Friday, 5 February 2021

Mental Health, social media and the internet

As everyone is spending much more time on the internet than usual at the moment, it is important to make sure we all use it safely and in a positive way for our mental health.

YoungMinds have some top tips and advice on how to talk to your child about social media and the internet.

youngminds.org.uk

"From a young age, children have the chance to learn, research, play games, have fun and connect with family who may not live nearby. 

That’s why it’s good to have regular conversations about the internet and social media from a young age – it should be as ordinary as talking about the weather, the dog, or something you’ve watched on TV.

You don’t need to pry or quiz your child about every website they’ve seen, but checking in with them for a minute or two can make a huge difference."

  • Have conversations from a young age
  • Lead by example
  • Ask your child about the apps and websites they use
  • Set boundaries - but be realistic
  • Reassure them that they can always talk to you
  • Talk about personal information
  • Talk about social media
  • Talk about gaming
  • Talk about cyberbullying
  • Act on warning signs

CLICK HERE Social-media-a-guide-for-parents