On Thursday 22 May, we welcomed parents to a community evening with filmmaker, author and speaker Rob Cope, producer of the documentary Our Kids Online. Held in the Pinehurst Theatre, the session explored the increasingly complex digital world young people are growing up in and the very real challenges many families are now navigating.
With social media, gaming, AI and smartphones playing such a significant role in daily life, the evening encouraged parents to look beyond the surface of the apps and platforms their children use every day. Rob spoke about the rise globally in online unkindness, harmful digital behaviour and the growing pressures young people face online. Topics covered included cyberbullying, social media and mental health, gaming and the developing brain, online predators, AI-generated content, deepfakes, voice cloning, pornography, and the pressure many young people feel around sharing images online.
One area that resonated strongly with parents was online gaming. Rob discussed how children often build friendships on platforms such as Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft, sometimes over many months or even years, and how these online relationships can begin to feel very real and deeply trusted. In some cases, young people introduce these online “friends” into their real-life friendship groups without fully understanding the risks involved. The session highlighted the reality that not everyone online is who they claim to be, and that the risks surrounding online manipulation are often far greater than many parents realise.
The evening also explored how platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Discord can affect anxiety, self-esteem and mental health, and unpacked the hidden features and algorithms specifically designed to keep users constantly engaged. Rob explained how many of these platforms are built around short dopamine rewards, driving endless scrolling and repeated engagement. Growing research into the impact excessive screen exposure can have on children and teenagers socially, emotionally and developmentally was also discussed, particularly when device use begins at a very young age.
Importantly, the evening was not simply focused on concerns. Parents were also given practical strategies and tools to support safer and healthier technology use at home, including advice around filters, smartphone settings, boundaries, open communication and ways families can reconnect away from devices.
What made the evening particularly valuable was the balanced and practical nature of the conversation. It acknowledged that technology is now part of everyday life for young people, while encouraging families to think more intentionally about how it is being used and the influence it is having.
The level of engagement from parents throughout the evening reflected just how relevant these conversations are for families today. We thank Rob Cope for sharing his knowledge and insights so openly with our community, and for helping parents feel more informed, equipped and supported as they navigate the online world alongside their children.
