South Africa’s youth unemployment problem has consistently been ranked as one of the worst in the world.* As we observe World Youth Skills Day on 13 July 2018, it is difficult to overlook the fact that 64% of our young people are currently unemployed. This shocking statistic can be attributed to a wide range of socio-economic factors such as poor levels of education and lack of mobility.    

Columba, Absa and M4JAM have recently announced the roll-out of the ‘Absa ReadytoWork’ programme in 20 schools across the country, in response to the situation and to empower learners with the skills needed to succeed. The programme hopes to positively influence the future of 5 000 grade 10 and 11 learners, by giving them the essential tools needed for the transition from school into the working world. The roll-out comes after the success of last year’s pilot programme in 13 schools in Gauteng.    

“Although schools do their best to teach learners everything they need to know in the curriculum, they do not always have the means or the time to equip learners with all the skills necessary to attain employment and keep it,” says Desmond Zeelie, Columba special projects officer. “With this platform, we hope to enhance and bring some relief to our over-loaded and over-worked education system,” he continues.   

The programme is made-up of four modules, which focus on enhancing work skills such as finding and applying for suitable jobs; people skills like interpersonal skills needed when working in a team; money skills to do with managing personal finances, and entrepreneurial skills related to those required when starting a business. These courses are facilitated and conducted by trained Columba alumni, which in turn provide the alumni with employment, experience and the opportunity to make a difference.   

Columba Leadership is a non-profit youth based leadership organisation that has worked in 169 schools in nine-years; assisting each school for several years to build capacity in order for the school to sustain the programme. The organisation works to help youths from impoverished backgrounds access their full potential and sense of purpose through value-focussed and innovative ways that build character and develop essential life skills that are necessary for success in and after school.   

“Instead of treating unemployed youth as a problem, we’ve made them part of the solution and employed them to upskill other unemployed youths. This approach has allowed students and facilitators to meet on common ground, as each member understands the harsh realities faced in these areas enabling them to contextualise the information accordingly,” says Tracy Hackland, Columba CEO.  “The next generation needs to be innovative to help solve the problems we face today,” concludes Hackland.    

For more information about Columba Leadership (www.columba.org.za) contact Tracy Hackland at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 011 440 5790.  

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Tiffany Mac Sherry
084 423 3466
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Gone are the days when children went to school, came home, made a peanut butter sandwich and went to play with the neighbourhood kids!  Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres explains “Children are naturally high-energy beings and very little thought is given to the extreme pressures and overloading of activities that our children face in the world that we find ourselves living in today! As adults, we are familiar with the challenges of physical and emotional burn-out, but we do not consider that children are prone to burn out as well.  In fact, burn out in children, if left unchecked, can lead to depression, complete apathy and a myriad of health issues.”

Cindy goes on to explain that many children are being subjected to competitive and pressured activities all day, every day and at a pace that most adults would find challenging to keep up!  “Academic expectations, sports (school and clubs), cultural and religious studies, extra lessons, music, art, drama, dance…. the list goes on and on… when packed, back-to-back into the daily schedule of children can lead to overloaded children becoming exhausted and this may lead to burn out!”

Parents who notice that their children are showing a combination of the following signs may want to consider that their children may be heading towards burn out-or worse-have already burned out!

• A loss of motivation or desire for activities that they once enjoyed or looked forward to.
• Anxiety, fearfulness and panic attacks
• Fatigue and tearfulness, withdrawn, uncharacteristic tantrums
• Feelings of dejection, making excuses or simply refusing to attend activities that they may have enjoyed before
• Physical illnesses, loss of appetite, nail biting
• Falling behind in academics or other activities

Burn out is not something to be taken lightly.  Cindy gives the following tips to consider when dealing with burn out in children:

1. Choose to be a mindful parent. Watch, communicate, listen-with-understanding, acknowledge that something needs to change and act to help and support your child!
   
   
2. Honestly assess the activities and stress causers in your child’s life.
   
   
3. Work with your child to reduce or stop the activities that cause the greatest stress. Allow time for your children to just BE. Allow time for rest and reflection, for childish games and laughter. Teach your children the importance of listening to their bodies and making healthy choices for themselves—choices that are uplifting, enjoyable and less pressured.
   
   
4. Be realistic in terms of how many activities your child is doing every day and every week. Watch for signs of exhaustion. Engender a relationship of non-judgemental communication with your child. Guide, support and teach them positive coping skills (which may or may not involve a change in schedule).
   
   
5. Choose to create balance in yours and your children’s lives. There is no advantage or positive learning that can take place from overloading a child! It is important for children to learn a variety of skills as they grow, but be aware of how much is expected of them—too much can be counter-productive! 

Cindy concludes by saying “Burn out in children is more prevalent that we may have allowed ourselves to consider before! It can lead to serious consequences.  As parents, it is essential that we acknowledge that children, although naturally high energy beings, can and will burn out if their lives are out of balance and the signs are left unchecked!”

About Step Up
Established in 2016, Step Up Education Centres is a dynamic after-school remediation and tutoring franchise with a difference. Step Up offers children an opportunity to succeed in a schooling system that is, at times, very unsympathetic.  From the moment, a child walks through a Step Up Education Centre door they feel different.  They no longer feel silly or stupid. They no longer feel misunderstood. They no longer feel judged. After just one lesson they feel hope. They see possibility. After a few sessions, they walk taller, feel smarter, do better. Why? Because Step Up believes that every child has potential… and our passionate educators will not give up until they reach it!                                                                                                                                               

Press release disseminated on Behalf of:
Cindy Glass
Director and Co-Founder of Step Up Education Centres

Disseminated by:
Carmen White
Account Manager
Sam Watt Marketing Communications
081 260 4011

EduWeek Africa, the largest and most recognised live education event in Sub-Saharan Africa, hosted its annual awards ceremony on 15 June 2018 at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg. The theme of the exhibition was ‘Education 4.0 for Industry 4.0’, which addressed education’s response to increased automation and data exchange in most industries. EduWeek Africa celebrated all the innovators and service providers that are bridging the gap between education today, and the education of the future at the Education Industry Awards, in key partnership with Pearson South Africa.

Herewith a list of the categories of the nominated suppliers and/or distributors of the year, and an indication of the winners in each category:

1. Basic Education

1.1 Impaq
1.2 Snapplify
1.3 Edit Microsystems
1.4  OLICO Maths Education (Category winner).
1.5 Smart Choice 

2. TVET & Higher Education
2.1 FESTO (Category winner)
2.2 Snapplify
2.3 Christiani GmbH
2.4 Fundi 

3. Early Childhood Development
3.1 Edit Microsystems
3.2 Moves for Life
3.3 Missing Link
3.4 Mini Chess (Category winner)
3.5 Impaq 

4. Inclusive Education
4.1 Sensory Solutions
4.2 Edit Microsystems (Category winner)
4.3  EXOLab 

5.1 ICT
5.1 Parrot Products
5.2 RS Components
5.3 Veative
5.4 Xander (Category winner)
5.5 Edit Microsystems 

6. Innovation Award
6.1 Book for Every Child Foundation
6.2  Edit Microsystems (Category winner)
6.3  EXOLab
6.4  Veative 

INDIVIDUAL/ORGANISATION AWARDS

7. NGO Impact of the Year
7.1  FEDSAS
7.2  iSchoolAfrica Education Trust
7.3  ORT SA
7.4  Thanda
7.5  The Billion Child Foundation (Category winner)
7.6  Symphonia 

8. Institution Leader of the Year
8.1  Alan Whitaker, Founder & CEO, The Billion Child Foundation
8.2  Edward Mosuwe, Head of Department (Superintendent-General), Gauteng Department of Education  (Category winner)
8.3  Helen Louise Buhrs, CEO, Inscape Education Group (Pty) Ltd
8.4  Silas Moraila, Principal, Ngwanamatlang Secondary School8.5  Makhubedu, Principal, Diepsloot Secondary No3 

9. ICT Implementer of the Year
9.1  Dr. Candice Livingston, Cape Peninsula University of Technology 
9.2  Dr. Lynn Bowie (PhD Mathematics), Maths Coordinator at OLICO Maths Education (Category winner)
9.3  Dimakatso Sefora, HOD, Saron Primary school
9.4  Jason Fisher, Randfontein High School 

10. Inspiration Award
10.1 Kubeshini Govender, Chief Education Specialist, Western Cape Education Department
10.2 Alan Whitaker, CEO & Founder, The Billion Child Foundation
10.3 Khangelani W Sibiya, Maths and Science Teacher, Siphumelele Secondary School (Category winner)
10.4 Ashra Norton Norton, Director and Founder, The Leadership Colleges Shanette Tiquin, Principal, Carleton Jones High School
10.6 Thato Mfikwe, President, ISOC Gauteng Chapter 

Lifetime Achievement Award
11.1 Paul Colditz, CEO at FEDSAS (Category winner)
11.2 Alan Whitaker, CEO & Founder, The Billion Child Foundation
11.3 Dr Ali Adam, Chairperson and Founder, 2 Oceans Education Foundation 

Winter school holidays are just around the corner, and with it inevitably comes three weeks of your children sitting at home complaining that they are ‘bored’ and being unable to play outside because of the cooler temperatures (especially inland) . Bored children tend to bicker with their sibling or end up being mischievous. The winter chill is unfortunately unavoidable but the boredom that comes with it can be sidestepped completely. Before cabin fever hits your home, and you start counting down the hours until the start of third term, try one of our boredom buster activities – they are all not only kid but Blue Bird Aupair approved! 

1. Holiday Diary – Buy a note book and cover it and encourage your child to write in it every day. If your child is younger than 8, get them to draw pictures, paint or colour their days. They can get creative as they want and stick in photos, do check-lists of activities they want to do and draw pictures to remind them of the ‘winter holidays of 2018’.
   
   
2. Gardening – Checkers’ mini gardens have given children (and their parents!) green fingers overnight. Use the holidays to get the children in the garden, planting, weeding and watering! It brings a new dimension to messy play.
   
   
3. Make sock puppets by gluing wool on the top of an old sock and using a permanent marker and scraps of material to make eyes, nose and a mouth, then put on a puppet show.
   
   
4. Have a tea party with the little ladies (and gentlemen) in your home. Encourage them to dress in their ‘Sunday best’ for the occasion. Don’t forget dust off the good cutlery and crockery!
   
   
5. Visit the library. Municipal libraries are packed with books which will the entire family’s imagination FREE! Just take along your most up-to-date municipal bill, complete the forms and choose from a plethora of books (and DVD’s).
   
   
6. Bake your favourite biscuit or cake recipe and let your child decorate their creation as they please. You supply sprinkles, icing and sweeties and let them do the rest.
   
   
7. Make your own non-toxic play dough by mixing together half a cup of salt, 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar, mix in a cup of boiling water and a few drops of food colouring.
   
   
8. Board games. Dust off the old Monopoly or Snakes and Ladders set and revive the old-fashioned fun of playing a game that does not require a battery or TV screen. Or, try teaching your children the lost art of chess or backgammon! 

Remember, that young and enquiring minds need to be stimulated and engaged or boredom and the inevitable unruly behaviour will be sure to present itself. With a bit of imagination (and patience) winter holidays can not only be bearable but enjoyable for the entire family!     

Press release disseminated on behalf of:

Blue Bird Aupair Agency
By:Carmen White
Sam Watt Marketing Communications
Phone: 081 260 4011
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Blue Bird
Since inception in 2017 Blue Bird has matching local and international families with responsible, passionate young South Africans! At Blue Bird Aupairs our client’s children are our Number One priority! You see, our ‘Blue Birds’ aren’t just ordinary girls, they are strong, responsible young woman who are passionate about the health, wellbeing and education of our client’s precious gifts. For more information go to: https://bluebirdaupairs.co.za

The academic year can be a challenging time for families.  It becomes even more so when a child resists or tries to avoid going to school. Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres explains “Emotions tend to run high, panic may set in and too often, parents feel quite helpless in these stressful situations. Children may feign illness, throw temper tantrums or act out in other negative ways in order to force their parents to let them stay at home. The reasons why are varied. Children who are being bullied, are constantly being yelled at, who battle with the academic programme or who feel lonely or depressed may insist on staying home instead of attending the regular school day. Exhaustion, fear of an upcoming test or assignment or fears of a wrongdoing may also contribute to school avoidance. Dealing with these situations is never easy and, as with all challenges in bringing up our children, there is no one-size-fits-all solutions.” 

Cindy suggests the following helpful tips if you have a child who no longer wants to go to school:

1. Don’t panic and let fear-filled emotions (such as anger and critical judgement) cloud your vision in finding positive, helpful solutions. Remember that all negative behavioral choices are based on some sort of fear.  Make it your mission to find out what it is that your child is afraid of and then decide on how best to give your child the tools needed to face and overcome those fears.

2. Don’t allow staying at home to become a ‘fun’ alternative to going to school. Be firm in not allowing activities such as watching TV or playing computer games when a child stays home on a school day. There need to be consequences to not going to school-be it catching up on missed work, learning for the missed test or just being bored! Teach your children not to avoid their fears, but to face them and to find solutions that work for them.

3. Keep the lines of communication between yourself and your children and yourself and your children’s teachers, wide open! Honest, non-judgemental communication can lead to many valuable life lessons being learned.

4. Choose to be supportive, but firm in your resolve to ensure that your child attends school. It is essential to allow your child to tell you (without fear) why he/she is avoiding school. If any abuse (from peers or teachers) is the cause of school avoidance, it is essential that you take the matter up with the appropriate authorities within a school. No child should be staying at home for fear of abuse of any kind.

Cindy concludes by saying “There are no easy, one-stop solutions to dealing with the challenges of a child who refuses to go to school. Remember that, as a parent, how you choose to handle the situation will set the tone for how your child will handle challenges in his life.  Be consistently loving and firm while you aim at finding  positive, sustainable solutions.” 

Press release disseminated by:
Carmen White
081 260 4011
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sam Watt Marketing Communications 

About Step Up
Established in 2016, Step Up Education Centres is a dynamic after-school remediation and tutoring franchise with a difference. Step Up offers children an opportunity to succeed in a schooling system that is, at times, very unsympathetic.  From the moment, a child walks through a Step Up Education Centre doors they feel different.  They no longer feel silly or stupid. They no longer feel misunderstood. They no longer feel judged. After just one lesson they feel hope. They see possibility. After a few sessions, they walk taller, feel smarter, do better. Why? Because Step Up believes that every child has potential…And our passionate educators will not give up until they reach it!

Education is too expensive and does not prepare students for the workplace. These are the lamentations of both employers and students across Africa. Why are educational institutions not changing their curricula fast enough to provide relevant education that satisfies industry skills demands? What do students really pay for when getting an education?These are some of the questions that Edzai Conilias Zvobwo has been asking for years.

Out of disgruntlement from the rhetoric and low pace of change, Edzai, popularly known as “The MathsGenius” has decided to be the change he would like to see.Edzai is on a mission to facilitate the free delivery of relevant skills to anyone who wants to learn. “In the information age, knowledge is free, and students are merely paying for accreditation and associated prestige that comes with institutional names”, said Zvobwo who has created an online platform that offers free courses and educational insights on all subjects.According to information on the platform’s homepage, MathsGee is an online content recycling initiative.

The platform serves as a bank for educational content in the form of courses.

The content on MathsGee is free for everyone, everywhere and anytime. The courses are being developed in conjunction with organizations that are willing to share knowledge and contribute in solving the educational crisis across the continent.To bridge the expectation gap between students and employers, it is necessary to co-create learning paths that are focused on skills and not necessarily labelled as degrees or diplomas.

What industry needs are skills and not qualifications. MathsGee offers this opportunity to employers to communicate their expectations to the future workforce to avoid discord.In line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, MathsGee is also tackling the exclusivity of education by providing all courses for free. If one has an internet connection, then they will be able to learn any skill anytime and anywhere.It is important that all stakeholders rethink about what education is relevant and how it should be delivered.

For more information on the initiative you can send an //mathsgee.com/joburg-social-entrepreneur-on-a-mission-to-democratize-education-delivery-in-africa/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">email  or simply use the “Contact Us” form on the platform.

The idea of writing exams rarely brings about emotions of excitement and happy anticipation!  In fact, feelings of anxiety, panic and outright fear are what most parents and learners experience when exam time comes knocking at their door! Cindy Glass, Director and Co-founder of Step Up Education Centres says “Generation after generation, people have passed on the baton of fear, anxiety and dread when it comes to exams. The stories are familiar to us all:

• You can fail!
• You may ‘go blank’!
• There is just too much work to remember.
• You are writing exams for the first time-good luck with THAT!

The list is frightening and seemingly endless and yet, it does not need to be this at all. Cindy gives these simple tips to consider that will help ensure that the upcoming exams are a healthy and more positive experience for your children.

1. As parents, YOU are your child’s first teacher. You set the tone in your home. Be mindful of not allowing your past fears of exams to influence how you encourage your child now. Embrace exams as an opportunity to learn and grow. Create an atmosphere of excited anticipation, especially if your child will be writing exams for the first time.
   
   
2. Get organised! Have a designated area for your child to study. The study area is a no-go zone for cellphones or any other distractions. Before a study session, decide what needs to be covered and how much time is needed.  Make sure that all stationery, learning materials and an exam pad are available before the study session begins.
   
   
3. Break the exam requirements into bite-size manageable pieces. Tick off completed sections as you go. Celebrate all positive progress.
5. Encourage children to put pencil-to-paper when studying. Learners are seven times more likely to remember new information when they write while studying.
   
   
6. Set realistic, achievable goals. Write down goals and put them up on the wall at study area.
   
   
7. Cover all the ‘easy-mark’ concepts and skills first. Tackle the more challenging one’s later.
   
   
8. Teach your child to do their best. Put in the effort and reap the rewards.8. Manage any fears and anxiety with positive affirmations. Teach your child to believe in his/her ability to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Cindy sums up by saying “As parents, it is your responsibility to set a positive, motivating environment in your home. Steer clear of your own fears and anxieties when it comes to exams. Show a sincere interest in your child’s progress and set an example of positive determination, remembering always that your children are more likely to do what you do, rather than what you say!”

About Step Up

Established in 2016, Step Up Education Centres is a dynamic after-school remediation and tutoring franchise with a difference. Step Up offers children an opportunity to succeed in a schooling system that is, at times, very unsympathetic.  From the moment, a child walks through a Step Up Education Centre door they feel different.  They no longer feel silly or stupid. They no longer feel misunderstood. They no longer feel judged. After just one lesson they feel hope. They see possibility. After a few sessions, they walk taller, feel smarter, do better. Why? Because Step Up believes that every child has potential… and our passionate educators will not give up until they reach it!                                                                                                                                               

Press release disseminated on Behalf of:
Cindy Glass
Director and Co-Founder of Step Up Education Centres

Disseminated by:
Carmen White
Account Manager
Sam Watt Marketing Communications
081 260 4011

Spintelligent, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and other sponsors, is hosting EduWeek Africa in Johannesburg on 15 and 16 June 2018. EduWeek is the largest and most recognised live education event in Sub-Saharan Africa. Here 170 global brands will exhibit their products and services to over 5 500 key decision makers made up of education professionals, government, resellers, distributors, NGO’s, and industry consultants.       

This year, exhibitors and guest speakers will tackle issues and solutions surrounding “Education 4.0 for Industry 4.0”. Content will address how increased automation and data exchange in most industries will put 65% of children entering primary school today in completely new job types that don’t exist yet. The onus now rests on our education system to advance and evolve in order to best empower educators and prepare our students for these new ways of working.      EduWeek Africa visitors can expect a hands-on-experience of education’s latest innovations from a strong line-up of partners which include: Microsoft, Pearson South Africa, Edit Microsystems, Epson, Clevertouch (IAS AV), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Assessment International Education and Vivlia Publishers.    

Some exciting product launches include:

• Edit Microsystems’ eSight glasses, which enables the visually impaired to see
• OverDrive’s professionally narrated audio Read-Along Audio Books, which aid in learning to read
• Retrain’s all-inclusive differentiated-learning-techniques assessment and training instrument that allows educators to tailor their teaching-style to suit their students  

Media are invited to attend the event:

• Date: 15-16 June Venue: Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg
• Register as media: http://www.educationweek.co.za/Registrations/Step2Single/53218?code=media_kim by 15 June.
• Register as a visitor: http://www.educationweek.co.za/Registrations/Step2Single/53218?code=visi_kim by 15 June.

Attendance is free of charge.

Some of the highlights on our discussion panels include: Kenneth Kayser, co-founder and VP of Barclays Rise Open Innovation; Dr John Volmin, chairperson of Umalusi Council; Shaun Swartz, CEO of Strive Software International; Lennox Tempera, training facilitator at Brain boosters; Jeanette Viljoen, professional development manager at Think Ahead Education Solutions and many others.

To request additional information and interviews, please contact Elsa de Witt on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 072 368 0438.

The high cost of living, interest rate hikes and the recent 1% increase in VAT is making the role of ‘stay-at-home mom’ almost redundant. “Mothers staying at home with their children is simply no longer the viable option of years past,” says Tiffiny Thomas from Blue Bird Aupairs.  As a result, parents are left with the critical decision of what to do with their precious assets in the afternoons – do they send them to aftercare or do they get an aupair? 

“There is no black and white when it comes to choosing an after-school solution for your child as things like budget, schedules, ages and personality need to be taken into consideration,” explains Tiffiny. She adds that even once you have made your decision, circumstances may change and you may need to seek the alternative which is why it is important to keep an open mind and make sure that you know what the pros and cons of each option are. 

Aftercare Pros Children get to interact with their friends in an informal surrounding If the aftercare is part of the school, they can take part in extra-mural school sports Food and snacks are generally included in the cost of aftercare If the aftercare is based at their school, your child will not have to travel on the roads without you 

Aftercare cons Very little (or no) supervised homework which then needs to be done in the evenings when your child is tired and less likely to concentrate Aftercare generally does not cover school holidays A full day at school can leave your child irritable and exhausted No personal, hands-on love and care  

Pros of an aupair Your child will get plenty of one-on-one love, care and attention An aupair can do homework with your child and spend extra time of subjects they may battle with, doubling up as a tutor Aupairs can transport your child to and from various after-school activities, which is a great help for parents (and children) with busy or unpredictable schedules and extra-mural activities that are off campus An aupair can double up as a baby sitter during the holidays 

Cons of an aupair It can take time for your child to get to know your aupair Not all aupairs have formal early childhood training You will need to make sure that the fridge is stocked up for afternoon lunches and be prepared to pay for other additional costs like petrol 

“It is important to remember that no two aftercares (or aupairs!) are the same!” says Tiffiny. She adds that you should ask lots of questions for clarity and also make sure that you align your budget in terms of what you are able/willing to spend on a monthly basis for after-school care. “Both options can be affordable, provided you shop around,” she concludes. 

Press release disseminated on behalf of:Blue Bird Aupair Agency

By:Carmen White
Sam Watt Marketing Communications
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Blue Bird
Since inception in 2017 Blue Bird has matching local and international families with responsible, passionate young South Africans! At Blue Bird Aupairs our client’s children are our Number One priority! You see, our ‘Blue Birds’ aren’t just ordinary girls, they are strong, responsible young woman who are passionate about the health, wellbeing and education of our client’s precious gifts. For more information go to: https://bluebirdaupairs.co.za  

Smart devices are a massive part of our children’s lives. They spend much of their time devoted to communicating with their friends and peers through cell phones and social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.

Sadly, the lack of boundaries combined with too much freedom and a dash of ignorance has resulted in children becoming more vulnerable to cyber bullying and cybercrime than ever before. In fact, a study by the World Economic Forum puts South Africa in the list of top 10 countries that are at risk when it comes to children and cybercrime.  It comes as no surprise then that some schools and parents have taken to ban these devices altogether.

On the other hand, there is no denying that smart devices provide a powerful learning platform with a wealth of information available at your fingertips. And then of course there is the comfort that comes with knowing that you can contact (and keep track) of your child, where ever, whenever. “Because it’s not only the cyber criminals that you need to be protecting your child from, it’s the real-life ones too!” says Erika Truscott, Owner and Founder of PingMe.

“Just last month, two incidents of intended abduction of children by strangers from shopping centres in Pretoria East went viral,” she adds.So, what do parents do? Is there a way to protect our children from the dangers that lurk in cyber space whist still reaping the advantages that come with these devices in the real world? Erika believes there is. She offers the following smart device advice to parents:

1. Add social media accounts to your phone: As a rule of thumb, children younger than 13 shouldn’t have social media profiles – they simply don’t possess the skills to discern potential threats. If your older child is on social media, insist that you have their account on your phone so that you have instant access to chats and posts.

2. Check privacy settings: Automatically set all your child’s social media profiles to private, non-negotiable.

3. Download filtering, blocking and information security software: Control unwanted content and apps by investing in software that allows you to selectively filter what your children are exposed to.

4. Watch WhatsApp: Much of the cyber bullying that takes place, happens on WhatsApp. You can use the WhatsApp web/desktop application to track your child’s history and messages.  

5. Get them safety savvy: Teach your child that the ‘Stranger Danger’ rule applies for cyberspace as much as it does for ‘real life’ and remind them not to give out any personal information like phone numbers, home address etc. (even to friends) over social platforms. “It may seem intrusive to have your child’s social media profiles on your phone or to watch their WhatsApp, but as moms and dads, our number one responsibility is to protect and nurture our children. It is integral that all these interventions are not done in isolation of an open and loving conversation with your child. Trust is the basis of every relationship and this is no different,” says Erika.She adds that for parents who are still erring on the side of caution in terms of smart devices that perhaps they should consider a Smart Watch. “That way, the internet is completely restricted BUT you can still contact your child (and they can contact you!) plus you have the added benefit of being able to know where your child is at any given moment.