It seems like everyone has a smartphone or tablet these days – and that includes our kids. It’s estimated that 47% of 10-year-olds in the UK have access to a smartphone, a number which rises to 93% by the time they reach 15. But is the fact that our children have the internet at their fingertips really such a good thing? Worrying statistics suggest that up to 43% of children have experienced online bullying, and children’s charity ChildLine reports a massive 87% increase in calls concerning cyberbullying in the last three years. So how do we keep our children safe? Woman’s Own investigates...
Corrinia Bennett, 34, lives in Lincolnshire with her husband, John, 44, and their three daughters.
As my phone flashed on the coffee table in front of me, I put down my cup of tea. It was July 2018 and I’d settled down on the sofa for the evening with my husband John, then 42.
‘Have you seen this?’ the message read. It was from the mother of a girl who was in the same class as my daughter, Mia-Lili, then 10. Looking down at the screenshot on my phone, I felt sick.
It was a picture taken from Instagram of Mia-Lili, with a poll plastered over it. ‘Who thinks she's ugly?’ it said. And to my horror, 53% of people had voted ‘hell yeah’.
This story is from the September 30, 2019 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 30, 2019 edition of WOMAN'S OWN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the gender gap, cats and timed hugs
Check out CHICAGO
With a spectacular skyline, sandy beaches and great food, the Windy City is calling, says Zoe West
LET'S EMBRACE OUR CHRISTMAS TAT!
Becky Dickinson explains why she'll still be rocking around her tinsel-strewn tree this year
BURIED SECRETS
We look at the shocking cases of celebrities posthumously accused of being sexual predators-and how they got away with it
FESTIVE NO-BAKES
Pop on the Christmas tunes and whip up a batch of these easy sweet treats
PROTECT YOUR SMILE
Are you doing enough to look after your teeth and gums?
'TIS THE SEASON TO SHINE!
At last, Hayley McCrossan, 39, feels fit and healthy
FOR THE LOVE OF TOM
When Deborah Mitchell, 57, lost her son, she vowed to help other families facing the same heartbreak
THE NURSE WHO LEFT MY GRANDAD FOR DEAD belict
Rachael Fealey, 31, had one question for the woman who killed her beloved Grampa - how could you?
Coleen's MONEY WORRIES
What are the reasons behind her financial and marriage fears?