Had a hand in helpsies?

Stand in lines. No, I don't mean line.

Of course, when it comes to handball, everyone knows ace, king, queen and dunce.

However, ACDC meant something different to when I was growing up.

Now it's some kind of low-lying, sneaky shot to catch your competitor out, even if they happen to be your mother.

My eight-year-old can't get enough of the handball caper at the moment.

She recruited her dad and I to challenge her to 150 rounds after work on Friday night. Then a further 200 rounds on Saturday afternoon with my husband only and then a full hour of play after breakfast on Sunday with myself and our gracious brunch guest.

"When I invited you over for Nord pastries and coffee for breakfast, I forgot to throw in the handball bit too!"

I liked handball at school.

It was one of the few games that involved everybody, regardless of gender.

I didn't even mind getting out frequently; I liked the banter on the sidelines. It was quality chat. I could focus on the talk without having to worry about an incoming ACDC any time soon.

In between my daughter outlining rules for the evolved game of handball, she did talk to us about all sorts of other stuff.

She was excited her friend was moving into a new house.

She was excited her friend was getting a new puppy.

She really hoped her friend's new puppy would be as lovely has her old dog, our 15-year-old labradoodle.

It was the kind of chat you don't really get when she's immersed in YouTube craft tutorials.

Good Weekend delved into this space on Saturday.

It reported that fears over the side-effects of digital devices and social media are prompting technology experts to limit the time both they and their children spend online.

Australia's most decorated technologist, Michelle Simmons, doesn't let her three children, aged 11, 14 and 15, have access to smartphones and social media in their home.

She wants to preserve their childhoods, spare them addiction to devices and encourage them to be more productive with their time.

It's hard to argue with that.

Our children don't have operational smartphones but they do have access to iPads and computers.

Our eldest has a private Instagram account, linked to my smartphone, meaning there are no secrets between us.

If she has made a spelling mistake or a badly cropped a photo, she'll hear about that too. The joys of living with two journalists for parents! I don't mind her using the platform to finesse her caption writing and photography skills but I'd be worried if it was the first thing she wanted to do when she woke up in the morning.

Good Weekend reported that parents and educators wanted to equip children with the skills they would need to flourish in a future world and economy that will look markedly different to today. But equally, they wanted to protect them from the dangers of internet-connected technology – dangers we're only just beginning to appreciate.

The NSW government banned smartphones in primary schools this year. High schools have a different take on it. However, all teachers and experts are worried the all-pervasive devices are leading to lower concentration, higher stress levels and warped views on reality.

It's an equation we're all grappling with.

Children learn what's socially acceptable from their own parents' online habits.

If mum or dad or aunt are chained to WhatsApp or checking their phones religiously for updates, this sets a household normal that becomes hard to rein in.

I love Instagram and Pinterest as much as the next foodie, but I don't want to be a slave to it either.

Besides, I'm a bit caught up with handball these days … until the next big thing.

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