Protecting your child online
Kids aren't just using technology-they're living in it.
Kids today are spending more and more time playing and socialising online. The neighbourhood playground has become digital, and that's where our children are growing up.
Why we created Joey
A father's mission to protect children in the digital age
As a father of a then-12-year-old and the CEO of an analytics company, I was deeply concerned that the platforms our kids are playing on do nothing to protect them. I knew I needed to do something to help parents and kids navigate the online world safely.
To ensure the perspectives of both adults and children were considered, I joined forces with my son Francis to create Joey together. Francis has since become a young author, writing insightful articles about digital safety from a kid's perspective.
When kids are online, parents often have questions about their children's friendships, what platforms they are on and if they are safe, who they are talking to and if they are being respectful.
- Grant Callaghan, CEO & Founder
Go deeper
Related articles
Stories and playbooks that explain the why behind Joey.
As a parent, why I created this app, Joey
When my son entered Year 6, I had nagging questions about friends, phones, and what really happens online. This is the backstory of why we started building Joey-and the three facts that shaped it.
Are you the type of parent we built Joey for?
We built Joey for parents that are worried about the dangers their children will face with their first iPhone.
How to keep your child safe on an iPhone: The Layered Approach we use in Our Family.
Step-by-step guidance for configuring iPhone safety settings, coaching your child, and layering Joey monitoring to keep their digital life balanced.
The Problem
No protection exists for children in the digital world
The digital playground
Friendships, games, and social life now live online - but safeguards haven't kept up. Parents still need a way to know when to step in.
No built-in protection
There's no "anti-virus" for social media. Platforms don't meaningfully protect kids from harassment, scams, or unsafe contact.
Real risks
More than 20% of kids report being approached by strangers online. Parents need signal - not full surveillance - to respond early.
Respect and autonomy
Any solution must protect kids without reading every message. Dignity and privacy matter as much as safety.
The Solution
A safe but private solution that works for both parent and child
Signals, not surveillance
Joey detects risk patterns like bullying, unknown contacts, and sharing personal info - surfacing what matters without exposing every chat.
Built by a father and son
Grant's analytics expertise meets Francis's lived experience growing up online. The result is protection that respects kids.
Private by default
We surface alerts, not full transcripts. Parents get just enough context to help - nothing more.
Confidence to grant freedom
A lightweight safety net that helps parents allow more independence while staying informed.
Ethical design for privacy
Built on trust and transparency - safety without compromise or intrusion
Joey is designed from the ground up to protect children while respecting their dignity and autonomy. We keep families informed through clear, actionable insights - not surveillance. Our approach is consent-led, transparent, and focused on what matters: surfacing real risks so parents can step in early, without intruding on every conversation.
"The collaboration between Grant and Francis represents something unprecedented in digital safety: a true partnership between parent and child perspectives.'"
"Growing up online, I wanted to help create something that keeps us safe without making us feel like we're being watched all the time.'"
consent-led by design
Clear family agreements and transparent monitoring. Kids know what's being checked and why.
Privacy''preserving
We surface safety signals, not private conversations - with minimal data retained.
What Smart Alerts look for
Bullying and harassment, stranger contact, sharing personal info, money/gift requests, and other safety concerns.
Learn more
How to balance protection and privacy as kids grow more independent.
Watch how Joey works (40 seconds)
Download Joey Desktop, connect your child's phone, and run a sync - see it in action.
Meet Our Founders
A unique father-son partnership creating safer digital experiences for families
Grant Callaghan
CEO & Founder
Analytics expert and concerned father who recognized the urgent need for digital safety solutions. Grant combines his professional expertise with his parental perspective to create technology that truly serves families.
Francis Callaghan
Co-Founder & Young Author
Digital native and young thought leader who brings authentic youth perspective to digital safety. Francis authors insightful articles and ensures Joey's solutions work for the people who need them most.