Connected @ St Helena
Unmasking Online Bias in Social Media
In the digital age, social media plays a considerable role in helping to shape our thoughts and values. When significant world events occur, and we feel distressed and overwhelmed by what we see on our screens, it can confirm or challenge us to review some of our deepest-held beliefs; however, we must also acknowledge the role it plays in influencing our thinking through the never-ending scroll of our day-to-day feeds.
As a parent, it's important to remember that your teen may need help and guidance when navigating the intricate world of curated content on their social platforms so they can better understand the influence technology has in shaping their perspectives.
The social media echo chamber
Risk
Algorithms – the influencers of the online world – maximise our engagement on social media platforms by curating our feeds based on what we search for, ‘like’, engage with, and create to show us more of what we want to see. However, when young people only consume content within their comfort zone, they can become trapped in an echo chamber, shutting themselves off from alternative opinions and ideas and making it challenging to accept differing viewpoints.
Without exposure to other perspectives, they can experience confirmation bias, solidifying their thoughts and opinions on certain topics rather than challenging them to think critically and ultimately paving the way for compassion and understanding of different viewpoints.
Solution
Encourage your teen to diversify their online experiences by following accounts and engaging with content that challenges their beliefs. This exposure to different perspectives is crucial for critical thinking, empathy, and a broader understanding of the world.
Misinformation and disinformation
Risk
Media content consumption for news and information relies on independence, balance, trust, and transparency; however, in today's digital age, much of the content online is user-generated, making it difficult to verify the sources of the media we consume.
The spread of misinformation and disinformation has become a pervasive issue. Sensationalism driven by emotions like anger and fear often leads to the circulation of biassed information, and these concepts can have far-reaching consequences, from influencing public opinion and electoral outcomes to sowing discord and undermining trust in traditional media.
Solution
Combating misinformation and disinformation is crucial for maintaining a well-informed and democratic society. Teach your teen the importance of fact-checking and critical thinking, and encourage them to question the credibility of the sources they encounter online. Helping them develop these skills will enable them to discern between reliable and questionable information and reduce the risk of falling into the fake news trap.
Minority misrepresentation
Risk
Young people frequently encounter one-dimensional content online, and their continual exposure to negative representations of minorities in the media can shape their attitudes and behaviours towards these groups, influencing their long-term opinion on who they are and what they represent, perpetuating stereotypes, and contributing to prejudice.
Solution
Studies have shown that real-life interactions with members of minority groups reduce the influence of negative media portrayals. Encourage your teen to seek out content that provides authentic representations of minority groups. Help them understand that stereotypes do not define people and that diversity enriches our understanding of the world.
Media literacy and digital citizenship education have become crucial for young people consuming online content. By exposing your child to diverse perspectives, encouraging critical thinking, and emphasising the importance of reliable sources, you will better equip them with the skills necessary to navigate the complex world of social media's curated content, better preparing them to engage with the world in a more open, empathetic, and informed way.
https://sthelena.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/parent/articles/unmasking-online-bias-in-social-media
Navigating the Need for Parental Controls
The online world is an exciting place, and in this digital age, children have easy access to many forms of technology. As curious beings, they're naturally driven to explore; therefore, as with the offline world, it's our role as parents to ensure they only delve into online places that are safe.
Unfortunately, for some of us, staying on top of our child's tech use can be challenging, especially if they're more tech-savvy than we are! Making use of parental control tools can be an excellent way to help protect and support your child's digital journey (and help relieve some of our stress).
What are parental controls?
Parental control tools are your trusty sidekick when it comes to keeping your child safe in the world of digital technology. They can assist you in managing their use of smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other connected gadgets, helping protect them from digital risks and harmful behaviour, including online bullying, predators, pornography, compulsive gaming, or inappropriate tech use.
What can they do?
Each parental control tool offers different features, but some of the most common include:
- Filtering and blocking inappropriate content, including pornography and violence
- Restricting screen time by the time of day or content category
- Disabling particular device or app features, for example, camera or in-app purchases
- Setting individual profiles for family members
- Device GPS-tracking
- Monitoring and reporting online activity
- Protecting personal information
How do they work?
There are three basic types of parental control tools:
Network level
Network-level controls are set on a router or hub and provide safe digital access for all devices connected to the home's WiFi network. They work well for devices that remain in the home but aren't overly effective for mobile devices, which often have a data plan and are frequently used outside the home.
Device level
Device-level controls like Qustodio can be installed on smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Unlike network-level controls, they work both inside and outside the home, irrespective of whether the device is connected to WiFi or data.
Application level
Application-level controls are built into the platform by the developers and can be managed by users through the app’s settings.
Parental control mythbusting
To help you determine fact from fiction, here are some of the more common parental control myths explained:
Parental controls are a way of spying on children
Parental controls are tools for keeping children safe, not spying on them. They provide visibility into an online space where risky behaviours can be easily hidden.
Children will find a way to bypass them
It's not unusual (and a normal part of the growing up process) for children to try and disable or adjust parental controls; however, most of the good ones have contingencies if tampering is detected. Don't be overly anxious if your child attempts to adjust the parental controls – it will provide you with an excellent opportunity to engage them in a proactive conversation about making safe online choices.
You need to be tech-savvy to set them up
On the contrary, the best parental controls are often the simplest to use. Qustodio, for example, offers a dedicated support centre and step-by-step guides and videos to help with set up, use, and troubleshooting.
My children will be upset if I use them
While there may be some initial resentment – particularly amongst teens – often, instead of outright contempt, most children simply want their parents to be more understanding about their device use.
The digital world offers many incredible opportunities and will form a significant part of your child's life experience now and into the future, with formal learning, play, and socialisation increasingly taking place online. Parental controls are an essential first step, but they aren't a magical, one-size-fits-all solution for maintaining online safety.
Rather than solely relying on them to keep your child safe, it is also essential to educate them to become a responsible and resilient digital citizen. Ongoing conversations with your child about situations they encounter, both on and offline, including positive relationships, empathy, consent, compassion, social responsibility, positive body image, and good mental health, hold the key to their digital health and wellbeing.
https://sthelena.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/parent/articles/navigating-the-need-for-parental-controls
Thank you to our IT Manager Jamie Myers for providing these articles.