The SHE Word Mums: Raising Children in a Digital Age

Raising children has never been simple, but today's parents are navigating challenges that previous generations could have never imagined. In this thought provoking episode, we explore what it means to parent in a world where smartphones, social media, artificial intelligence, and endless digital content are becoming part of childhood earlier than ever before.

Joined by three expert guests, host Maxine, unpacks some of the biggest concerns facing families today.

Dr Tasha Attard, a mum of 2, a behavioural analyst, and the owner of the bridge by BxConsultancy,

Dr Lucianne Zammit, a mum of 2, a lecturer in Ethics education at the University of Malta, with a PHD in promoting the responsible use of technology in schools.

Dr Erika Galea, a mum of 2, a cognitive and developmental psychologist. She is a lecturer within the department of Early Childhood and Primary Education at the University of Malta. Dr Erika is the founder of the Educational Neuroscience Hub Europe and the co author of the book called 'Teaching Generation Alpha in the Classroom’.

Together and from the pov of mothers, we discuss the growing pressure parents feel when their child is one of the few without a smartphone, and the guilt and self-doubt that can arise when it seems like ‘everyone else's child’ is already connected online.

The conversation dives into the impact of social media use at a young age, the rise of YouTube Shorts and other short-form content, and what emerging research suggests about attention spans, brain development, emotional regulation, and social skills. We also explore the growing phenomenon of AI companions and digital relationships, asking what this could mean for children's development and future connections. We have incredibly difficult but extremely important discussions about declining mental health among young people and how in some unbearably tragic cases, how this has led to suicide.

We also speak about the vital role of digital literacy helping children not only stay safe online but also how they can become critical thinkers, using technology responsibly.

Most importantly, this episode ends with hope. Our guests share practical advice, reassurance, and empowering strategies for parents who are trying to find the right balance in an increasingly digital world.

Whether you're already facing requests for a smartphone or simply wondering how to prepare your child for the online world, this conversation offers valuable insights, expert guidance, and a reminder that no parent needs to navigate these challenges alone.

HUGE thanks to our partners for supporting these conversations: Browns, Verdala, Always, Tampax, Monsoon, Dilmah Tea, Ayurveda, Growth Gurus, SteadyTemp distributed by HLL.