Social media guidance
Using Social Media – guidance for parents.
As more and more young people use popular social networking platforms to share their lives online with family and friends, it’s increasing important for them to understand how to stay safe within those worlds.
To help parents and carers engage with their children on how they use social media and help them to navigate any potential risks, along with the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) we’ve helped to produce an official guide to do just that.
Social networking is hugely popular. Many young people are sophisticated in the way they use social media apps and websites, tailoring their communication for different audiences, and accessing them from a range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and games consoles.
But social media, like all forms of public communication, comes with some risks. Not all of these risks turn into actual problems; and if children never face any risks, they never learn how to deal with them. By helping your child understand what the risks are, you can play a big part in preventing them from turning into problems.
Internet Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that has a simple purpose – to help keep children safe in the digital world. Their website has lots of useful information and advice on how to ensure your child is safe on line and appropriate controls are in place. They also have a practical guide for parents.