Youth Mental Health Day: help your child be more in control of their online lives

Today is Youth Mental Health Day, a reminder to check on your kid's mental health. This year, the theme is 'Control Your Scroll'- encouraging kids to be mindful of their phone and computer usage and take care of their mental health. 

How can being online affect mental health and wellbeing?

Research shows that 93% of young people have seen something online that has scared them. In addition, many reported being concerned about scams, bullying and sexual images. 

How does social media affect mental health?

Social media can provide different challenges. Constant images of 'perfection' can create feelings of inadequacy in impressionable teens, and encourage low self-esteem.

Talk about how certain content makes your child feel

It can be difficult to ignore peer pressure and put themselves first, but if certain types of content make your child uncomfortable or unhappy then they have the prerogative to change it. 

Empower them to remember that THEY are in control

It can feel like the compulsion to scroll endlessly is a powerful pull, but it's important to teach kids that they have the power to shut off. Online life isn't real life, and it's important to recognise that real life is separate and important. Social media or online games can be fun, but encourage boundaries on their use and time-limits. 

Teach them that much of what they see on social media is fake 

It may seem that influencers have it all, but everything shown in social is done so by design. Brand pay for exposure, many of the products shown are given to them for free, and content creators will only ever show the best of themselves. Just as they utilise flattering lighting and filters to make them look as attractive as possible, they also only ever show themselves in certain, positive ways. Everything is carefully crafted to create a certain image, and it's important to have those discussions with children from the beginning of their exposure to those influences. 

Nudge the algorithm to offer positive content

If endless content showing ways to lose weight makes your child feel bad, encourage them to change what is shown to them by social media algorithms by engaging with some positive content. Do funny puppy videos make them smile? 'Like' and watch more and more puppy content will be offered. It's possible to create a heart-warming social media experience just by bending the algorithm to reflect what makes them happy- rather than feel bad. 

Online safety for kids

Making sure your child is safe online might feel like an impossible task. There are, however, steps you can take to increase their safety. 

Set rules

Create boundaries for how much screen time your child is allowed, and what they are allowed to look at/ access online. Keep the password to download new apps secret so that they must ask permission before downloading- that way you have some control over what they use. 

Check privacy settings and parental controls 

You can either download a parental control app, or look at the settings on the apps they use and tailor them to be safe. You can turn off messaging from others on many games and apps- it's wise to do so to keep your child safe. 

Stick to the age guidance for apps and social media

Find out the age restrictions for apps and stick to the guidance. It's worth remembering also that the minimum age for using an app isn't when kids have to have it- if you feel you'd rather your child waited longer or would be best off without TikTok for the moment, leave it until they are older. 

Discuss the importance of not talking to strangers online

How can you make sure your child is aware that they need to keep safe online without worrying them? One way is to explain that in the same way as your child wouldn't start chatting to a stranger in the park, they shouldn't start messaging someone online that they don't know. Make sure your child knows that if someone does start chatting to them online that they should let you know- even if the person seems friendly. 

Dealing with online bullying

Unfortunately, bullying is no longer limited to the playground and can even take through messaging and social media. If this should occur, keep screenshots or copies of whatever is said and ask for a meeting with your child's school. Online bullying by classmates is still a school matter. 

Controlling what children are exposed to

It can be very tricky to ensure that kids are not sent videos, images or nasty messages from others- in fact, you cannot control it. However, by creating a culture of open conversations in your household and encouraging your child to share their worries or concerns, you can mitigate the effects of any negative experiences by talking it through. Be sure to communicate that they can talk to you about anything upsetting they may have seen, and that they needn't feel ashamed. 

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