Minister for Education launches Harold’s Safe Screen Time
Wednesday, 25 Feb 2026
The Federal Minister for Education, the Hon. Jason Clare MP joined Healthy Harold and the Life Ed team at Bright Gems Chester Hill to launch a new module for the early years, Harold’s Safe Screen Time.
According to the eSafety Commission, many toddlers can swipe on devices before they can even speak, and 81 per cent of Australian parents report that their 2 to 5-year-old uses the internet.
This is confronting, but not a surprise when we look at the world that our children are growing up in. It’s more complex, more connected. We need to meet them where they are and support them with our most powerful tool; education.
This is confronting, but not a surprise when we look at the world that our children are growing up in. It’s more complex, more connected. We need to meet them where they are and support them with our most powerful tool; education.
This is the purpose of Harold’s Safe Screen Time. It aims to initiate important conversations about online safety with our littlest learners. It addresses critical topics with children aged three to five, such as: early warning signs when something feels unsafe, help-seeking behaviours, screen time management, autonomy and consent.
It’s more important than ever that we teach children how to stay safe online. I’ve got two little guys at home. I see how important this work is every single day.
I want to thank Healthy Harold and Life Ed for everything they are doing to help set our littlest learners up for life.
I want to thank Healthy Harold and Life Ed for everything they are doing to help set our littlest learners up for life.
Like all of Life Ed’s early years modules, Harold’s Safe Screen Time is presented in an age-appropriate way. It uses the power of storytelling, through a specially crafted Healthy Harold Big Book, to explore basic concepts and encourage discussions that spark curiosity, joy and a love for learning.
“We all have a responsibility to work together to keep children safe and to prepare them for the world – online and in real-time,” continued Ms Robertson.
“That’s why all of Life Ed’s modules, including Harold’s Safe Screen Time, are accompanied by accessible pre and post visit resources so teachers and parents can continue the conversation in and beyond the classroom. This is how we build digital and health literacy – together – and this is the key to health prevention.”
