Each day 200,000 children go online for the first time. The Internet has become an unstoppable presence in children’s lives, transforming the way that they learn, interact and access entertainment and games. But is it good for their health and wellbeing?

There is growing evidence that children are healthier, happier and smarter when parents and caregivers limit the amount of screen time that they are exposed to in early childhood and delay giving children their first device until they have demonstrated the life skills to manage their online access safely and responsibly.  A research review published in 2023 by the National Library of Medicine concluded that early screen exposure is “associated with lower cognitive abilities and academic performance in later years”. Research released in May 2023 by Sapien Lab shows that young adults who received their first smartphone or tablet in their teen years have significantly greater wellbeing than those who were given their own device in early childhood. Those who got their first phone at a younger age were more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, feelings of aggression towards others and a sense of being detached from reality. These trends were stronger in females than males and consistent across all regions of the world.

Power of Zero is bringing together NGOs around the world to launch a parent-facing ‘First Device’ campaign for Safer Internet Day 2024. The campaign aims to educate families about the milestone moment when they introduce their child to their first device. Using animated videos and a digital parenting toolkit, the campaign sparks open communication about online safety and using technology responsibly, and empowers parents to instill good cyber habits and values of respect and kindness from the moment they introduce their children to their first phone or tablet.  The Heroes of Zero is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Filipino and has been adapted for Singapore, with a family toolkit available to download from our campaign page.

We are building the campaign around a new framework that we are calling SLOW.

  • Safety first. Prioritise safety by setting up parental controls and discussing online risks
  • Life skills. Ensure your child is developing skills of resilience, critical thinking and kindness before they start online
  • Open dialogue. Encourage your child to tell you if anything they see online makes them feel uncomfortable
  • Watch together. Stay engaged in your child’s online life as their ‘cyber coach’ by co-watching, co-playing, co-celebrating online discoveries together.

First Device extends the philosophy of slow tech into digital parenting. It encourages parents to model slow tech in their own lives and how they relate to their devices. That is the best way to help children learn healthy cyber habits from the start.

NGOs participating in the campaign include ConnectSafely (United States), Glasswing International (El Salvador), Red Papaz (Colombia), Abrace Programas Preventivos (Brazil), Chicos.net (Argentina), Generacion Tec (Peru), Gurises Unidos (Uruguay), Touch Community Services (Singapore) and the Philippine Mental Health Association (Philippines). The First Device Campaign is led by Power of Zero  and launches on February 6, 2024.