Everything Counts | Episode 35: Online safety for children

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Are you worried about what your children are doing online or how to handle it if your child is the one causing harm?

In this episode of Everything Counts, host Motheo Khoaripe sits down once again with Emma Sadleir Berkovitz, founder of the Digital Law Company and Africa’s leading expert on social media law and digital risk. Together, they tackle one of the most difficult topics in parenting today: what to do when your child becomes a cyberbully and how to guide them towards responsible, empathetic online behaviour.

From the legal consequences of cyberbullying to the real-world impact of digital actions, this episode explores the cyberspace fallacy and the lasting effects of online harm. You’ll learn how peer-to-peer digital abuse manifests, the dangers of oversharing online and how online anonymity fuels online cruelty, all while discovering tools to help your children develop resilience, empathy and accountability.

Emma also shares insights on digital literacy, the growing movement for a ‘smartphone-free childhood’ and practical strategies for parents to keep children safe online.

If you’re a parent, teacher or caregiver navigating the challenges of raising kids in a connected world, this episode is your roadmap to understanding, prevention and empowerment.

Stay informed, stay intentional and help your children build a healthier relationship with technology, one click at a time.

00:00 Introduction
01:00 How to parent a child that is a cyberbully
02:50 Legal consequences of cyberbullying
04:50 The cyberspace fallacy
07:00 How prevalent is peer-to-peer harm?
11:00 The digital world as an extension of the real world
14:00 The dangers of oversharing online
17:00 Empowering kids with social scripts
17:50 Online anonymity makes cyberbullying worse
19:10 Increase in mental health issues for children
21:00 Smartphone Free Childhood
22:30 Digital literacy starts at a young age
24:30 Parents need to educate children on their online responsibilities
26:30 Tips for parents to keep children safe online
30:00 Conclusion
17 Nov 2025 English South Africa Business · Investing

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