As concerns about children’s screen time rise, a new app called Moxies offers moderated social interactions designed to boost confidence while maintaining safety, reflecting a shift towards more responsible digital engagement for young users.
Parents trying to manage children’s screen time are increasingly being forced to balance safety, social pressure and the realities of everyday life. Juliette Blake, an entrepreneur and mother of 3 young children, says she saw how quickly technology enters family routines once children start school, which helped inspire Moxies, a social platform aimed at tween girls. The app is built around moderated chat, private groups, avatars and confidence-building activities, and its backers say it is designed to give girls a safer first step into social media. Moxies says the platform is research-backed and that 79% of users report improvements in confidence, mood and self-regulation.
Clinical psychologist Jeremy Salzman, founder and clinical director of Intown Psychology, says the question is not whether children will encounter digital tools, but how adults introduce them. “Technology is not going away,” Salzman said. “The task is to introduce it deliberately, teach young people to use it responsibly, and create boundaries before unhealthy patterns become established.” He said parents should look at a child’s maturity rather than rely on a fixed age, noting that children with ADHD, anxiety, autism or other developmental differences may need a different approach.
Salzman also warned that a smartphone is not always the right answer, even when families want a reliable way to reach a child. He said a basic phone or a limited-function watch may be enough for communication without opening the door to unrestricted internet access or social media. For younger children, he recommends shared devices and closely supervised use, while middle school can be a time for basic phones or tightly controlled smartphones with time limits, privacy settings and active parental guidance. By high school, he said, adults should be helping teenagers practise increasingly independent use.
The broader lesson, Salzman said, is that children need both limits and skills. He encourages families to set device-free periods, keep phones out of bedrooms and agree ground rules together, especially at the start of the school year. Parents should also use strong privacy settings, turn off location sharing where possible and discuss topics such as sleep, attention, digital reputation and respectful communication. He said that is especially important as generative AI makes it easier for young people to encounter manipulated content. “The goal is not to raise children who avoid technology; it is to raise children who can use technology without allowing it to control their attention, sleep, relationships, curiosity, judgment, or mental health,” Salzman said.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
