Josie Banks

AT Consultant

Our Digital Wellbeing Specialist, Josie is a qualified teacher focusing on additional learning needs, with experience as a tutor in autism specialist provision.

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Recent Posts

10 ways to verify someone online

Do you remember when meeting people online was considered "weird"!? As we all increasingly move towards a more digital life, with online banking, online dating, and online grocery shopping, it's now totally normal to have "online" friends. But if we don't meet them "IRL" (in-real-life), how on earth do we make sure they are who they say they are... Here are 10 ways to verify someone online... Before they become your online BFFL (best friend for life!) 1. Do you know them in real life? Start

Josie Banks

18/09/2025·2 min read

My best friend is a robot: Is an AI companion the future of relationships?

An AI companion is an AI chatbot that can hold conversations, provide support and advice and even pose as your girlfriend, boyfriend or best friend. There are already several AI apps such as Replika, Anima, and Character.AI being used by millions of people. Many of these app's users are under the age of 18. The reasons people are turning to AI for companionship vary greatly. But the question is, is this the future of relationships or a potential problem? So, why are teenagers using AI compani

Josie Banks

15/07/2025·3 min read

Digital activities to help you and your kids avoid getting stuck inside this summer!

We're all guilty of our screen time shooting up during the weekends and school holidays. So often, our children find themselves with nothing else to do but sit on their phones scrolling the summer holidays away. We've come up with a few ways you can incorporate device and internet use into the summer holiday that encourages children to get outdoors, explore their local community, and get creative. 1. Plant and animal ID apps such as Seek or PictureThis can be used to discover wildlife around y

Josie Banks

09/06/2025·2 min read