Safeguarding
Screentime
Screentime is classed as any time spent in front of a screen, so it includes everything from watching TV to completing homework on a laptop. Whilst there is no recommended screentime (except for under two, which is zero), it is important that we find a balance.
Screentime can obviously be beneficial, both for educational and entertainment purposes. However, it is important to be aware of the risks, such as:
• Eye strain.
• Disrupted sleep.
• Less time for other activities and being outdoors.
• Affects our attention span.
Social Media Concerns
Most social media apps have a minimum age rating of 13+.
Whilst there are benefits, this article discusses some of the potential risks of using social media.
Risks of Social Media
• Inappropriate content – social media may expose children to content that is not appropriate for their age, including sexually explicit content or content that promotes harmful behaviours such as self-harm.
• Cyberbullying – this can take many forms, including sending nasty or hurtful messages, leaving unkind comments, sharing photographs of somebody else without their permission or impersonating somebody with a fake account.
• Excessive Screentime/Addiction – too much time online can affect mental health and disrupt sleep patterns.
• Contact from strangers – there is a risk of stranger contact, which can lead to an increased risk of grooming.
• Challenges - children may not have developed the skills and ability to critically analyse what they see online. Whilst some challenges are fun and provide no risk, there will be challenges online that are risky/dangerous.
• Sharing too much information – children may share personal information, e.g. their phone number, school name or inappropriate photos of themselves.
• Algorithms – algorithms influence what we see on social media platforms to keep us engaged on the platform. This can lead to ‘echo chambers’ where users are only seeing content that relates to their opinion, rather than seeing a balanced viewpoint. It can also lead to a user being exposed to large amounts of content about one topic/theme, which may not be helpful if it is negative.
How can I help make it a safer environment?
• Check the age rating of each app and restrict access until they reach that age.
• Set up age-appropriate parental controls; For example, set content restrictions and screentime limits.
• Chat to your child about what they are doing online, including who they are following and interacting with online.
• Restrict devices in their bedrooms.
• Show your child how to use any reporting and blocking tools.
For further information:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/social-media-smarts.html
Vodafone: The Rise of the Aggro-rithm
Vodafone released a short video last year, titled ‘The Rise of the Aggro-rithm’. It highlights the harmful algorithms targeting young boys. It’s certainly worth a watch as well as learning about the terrifying statistics accompanying it:
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/ai-aggro-rithms/
3 things to consider before giving your child a smartphone
Wayne Denner has published a blog discussing the three things that parents wished they had considered before giving their child a phone.
You can read the article here:
https://www.waynedenner.com/3-things-parents-wish-they-had-considered-before-giving-their-teen-a-smartphone/
