Book Review
A short overview of this book
Elle gets a mobile phone: Cyber safety can be fun by Nina Du Thaler is a book for older children about cybersafety. This book is one of many in a series of short novels from Bright Zebra, with each book focusing on a different aspect of cybersafety. You can find the rest of these books by Nina Du Thaler here.
This book focuses on how to use a phone safely and responsibly.
In this book, Elle is getting a mobile phone for her tenth birthday. She tells her friends her exciting news but each of them talk about problems they had when they were given their mobile phones. Will having a mobile phone be a total disaster or will she be able to learn from their stories and have fun with her new gadget?​
These are a great resource for children who need to learn about staying safe online but find picture books too babyish. They are perfect for reading together and discussing your family rules for online safety.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 8 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Elle gets a mobile phone: Cyber safety can be fun by Nina Du Thaler from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescues. On my YouTube channel, Sex Ed Rescue, I review books that help parents with sex education. And let me tell you, cybersafety is a big part of sex education these days, especially with kids exploring the online world. That’s why I’m excited to talk about this awesome book called Elle gets a mobile phone: Cyber safety can be fun by Nina Du Thaler by Nina Du Thaler.
Now, as kids grow older, they start thinking picture books are too babyish. But here’s the thing: they might not be interested in learning about using a mobile phone safely until it becomes relevant to them, usually when they’re tweens or early teens. That’s when they’re heading to high school or reaching an age where parents can trust them with a phone. But here’s the catch: if they don’t use it safely, they can be at risk. Trust me, I’ve been there. When my daughter started playing an online game called AnimalsJam, she got tricked into giving away her password and lost all her points. It was a real eye-opener for her.
That’s why ongoing conversations about cyber safety are crucial. And that’s where this book comes in. It’s the first in a series, but you don’t have to read them in order. They’re short and sweet, less than 40 pages, and you can even get them as ebooks, which are more affordable. Each book starts with an explanation and introduces the characters, so you get to know them a bit.
In this particular book, we follow Elle, who’s super excited about getting her first phone. She shares the news with her friends, who give her some great advice about using phones responsibly. By the time Elle gets her phone for her birthday, she’s already prepared. She knows to only give her number to people she trusts, not to reply to mean messages, and to be mindful of the cost of calls and texts. There’s even a reminder about taking photos in appropriate places and asking permission before sharing them online.
I really love the messages in this book. As a parent, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the responsibilities and conversations we need to have. That’s why books like this are a lifesaver. They remind us of important topics and make it easier to talk to our kids. I mean, I’m not perfect, and there are things I should be discussing more with my own children. But with this book, I can read it together with them, have meaningful conversations, and hopefully, they’ll be more responsible with their phones.
So, if you’re looking for a resource to help you navigate the world of cybersafety and mobile phones with your kids, check out Diary of Elle Cyber-safety Can Be Fun: Elle Gets A Mobile Phone by Nina Du Thaler. It’s a great tool to keep your kids safe and informed.
Hope that helps! Cheers!
