The debate about teenagers and their use of mobile technology has been a key focus in the news this summer, not just in the UK but all over the world. Whichever side of the debate you agree with, most people agree that everyone needs to be mindful of how they use their devices and should learn how to keep themselves safe online.
As the new school year settles in, Snapchat have released some guidelines for parents/carers called their ‘SnapSavvy’ guide which can help start the discussions with your child.
Whatever the platform, there are three key things that all parents/carers can do to support their child with their use of technology:
- Keep the conversation going – make sure you talk to your child about their use of technology, the positives, the negatives and what they are engaging with
- Set boundaries – be clear about good habits using tech, agree some rules about what is allowed and what is not
- Check in regularly – use the online management tools from SnapChat, TikTok, Instagram etc. or install the free parent monitoring app from Qustodio or family settings from Apple or Android. Many accounts are simply not suitable for children, but the platform algorithms push this content to our children
You can find more support at our Trust page with links and ideas.
