Online Safety Guidelines

How to support children navigating social media

At Lifting Limits, we have been supporting schools and parents around the impact of influencers and how to safely navigate the online world, including the provision of guidance for schools and parents around challenging misogynistic and sexist narratives. Below are eight ways adults can support children:

1. Take time to talk

Talk regularly and positively about the internet with children, starting these conversations at an early age.

2. Support children to separate fact from fiction

Promote critical thinking and encourage children to ask, “What is the purpose of this video? What might it be encouraging me to do?” Explain that videos are often carefully choreographed and edited to give a false impression of reality.

3. Take it all seriously Influencers’ content is usually aimed at teenagers and young adults, however, negative and harmful messaging can sometimes reach younger children online. It is important to take all of this content seriously, even something that might be said as ‘fun’. Approach any incidents in a developmentally appropriate way for the child, reminding them that things meant as a joke can still be upsetting and inappropriate.

4. Challenge gender stereotypes

A rigid belief in gender roles and harmful stereotypes are promoted and normalised by some online influencers. If children are exposed to one viewpoint and one type of role model, they are more likely to subscribe to fixed and potentially harmful views around gender roles as they grow.

5. Remember appropriate age limits for

Online Platforms

Despite much younger children having access to these sites, most platforms are not suitable for children until they are at least 13 years old. Discuss why these age limits are in place and the responsibilities that social media companies hold around the safety of its users.

6. Explain how social media platforms work

The algorithms embedded in various platforms are designed to make you click - they will encourage emotion-driven, exciting content that will entice more screen time by promoting videos similar to those already watched. Help children to block certain words or phrases that are not supporting them in feeling positive. Remind children that if they ever see anything that they are unsure or concerned about, they should always seek out a trusted adult for support in the real world.

7. Share that everyone can be affected negatively

Everyone can suffer because of harmful messaging from some online influencers. Misogyny (an ingrained prejudice against women) and sexism can be common themes in some videos, which are obviously damaging for girls and women. However, boys and men and those of other genders are equally vulnerable to narratives around unhealthy masculinities and the inappropriate role models some videos expose them to.

8. Think about your family’s

Online World

It is easy for adults not to follow online wellbeing techniques themselves. Do you actively seek out positive content whilst online? Do you set limits for yourself on social media and on your devices? Think about your own mental health and model positive habits for your child.

KIRSTY RUTHVEN Head of Education at Lifting Limits www.liftinglimits.org.uk