Over the past year, funding from Autotrader has allowed Starting Point to work with young people to find out their opinions around technology use and the rules surrounding it, as well as support parents with digital skills and the cost of being online. Our popular grandparents’ sessions helped people to understand what their grandchildren might be accessing online, and the hidden harms in popular apps. Although we have come to the end of this particular project, we know how important this work is and want to continue the conversation. 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting a series of relaxed toddler tech sessions, bringing together local parents, babies, and young children to explore how technology fits into everyday family life. These sessions weren’t about strict rules or screen-time guilt—they were about conversation, curiosity, and support.

A Space to Share Real Experiences

Each session created a welcoming environment where parents could chat openly about how tech shows up in their homes. For some, with very young babies, online safety and screen time hadn’t yet become a pressing concern. There was a sense of “we’ve got time to think about that later.”

For others with older children, the conversation looked quite different. They shared real challenges—managing screen time boundaries, navigating streaming platforms, and keeping up with how quickly children engage with devices and the online world.

What became clear is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Every family is navigating this in their own way, and those shared conversations were invaluable.

Digital Playground 

Alongside traditional toys and books, we offered age-appropriate tech for toddlers to explore. We introduced simple, engaging tools like:

• Printable digital cameras
• Voice recorders
• Drawing pads

These activities sparked curiosity and creativity, showing that technology can be interactive, playful, and developmentally appropriate when used thoughtfully. We think we might have some budding photographers on our hands! 

Access to information 

A key part of the sessions was offering practical support. We had conversations around online harms children might be exposed to, child profiles and settings on popular streaming apps, and using Apple and Google parental controls. Parents could then take away our quick guides to refer to at home. 

Exploring New Tech Together

Many parents were also curious about newer technology designed for children—like smart speakers and tablets. These sessions offered a chance to ask questions, see how things work, and think about whether these tools might have a place in their home.

For some, it was their first time considering these devices in a child-focused way.

Looking Ahead

What we’ve loved most is seeing connections form—parents sharing ideas, reassuring each other, and realising they’re not alone in figuring all this out.

That’s exactly what we want to build: a space where people can come together, have honest conversations, and navigate the challenges of raising children in a digital world—together.

We’re excited to keep this going.

Watch this space for a baby and toddler group coming soon!