Would We Give Kids Car Keys Without Rules of the Road?
Children are being handed smartphones at younger and younger ages, often before they have developed a strong sense of self from the inside out. Influencers and algorithms shape their identities while their brains and self-esteem are still forming.
As former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warns, “What’s happening in social media is the equivalent of having children in cars with no safety features and driving on roads with no speed limits, no traffic lights and no rules whatsoever. And we’re telling them: You know what, do your best, figure out how to manage it.”
This warning sits at the heart of Margot Denommé JD’s mission to protect and empower children through prevention and education.
A Journey Rooted in Prevention
More than a decade ago, Denommé began visiting schools across Canada and the United States to speak with children about self-worth, kindness, and the risks of comparing themselves to unrealistic images online.
In 2013, she launched the Celebrate YOU Tour, which became a powerful platform for building confidence and resilience in young people. Through her popular books Mommy, am I pretty? and Awesome Inside + Out! she opened meaningful conversations about inner beauty, character, and authenticity that parents and educators continue to use to nurture healthy self-esteem.
From Courtrooms to Classrooms
Denommé’s perspective is shaped by more than 26 years as a Crown Attorney in Toronto, where she saw the consequences of children entering the digital world without adequate preparation.
She met young people who had been targeted and exploited online, as well as others facing criminal charges for actions, they did not fully understand. These experiences underscored the need for proactive education. When families and schools provide knowledge and structure early, harm can often be prevented.
The Family Smartphone Guide and RAADD
Motivated by this conviction, Denommé created The Family Smartphone Guide, a comprehensive resource that addresses the physical, mental, and legal implications of smartphone use and the real dangers posed by online predators.
The guide is supported by leading experts, including Dr. Michelle Ponti, Chair of the Digital Health Task Force for the Canadian Paediatric Society, and Julianna Greenspan JD, a senior criminal defence lawyer. Their combined medical and legal perspectives strengthen the guide’s role as a trusted family resource.
This work led to Raising Awareness About Digital Dangers, also known as RAADD, a national movement dedicated to protecting children’s mental health and online safety through education and early action. RAADD equips parents, educators, and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to create strong guardrails in today’s digital landscape.
A Curriculum for Schools
Building on the foundation of her books and The Family Smartphone Guide, Denommé has developed a comprehensive curriculum for Grades 3 through 12, designed for school boards across Canada.
The program integrates social emotional learning values with lessons on brain development, media literacy, digital safety, and legal awareness. Each lesson is age-appropriate and experiential, giving students practical tools to navigate online spaces with confidence and critical thinking, while supporting educators with clear, easy-to-use resources.
The curriculum is set to launch soon and has already attracted significant interest from school boards across the country as well as south of the border. This reflects the universal need for structured, prevention-focused digital education.
Prevention Through Education
Denommé’s work represents a shift from reaction to prevention. Instead of waiting for harm to occur, she is building the guardrails children need to move safely through digital spaces. By empowering families, educators, and communities with clear guidelines and practical tools, she is helping create a safer, healthier digital environment for the next generation.
Learn More:
www.celebrateyouinsideout.com
www.raadd.ca
Contact: info@raadd.ca
416-414-2818 | www.raadd.ca | info@raadd.ca