About Me

'Not My Kid'

There was a time when I honestly felt “not my kid”.  

I imagined nothing could happen to my child. But it did, despite my vigilance.

In late 2020, with my daughter's permission, I stepped forward and shared our personal experience of her encounter with a predator via an online game and the devastating effect it had on her.

This experience, in part, led me to where I am today, but not just this experience.

Navigating Parenting Is A Challenge

Navigating parenting during the early years of the smartphone was like walking through the jungle with your eyes closed.

My older son and I went through some tough times, and these too contributed to the foundation of my changed trajectory.

Coupled with this, I have managed my husband’s psychiatric practice for over a decade. During this time, I have noted an alarming deterioration in the mental health of teens today with an undeniable link to social media and gaming.

Fighting Back

When my youngest started primary school in 2019, I started a closed Facebook Group, 'Not My Kid Parent Group'.

I wanted to create a village of like-minded parents and I wanted to help and support those feeling lost. The group offers information and resources and invites members to ask questions and open discussions.

I invited other professionals to join the group, as I honestly feel that no ONE person can ever be an ‘expert’ in the rapidly advancing cyber world.

Subsequently, I founded 'Not My Kid' in 2021.

Getting Certified

My passion and primary focus is the prevention of online child exploitation. In 2020, I commenced a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. I felt this was important, not only to broaden my knowledge, but to develop my critical thinking further.

As well as this, I have trained as an Ambassador for ScreenStrong — supporting families to delay social media and gaming.

In 2024, I had the honour of being nominated as Victims Ambassador for the Youth, Technologies and Virtual Communities Conference on the Gold Coast. I had the privilege of delivering the opening keynote.

In addition, I have completed:

  • - Online Child Sexual Exploitation (2024) — Monique Burr Foundation for Children, United States.
  • - Real World Safety: Protecting Youth Online and Off — Bullying, Cyberbullying and Digital Safety (2024) — Monique Burr Foundation for Children, United States.
  • - Online Safety for Parents (2024) — Child Protection Company, Smart Horizons, United Kingdom.
  • - Certificate in Child Internet Safety (2024) — Oplex Careers, United Kingdom.
  • - Child Internet Safety Certification (2024) — New Skills Academy, United Kingdom.
  • - Child Online Safety Awareness Training (2024), Vital Skills, United Kingdom.
  • - Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Training (2024), Vital Skills, United Kingdom.
  • - Certificate — 8 hour training in Protecting Children in a Digital Age (2024) with National Criminal Justice Training Center, Fox Valley Technical College, United States.
  • - Certificate of Achievement — Keeping Children Safe Online (4.0) (2023) with NSPCC Learning / CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command), United Kingdom.
  • - OSINT 101 Training — Anti-Human Trafficking & Child Exploitation Investigations Virtual Seminar (2023) with the Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative (ATII) and the University of New Haven.
  • - International Gaming Disorder Training (IGDT 2022) with INTENTA
  • - Certificate in Counselling and Psychology (2021) with the Career Academy.
  • - Certificate in Child Psychological Development (2021) with the Career Academy.
  • - Certificate of Achievement — Keeping Children Safe Online (3.0) (2021) with NSPCC Learning / CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command), United Kingdom.
  • - Annual Advanced Certificate in Online Safety for Safeguarding Leads (2020/2021) with National Online Safety, United Kingdom.
  • - Annual Certificate in Online Safety for Non-Teaching Staff (2020/2021) with National Online Safety, United Kingdom.
  • - completed a further 40 CPD (continuing professional development) hours with National Online Safety, United Kingdom.
  • - completed several short training courses (2021) with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, United States.

As a Parent Cyber Safety Consultant/Awareness Advocate...

I draw on my personal experience, work experience, and education to help parents empower themselves with knowledge in order to better protect their children online.

The internet is vast and not age segregated. We all need as much help as we can get. I know how hard it is.

Allow me to help you. Get in touch with me here.

© 2024 not-my-kid