Wellbeing 

R U OK...?

 

eSafety for our young people continued…

 

Social media plays an important role in Australia with 97% of households with children aged under 15 years having access to the internet and an average of 7 devices per household. Social networking, entertainment and educational activities are the most popular online activities for children. Children and young people are at a developmental stage in their lives when their ability to assess risk or danger and their decision-making skills have not fully developed. 

As a result, parents need to remain actively involved and vigilant regarding the nature of their child’s online activities and continue to communicate and negotiate with their child about their online use.

 

The unfortunate reality is that most social media platforms have a potential downside and can attract predators, especially when the games or apps enable video streaming, hiding graphic material behind something innocent looking, pairing with strangers or anonymous contributions. Similarly, it is possible for cyberbullying to occur with social networking apps and gaming. Some apps are better at screening their users than others. 

 

The challenge for parents is to help their child to enjoy the benefits of online activity whilst also having the skills and knowledge to identify and avoid the risks.

 

Some steps that parents can take to help their children stay safer online are:

  • Start having a conversation from an early age. Could be approached from the perspective of family values on this topic.
  • Begin having an influence about the way your child thinks about social media and online safety from a young age. Look at safe sites together and discuss why they are safe. An empowered child is more likely to disclose an issue.
  • Have age appropriate conversations about the risks and how to protect personal information online. Explain that some sites are only suitable for adults.
  • Explain about the consequences of posting inappropriate content of themselves or others.
  • Build your child’s online resilience by encouraging them to ensure they are tapping into the positive social connections instead of the negative comparisons with others.
  • Using parental controls in apps & devices to monitor and limit what your child does online. Turn on or review privacy settings to restrict who contacts your child in apps & games.
  • Keeping engaged through co-view and co-play by joining in with your child’s online activities.

Lay clear ground rules at home about

  • Showing respect on social media including not sharing photos of others online without their permission.
  • Privacy education around not using personal information when talking with strangers online.
  • Having device-free zones and times.
  • Limiting device or wireless internet usage.
  • Specified locations for online use where parents can supervise screens.

# Be aware that an app can easily be hidden behind another app.

 

Research the platforms that your child is using. 

Have a conversation with your child such as:

“Do you know anyone using that app?”

“What do you think about the sorts of apps that allow people to anonymously give feedback?”

“Do you think that sounds respectful?”

“Do you see how someone might feel hurt about that comment?”

 

Many young people are connecting on to several online media services.

Information specifically tailored to help parents understand their child’s use of some of the most popular networking sites are:

  • Facebook: Safety Resources for Parents
  • Snapchat: Safety Centre
  • Youtube: Policies, Safety and Reporting
  • Instagram: Tips for Parents

The esafety.gov.au website shows 80 of the most popular apps and games children are using at present.

 

Some apps worth knowing about and some of the risk factors -

Messaging apps:

  • WhatsApp
  • Kik
  • WeChat
  • Viber
  • GroupMe
  • Jott
  • Tango

Risk factors are:

  • Enabling connection with strangers
  • Some allow anonymous sign up which makes it difficult to discern whether the user is who they say they are.

Photosharing apps are some of the most common platforms for cyberbullying:

  • Snapchat
  • Instagram

Risk factors are: 

  • Sharing of inappropriate photos
  • Photos shared without permission
  • Emphasis on bodily perfection can give rise to body image issues.

 

 

Confession and ‘feedback’ platforms enable posting of photos and inviting anonymous feedback from strangers or friends:

  • Tellonym
  • Ask.fm
  • Whisper
  • Reddit’s ‘RoastMe’ subreddit

Risk factors:

  • Feedback can be brutal and involve sexual content, bullying or threats of violence
  • Allow anonymous chatting with strangers
  • Some platforms are easy to sign up posing as a teenager.

Streaming and video apps enable live broadcasts:

  • HouseParty
  • Squad
  • LiveMe
  • TikTok

Risk factors are:

  • Higher risk of exposure to inappropriate content 
  • Attractive to predators
  • Enables users to talk about someone else without that person’s knowledge – can lead to cyberbullying.

Apps to meet new friends often have a flirty undertone:

  • Yubo - involves swiping right or left (referred to as ‘Tinder for teens’)
  • Holla
  • MeetMe
  • Monkey - connects the user with random strangers

Risk factors are:

  • Accessible to predators
  • Yubo is connected to Snapchat.

Online games, game-streaming platforms and gaming chat involve a social element with people who haven’t been met in person:

  • Twitch
  • Fortnite
  • Discord

Risk factors are:

  • Exposure to offensive language or adult content from strangers and older players
  • Exposure to discussions about more mature games involving sex, violence and drugs.

Responding to an online issue -

  • Make the child part of the solution. Give options A, B or C. As to how we can help them with the option of their choice?
  • Refer them to appropriate support - ways to take action and legal assistance can be found on the eSafety website.
  • Discuss the issue with a Teacher, Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Chaplain, Vice Principal, Principal.

Barriers to seeking help may be:

  • Stigma
  • Embarrassment
  • Lack of knowledge or understanding
  • Degree of seriousness.

While negative experience can be hurtful, young people also report positive outcomes -

  • 40% increased awareness of online risks
  • 33% become aware of who their real friends are
  • 23% shift to using the internet in a more balanced way
  • 19% gain a greater understanding of their own behaviour.

There are many agencies of help available – listed below are just a few:

I’m sure it is everyone’s desire to see children flourish in all aspects of their life and to grow up feeling loved and respected. Therefore, I trust that this article proves helpful with the online safety of your child and in providing some information to assist in navigating the highs and lows of the online world. 

 

 

Anne Lawry

Chaplain