From our Counsellors

Helping young people navigate social media  

Social media plays a significant role in today’s society, offering numerous opportunities for connection, learning, and personal growth. While it provides many benefits, it’s also important to be aware of and manage the challenges that come with it. Research highlights that girls in particular may experience unique pressures relating to self-esteem, body image, and mental health. By recognising these challenges, we can better support young people to use social media in a way that fosters their wellbeing and resilience.  

Understanding the potential risks is crucial because social media is designed to keep us scrolling, which encourages passive consumption rather than active, intentional use. This is particularly important when it comes to young people, since their rational brains are still developing, and they are more driven by their emotional brains. Consequently, children and teenagers are at a higher risk of experiencing negative impacts. Parents and caregivers, therefore, have a vital role in helping young people develop awareness and tools needed to navigate social media mindfully and positively, ensuring that it remains a source of growth rather than a detriment to their wellbeing.   

Parents and caregivers can support young people with social media in a variety of ways: 

• Education (for you and them) – learn about the apps your children use, the algorithms these apps use, and the system of social media generally 
• Communication – encourage and foster open discussions, aim for curiosity rather than frustration or disinterest  
• Boundaries and collaboration – young people need boundaries to feel safe, and we can work with them to establish these  
• Modelling – the way adults use and talk about social media impacts what kind of attitude and mindset children/teens develop around it 
• Encouraging offline activities – fun and enjoyable time doing things they enjoy and connecting with family and friends  
• The resources below provide valuable further information, strategies, and resources to support parents and caregivers to address this important topic with their children/teens.  

Further resources: 

• eSafety Commissioner – eSafety parents: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents 
• Online safety book: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources/online-safety-book   
• Unicef Australia – how to help your teen navigate social media: https://tinyurl.com/bddk8n3y   
• Keeping teens safe on social media: what parents should know to protect their kids https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-parent-tips   
• ReachOut Parents – Teenagers and social media: https://tinyurl.com/d3eurjyr   
• Video: before your kids use social media watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zQFd3lkn4E  

Edith Benardeau-Short

Psychologist

Charlotte Edmonds

Counsellor