Safeguarding & Prevention Archives

Why Everyone Should be Praising the UK’s Decision to Block Porn

By MarilynMar 29, 2019

The UK promises to roll out its online age verification policy in the coming weeks. So, instead of porn being the default setting for every internet-connected device, consumers will now need to provide identification proving they're over 18. This is brilliant. And a huge victory for the protection of children against sexually exploitative material. But yup, you guessed it! Not everyone is celebrating. This week Debra Soh, columnist for The Globe and Mail, wrote a piece touting all the reasons she believes age verification is a bad idea. It’s an opinion article for sure. Still, one would think standing behind…

Getting Involved, Safeguarding & Prevention

Beware of the Rattlesnakes: Safeguarding Your Kids from Pornography

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastFeb 13, 2019

What is the right age to start talking to kids about pornography? Listen and find out! Marilyn loves to go hiking in the Rocky Mountains with her family. But every time they go, her husband gives them the “snake talk,” warning them about the venomous snakes lurking in the woods and sunning themselves on the big rocks. So how does this tie in with pornography? If your tablet had rattlesnakes in it, would you hand it to your kids without telling them about the rattlesnakes? For that matter … What is the right age to start having these difficult talks…

Safeguarding & Prevention

Get Off the Fence: Talk to Your Kids About Pornography

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastJan 30, 2019

In this episode, we'll give you 3 strategies to get "un-stuck" and start talking to your kids about pornography. Parenting is hard work, and sometimes involves difficult discussions with our kids. For most folks, pornography is at the top of the list! We may worry … What if I say the wrong thing? So instead we stay stuck on the fence. When it comes to porn, we waffle back and forth: To talk or not to talk? That is the question. In this episode we give you 3 ways to get off the fence and start talking: Related Article: Three…

Parenting & Communication, Safeguarding & Prevention

Nurturing kids with 3 battle-winning tools to fight against porn

By JaneDec 14, 2018

When it feels like a battle... Think about life for a minute. No, I’m not just talking about what’s for dinner but the really big stuff. What have been your greatest family joys? Are there some sorrows mixed in there too? How does it all stack up against your worries of today? And what does the future hold? Does it ever feel like a battle? Whoa, now we’re getting serious! Every family will of course have their own story to tell. And every individual in that family will see things from their perspective. But as a mom of young children…

Safeguarding & Prevention

Defining Pornography is Easier than You Think [New Video]

By MarilynOct 26, 2018

Experts agree, the first step to solving any problem is to define it. This strategy ensures precious energy is focused where it's needed most. The goal being to overcome the obstacle—and not just treat the symptoms. Today we’ll discuss best practices for defining pornography for kids. Find out more in this video: Interestingly, both the Canadian and US Supreme Courts have struggled with the task of defining pornography for decades. This is in large part why unlimited amounts of violent and sexually degrading content can be freely accessed on almost every internet platform regardless of age. Canada: “A great deal of the…

Safeguarding & Prevention

Back to School Basics for Open Communication and Tech Safety

By MarilynSep 14, 2018

Let’s talk about keeping the conversation going now that school’s back in session. [media-credit name="Pixabay" link="https://pixabay.com/en/school-education-learning-converse-909381/" align="aligncenter" width="800"][/media-credit] Don’t you just love the school routine (cue eye-roll)...lunches, homework, extracurriculars? It’s go, go, go! Plus, there are all of the forms to sign! Every afternoon I see a new stack waiting for me on the kitchen table. As much as I loathe paperwork it has provided me with a natural opportunity to talk to my kids again about pornography. Believe it or not, it can for you too. To find out how watch the video below or continue reading: Creating layered…

Parenting & Communication, Safeguarding & Prevention

Episode 003: Parent/Child Talks that Help Kids Avoid the Porn Trap

By MarilynMay 03, 2018

Do you have good kids that get into mischief? All kids do! In this episode, Kayley and I talk about how to foster a relationship with our children where they can come to us about anything. Knowing home is a safe place to talk can actually help kids avoid the porn trap. It’s about keeping all lines of communication open even when kids think they’ve messed up or the subject matter feels too embarrassing to share. [media-credit name="Pixabay" link="https://pixabay.com/en/laughter-laugh-fun-mom-daughter-775062/" align="aligncenter" width="800"][/media-credit] When you consider how much curiosity drives learning, you know kids will have bumps and bruises while they’re learning to…

Parenting & Communication, Safeguarding & Prevention

Raising Strong Girls in Today’s Porn-saturated Culture

By MarilynMar 30, 2018

Girls struggle with porn. Perhaps we know that objectively —but as a society and more importantly as parents we have not yet come to terms with the scope of the issue. Today we are talking about what it takes to raise strong girls in today’s porn-saturated culture. Here’s one mom’s plea for help: “I just found out my daughter’s searching for porn,” Alana (name changed) confessed in a private Facebook group. “She’s only eleven and the images are horrific! I can’t even believe what my baby’s eyes have seen.” [media-credit name="Unsplash" link="https://unsplash.com/photos/utqzIHjLons" align="aligncenter" width="800"][/media-credit] "The one addiction a woman can…

Especially for Girls, Safeguarding & Prevention

The 7-day rule: Giving Your Kids a Safer Internet Experience

By MarilynFeb 09, 2018

February 6th was Safer Internet Day. And that got me thinking, “What could I do —or what could any parent do right now to make their kid’s internet experience safer?” Then it came to me —use the 7-day rule!! It can feel next to impossible to keep up with all the tricks and sneaky ways porn and predators have access to our kids through the internet. And with millions of apps available to children, how can parents be sure which are safe to use? [media-credit id=1 align="alignnone" width="800"][/media-credit] The solution is actually simpler than you think. It’s called the 7-day…

Parenting Survival Tips, Safeguarding & Prevention

E-free days: Unexpected Benefits for the Whole Family

By MarilynOct 24, 2017

When Kim and I met for lunch we had so much catching up to do that I almost forgot why I had planned this get-together with her. “Don’t forget! You were going to ask me about our family’s ‘E-free’ days.” “Oh my GOSH!” How could I have let that slip my mind? “Yes!!!” Honestly, this conversation couldn’t have come at a better time. I had just finished reading a sobering article, Have Smartphones Destroyed A Generation? If you haven’t read it yet—spoiler alert! Kids who have grown up with a silver iPhone in their hand describe themselves as more lonely…

Parenting Survival Tips, Safeguarding & Prevention