About Sarah Jayne

I created The Connected Child for parents navigating children's and adolescents' mental health in a world increasingly shaped by technology, digital culture, and artificial intelligence. Many families are aware that technology is influencing how young people think, feel, learn, and relate — but clear, balanced, and trustworthy guidance can be difficult to find.

My background is in education, and I have spent many years working as an advocate for young people's mental health. My work has focused particularly on children and adolescents who are neurodivergent, and those whose development has been shaped by trauma, abuse, or adversity. I am currently studying family and child psychology, and my writing is informed by contemporary research, evidence-based frameworks, and lived experience.

I am especially interested in how emerging technologies intersect with development, attachment, regulation, identity, and wellbeing. While digital tools and AI offer potential benefits, they also introduce new pressures, ethical questions, and risks — particularly for young people whose nervous systems, social understanding, or sense of self are still developing. This site aims to examine these issues carefully, drawing on psychological research, educational insight, and trauma-aware practice.

I care deeply about wellbeing, connection, and hope. I'm also realistic. While I value many ideas from positive psychology, I don't believe all advice works for all families — especially when children are neurodivergent, traumatised, or navigating complex lives. This space exists to explore both what genuinely helps and where well-meaning approaches can miss the mark.

Alongside my professional work, I am also a parent. That perspective grounds my writing, but protecting my child's privacy is essential. Reflections on parenting are shared thoughtfully and without identifying detail, with a focus on insight rather than personal narrative.

This space is designed to be more than a blog. It is intended as a reliable point of reference for parents — a place to access research-informed discussion, critical analysis of emerging trends, and signposting to trusted, verified sources of support. My aim is to offer clarity without alarm, and depth without exclusion, for families supporting children and adolescents in a rapidly changing digital world.

Mission

To support parents by offering research-informed, trauma-aware, and neurodiversity-affirming perspectives on young people's mental health, while thoughtfully examining the impact of emerging technologies such as AI on children and family life.

This site exists to inform, reflect, and empower — not to prescribe or oversimplify.

Vision

To become the leading trusted authority in the US and UK empowering families to raise mentally resilient, digitally wise children in the age of AI.

What This Space Is (and Isn't)

The Connected Child is not a business, therapy clinic, or medical service. This site is a personal project created to offer clear, evidence-informed support and calm guidance for parents and carers. It is shared as a free resource intended solely to help you foster deeper understanding and connection with your children in today's digital world.