Photo by Simeon Frank on Unsplash
Do you fear AI? Did you know there are five stages of online grooming? Our Parent Hub workshop in May run by online safety expert Jessica Chalmers (@the_socialjess) looked at the topic of digital resilience in teens. Here we highlight the key themes of the session and provide resources to help you and your family navigate the digital world.
Be sure to check out Jess’ Instagram page and website for more information and to hear about all the great work she is doing to help young people.
Screentime
It’s easy to assume that any amount of screentime consumption is a bad thing, but that’s not always the case. Screentime could involve reading, music, games, research, social media, or various channels of communication. Studies have shown that 1–2 hours of screentime per day can benefit one’s social and emotional wellbeing, so it’s important to manage our screentime effectively and practise good digital habits. Here are some tips on how to do this:
- Turn off notifications on some or all apps
- Use your phone as a tool rather than a distraction
- Encourage no phones in the bedroom overnight
- Be open with your teen about what you are using your phone for
- Ask teens what they think about your phone use
Sexting
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Sexting has become a common occurrence amongst young people, with many teens either asking for explicit content, being sent explicit photos or videos, or having their own photos or videos shared without consent. This typically involves a lot of pressure and could result in some nasty situations, such as sextortion. Here are some things you can do to help your teen if you suspect they are taking part in any form of sexting:
- Encourage them to never ask for or send explicit photos or videos
- Explain that it is illegal in the UK to make, distribute, possess or show any indecent photos of anyone under the age of 18, even if it was created with consent
- Inform them that once a photo or video is sent, you no longer have control over what happens to the content or who might see it
- Tell them the potential punishments of participating in sexting underage, eg fines, prison time, or being put on the sex offenders register
Online grooming
Unfortunately, social media comes with many risks for young people, and online grooming is one of them. Help protect your teen from online grooming by explaining what grooming means, using privacy tools on apps, encouraging conversation about what they’re up to online, and showing them how to block and report accounts. Predators typically go through the following five stages of grooming:
- The child is targeted by a groomer using online research and social media
- The groomer gains the child’s trust by interacting and building a rapport
- The groomer carries out a risk assessment, eg checking if the child’s device is shared
- The groomer isolates the child so they ignore friends and family
- The groomer controls the relationship by continuing to manipulate the child
If you need to report grooming, please contact the Child Exploitation Online Protection or Childline.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash
Artificial intelligence is ready to disrupt the world in many ways, and you or your teen may have some concerns about the true impact it has on our wellbeing. Many teens are already using AI as a tool to help them with homework, however studies have shown that teens and parents are evenly matched in their awareness of generative AI technology. Here are some suggestions on how you can provide a positive AI experience for your teen:
- Encourage your teen to think critically
- Discuss AI openly as a family
- Explore AI together, eg bedtime stories or wellbeing advice
- Support AI use in homework by using it to clarify questions or find resources
Parental controls
Check out the InternetMatters.org website for information, advice, an online safety checklist, and step-by-step instructions on how to set up the following parental controls:
