Counsellor's Corner

Teaching children about responsible online behaviour, especially when it comes to sharing images, is crucial in today's digital age, particularly when sexting has become ‘currency’ in many teenage relationships. 

Here are some tips for kids to consider before sharing images online:

1. Think Before You Post: Encourage children to pause and think carefully before sharing any images online. Remind them that once a photo is posted online, it can be difficult to remove and may be accessible to a wide audience.
2. Consider the Consequences: Discuss the potential consequences of sharing images online, including how it may impact their reputation, relationships, and future opportunities. Encourage children to consider whether they would be comfortable with their parents, teachers, or future employers seeing the image.
3. Respect Privacy: Teach children to respect the privacy of themselves and others when sharing images online. Remind them to obtain permission before posting photos of friends or family members and to consider how their actions may affect others' feelings and privacy.
4. Avoid Revealing Personal Information: Caution children against sharing images that contain personal information, such as their full name, address, school, or phone number. Encourage them to review each photo carefully to ensure it does not reveal any sensitive information.
5. Use Privacy Settings: Familiarize children with privacy settings on social media platforms and encourage them to adjust their privacy settings to control who can view their images. Remind them to regularly review and update their privacy settings as needed.
6. Be Selective: Encourage children to be selective about the images they choose to share online. Remind them that not every moment needs to be documented and shared, and that it's okay to keep some memories private.\
7. Be Mindful of Location Data: Teach children about the risks of sharing images that contain location data, such as geotags or landmarks. Remind them to disable location services when taking and sharing photos to protect their privacy and safety.
8. Report Inappropriate Content: Encourage children to report any inappropriate or harmful images they encounter online to a trusted adult or the platform's moderation team. Teach them how to recognize warning signs of cyberbullying, harassment, or inappropriate content.
9. Think Long-Term: Help children understand that what they share online can have long-term implications. Encourage them to consider how their online presence may be perceived by others, both now and in the future.
10. Talk Openly: Foster open communication with children about their online experiences and encourage them to come to you with any questions, concerns, or incidents they encounter. Create a supportive environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online activities without fear of judgment or punishment.

By following these tips and practicing responsible online behaviour, children can learn to navigate the digital world safely and respectfully, while protecting their privacy and well-being.

Unplugged: The Case for Limiting Screen Time and Social Media for High School Students

In today's digital age, high school students are more connected than ever before, thanks to the pervasive presence of smartphones, tablets, and social media platforms. While technology offers many benefits, excessive screen time and social media use can have detrimental effects on teenagers' physical, emotional, and social well-being. As parents, it's essential to understand the importance of setting limits and promoting a healthy balance between screen time and real-world experiences for our adolescents.

The Impact of Screen Time on Teenagers

Research has shown that excessive screen time can have a range of negative effects on teenagers' health and development. Prolonged exposure to screens is associated with decreased physical activity levels, poor sleep quality, and increased risk of obesity. Additionally, excessive screen time can negatively impact teenagers' mental health, leading to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Social Media and Teenagers' Mental Health

Social media platforms, while designed to facilitate connection and communication, can also contribute to feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and low self-esteem among teenagers. The constant exposure to curated images and idealized lifestyles can distort teenagers' perceptions of reality, leading to unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy. Moreover, the addictive nature of social media can detract from real-world interactions and hinder teenagers' ability to develop meaningful relationships offline.

Benefits of Limiting Screen Time and Social Media

Setting limits on screen time and social media use can have numerous benefits for high school students' overall well-being. By reducing screen time, teenagers have more opportunities to engage in physical activity, pursue hobbies and interests, and develop healthy sleep habits. Limiting social media use can also alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety, allowing teenagers to focus on cultivating authentic relationships and nurturing their mental health.

Promoting Healthy Habits

As parents, it's important to establish clear guidelines and boundaries around screen time and social media use. Encourage open communication with your teenager about the importance of balancing technology with real-world experiences. Set a positive example by modelling healthy screen habits and prioritizing quality time together as a family ie all screens and phones away including parents from 7pm-7am. Encourage your teenager to engage in offline activities that promote creativity, critical thinking, and social interaction, such as sports, arts, and community service.

Supporting Your Teenager

If your teenager is resistant to limiting screen time or reducing social media use, approach the conversation with empathy and understanding. Listen to their concerns and fears about disconnecting from technology and work together to find compromises that meet both their needs and your family's values. Seek support from school counsellors, mental health professionals, or support groups if you have concerns about your teenager's screen time habits or mental health.

Conclusion

In today's digital world, it's more important than ever for parents to prioritize the well-being of their high school students by promoting healthy screen habits and limiting social media use. By setting clear boundaries, fostering open communication, and supporting offline activities, parents can help teenagers develop a healthy relationship with technology and navigate adolescence with confidence and resilience.

Remember, it's not about completely eliminating screen time or social media use, but rather finding a balance that allows teenagers to thrive both online and offline. Together, let's empower our high school students to unplug, connect with the world around them, and embrace the richness of life beyond the screen.

For more information about young people's mental health online, visit Black Dog Institute's page for parents here.

If you need any help during these holidays, please don't hesitate to reach out. There are so many amazing organisations here to help you.

 - headspace.org.au

 - LifeLine: 13 11 14

 - KidsHelpLine: 1800 55 1800