Yesterday was #YouthMentalHealthDay with a theme of #ControlYourScroll. The fast paced digital world is indeed exciting, opening up so much opportunity. We all feel the pressure to keep up or risk being left behind. However, the speed of change also brings risk and this includes some negative impact on our children.
Having a 13 year old daughter, I'm just one of many parents that worries about the impact social media is having on my childs wellbeing. I set usage limits, apply parental controls, have honest conversations about risk etc, but still I've wiped her tears when it's all gone wrong.
I have many conversations with parents and carers that continue to deal with the negative impact despite their best efforts to protect their children. The levels of harm can be alarming.
Many apps are designed with secrecy. Disappearing messages, hidden profiles, fake accounts. Don't get me going on some influencers shaping how our kids should think, feel, act and look.
The Government and developers need to do so much more to safeguard our children and to support parents in doing so. Some good news on the Online Safety Bill - hope this will drive the right change.
Here at Harworth Group plc , we invited NSPCC to deliver a Online Safety Worksop to support colleagues in keeping children safe online. I cannot recommend NSPCC enough in terms of all the resources and support they have to give. A big THANKYOU from me professionally and personally.
https://lnkd.in/eT35J-GK
#parents
#carers
#wellbeing
#NationalInclusionWeek