It is important to strive for the right balance between work, rest and play for adults and children alike. We all know how important our screens have become, not just as a tool for work, but for relaxation and connection too, particularly when our social interactions have been restricted for so long.
The following websites offer some excellent guidance about life online, gaming, apps and social networks.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Understanding online safety is tricky for all ages. NSPCC have advice to help you learn about staying safe online as a family. NSPCC shares information on the most popular apps, games and social media platforms that children use, providing useful information and advice for parents on how appropriate they are and any potential risks to be aware of.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/a-z-guide/social-media/
This clear, detailed guidance from young people’s mental health charity YoungMinds shares tips and advice for parents if you are concerned about your child’s use of social media.
There are 10 tips in total, each with a detailed explanation. They cover topics like: setting boundaries, leading by example, talking about sharing personal information, gaming and cyberbullying.
The guidance offers clear safeguarding protocols and promotes appropriate guideline and boundaries for parents to implement. It offers consistent and comprehensive guidance on blocking or reporting inappropriate online activity.
https://www.childnet.com/resources/lets-talk-about-life-online/
Advice and conversation starters for parents to help them keep their child safe online.This leaflet includes practical advice and guidance to help parents discuss the online world with their child. It includes simple conversation starter suggestions for parents, as well as advice on tackling difficult topics that may come up, and 10 key messages to communicate.
“As a parent or carer, the best tool to support your child in leading a happy and safe life online is open conversation.”
Mentally healthy schools have some excellent resources and activities that you can do with your children over the holidays to address the issue of online safety at home, including talking to your child about online safety, online wellbeing and setting up parental controls.
There are a series of simple 15 minute activities for 5-7 year olds and 8-10 year olds that parents and carers can use with children to encourage awareness about various digital safety issues.
Thinkuknow have produced activities and worksheets, each corresponding to a video or story focusing on a different issue within online safety, including sharing pictures and content online, being kind online, messaging online, gaming and cyberbullying.
Each activity sheet introduces a topic, sometimes related to an animation or story, and provides age-specific questions and activities about a certain issue. These activities are designed to give children a healthy understanding about online dangers and how to safely, and positively, use the internet.
Please note that this resource mentions sharing children’s drawings on social media sites – for safeguarding reasons we’d recommend following Thinkuknow’s advice to not share images, or names, of children when doing so.
