer psychosocial support
• involve parents
• work with community programmes
• provide teacher training
Online safety cannot be left to families alone.
The Child Gauge emphasises the need for systemic action to prevent violence across environments. Protecting children online requires:
• updated legislation
• stronger child-protection systems
• safer digital design by tech platforms
• improved reporting pathways
• data monitoring
• collaboration with educators and parents
• community-based awareness campaigns
Digital safety must become a national priority.
The Child Gauge 2025 makes it clear that online violence is not a side issue. It is a central part of how violence against children unfolds today. Children’s digital worlds are rich, complex and vulnerable. Parents, schools and communities must work together to make online spaces safer.
You cannot watch every screen, every message or every interaction. But you can give your child the confidence, skills and emotional support they need to navigate the digital world safely.
Children don’t need perfect supervision. They need informed, consistent guidance and a trusted adult they can turn to without fear.
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Giving your teen a phone can feel like opening the door to the entire internet. Suddenly there are questions about screen time, social media, privacy and responsibility. A clear teen phone contract template can help set boundaries before problems start, turning awkward rules into a shared agreement. It creates expectations for safety, respect and healthy phone habits while still giving teens the independence they crave. Discover the teen phone contract every parent should use before handing over that first smartphone.
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Most parents are not looking for another system or set of rules around screen time. What they want is an end to the nightly negotiation that seems to happen every time a device needs to be switched off. The good news is that reducing screen-time conflict does not require complicated strategies. One clear change, applied consistently, is often enough to remove much of the tension.
Instead of open-ended screen time that stretches until someone eventually says no, swap to a daily screen window with a visible timer and a clear place where devices go when time is up. There is one window, one timer and one handover spot. When the timer ends, devices leave the room and go to the charger. The routine stays the same every day. This shift alone removes the minute-by-minute debates that exhaust parents and children alike.
Children cope better with limits when they can see them. A defined start and finish make screen time predictable, which reduces anxiety and resistance. The timer becomes the authority rather than the parent, which helps protect the relationship. When devices charge outside bedrooms, sleep improves naturally without ongoing arguments at bedtime. Most importantly, the routine stays the same whether the day has gone smoothly or not.
Choose a screen window that fits your household rhythm. On school nights, this might be after homework and before bath time. Weekends can look different if you choose, but the structure stays the same. Place a timer where everyone can see it. A kitchen timer or large digital countdown works well, as long as it is visible. Create a charging station outside the bedrooms. A shelf or counter is enough. All devices go there when the window ends. Then say the rule clearly and calmly. For example, “Our family screen window is from 17:30 to 18:15. When the timer ends, devices go to the charger.”
When the routine is new, words matter. Keep your voice warm and your language brief. You might say, “Screens start at 17:30. You can help me set the timer,” or “Ten minutes left. The timer will beep soon.” When time is up, a simple “Timer ended. Chargers please” is enough. Avoid explaining or negotiating in the moment. Fewer words usually mean less resistance.
When children ask for extra time, respond with consistency rather than debate. A calm “Not tonight. The window is finished. Chargers, please” keeps the boundary clear. Offering a future “Yes” can help, such as reminding them they can choose tomorrow’s game if they hand the device over smoothly now. If a child is in the middle of a game, allow a short wrap-up period. Two minutes to pause or save respects their effort without undoing the boundary. If saving is not possible, adjust the timing for the next day rather than extending the current window. If a child refuses to hand the device over, stay calm and model the routine. Walk with them to the charger and help if needed, without lectures or raised voices. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Link the window to existing routines, such as after homework or before supper. Keep screens away from the table during meals and consider shared viewing for younger siblings to reduce conflict. Be clear about content expectations. Age-appropriate choices and a parent-approved app list help avoid disagreements later.
In South African homes, practical adjustments may be needed. During load shedding or power outages near bedtime, move the window earlier and use a power bank at the charging station so the handover still happens. If data is limited, download shows on Wi-Fi and use offline games during the week. On days with late lifts or sports, shorten the window rather than skipping it altogether. The rule stays the same, even if the length changes.
Visual cues can make transitions easier. A simple sequence card showing “Screens on, screens off, chargers” helps children anticipate what comes next. Choose a countdown style your child can understand easily, whether that is a sand timer, large numbers or a colour bar. Gentle transitions matter, so adding a consistent wrap-up song or signal can help prepare them emotionally. Always offer a clear next step. Saying “Chargers, then Lego” is often more effective than simply saying stop.
For preschoolers, shared viewing works best. Keep the timer near the television and consider sending a soft toy to the charger too, so the handover feels playful rather than abrupt. Junior primary children often respond well to ownership. Let them start the timer and place their own device on the charger. Tweens benefit from collaboration. Agree on the daily window together and review it weekly. Protect phone hand-in time at night as part of the routine rather than a punishment.
If routines begin to unravel, shorten the screen window for a few days and reset the habit. Hold the end time even if the start was late. The next morning, acknowledge any smooth handover you noticed. Small resets are often enough to restore calm.
Choose your screen window. Place a timer where everyone can see it. Set up a charging station outside the bedrooms. Tell your child the plan before screens begin. When the timer ends, say “Chargers, please” and follow through. One window, one timer and one handover place allow the rule to do the talking. Over time, the battles fade because the routine stays steady.
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A child’s favourite colour is often more than just a random preference picked in a shop aisle. Exploring what a child’s favourite colour can say about personality opens a playful window into how children express emotions, confidence and comfort. Colour choices can reflect mood, temperament and even how a child experiences the world around them. While it is not a personality test, these small preferences can spark meaningful conversations. Sometimes the simplest choices tell the biggest stories.
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Online gambling in South Africa is growing fast and for many families, it’s no longer just harmless entertainment. When betting shifts from occasional fun to compulsive behaviour, the impact on parents, children and household finances can be devastating. Easy access through mobile apps and aggressive advertising has made online betting more tempting than ever. But when gambling starts affecting relationships, routines and emotional wellbeing, it becomes a family problem.
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Parenting isn’t always black and white, and some decisions spark major debates. From letting your child quit an activity mid-term to saying yes to sleepovers or screen time before school, these real-life controversial parenting scenarios will challenge your thinking. Would you make the same call as most parents, or go against the grain? Each question explores the "why" behind both sides, helping you reflect on your own parenting instincts. Take the challenge and see where you stand on some of the most controversial parenting moments today.
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Ever wondered why you open Shein or Temu “just to browse” and suddenly an hour has disappeared? AI and online shopping are deeply connected, with powerful algorithms tracking your clicks, pauses and purchases to predict exactly what will tempt you next. These platforms use artificial intelligence to personalise deals, trigger urgency and keep you scrolling longer than you planned. It’s not accidental and it’s all engineered. Read more to uncover how AI shapes your shopping habits and how to stay in control of your cart.
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If your messages to teachers keep getting buried, brushed off or left on read, you’re not alone. Knowing how to write teacher emails that actually get a response (and a helpful one!) can make a big difference in your child’s school journey. The trick? It’s not about being pushy. It’s about being clear, respectful and strategic. Whether you're emailing about homework confusion, a playground incident, or learning concerns, this guide will show you how to write in a way that gets noticed and answered. Because when home and school work together, everyone wins.
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