Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi’s Post

Most parents have concerns about their children’s digital use. We are aware that spending too much time online has an impact, usually negative, on our children’s behaviour, and it often creates points of conflict that upset family harmony. So what can parents do? Our job is to prepare and guide our children to be responsible citizens, with positive habits of behaviour, in the digital world — just as we do in the physical world. We want them to be able to maximise the possibilities and enjoy all the benefits, whilst staying safe. And, we want to ensure they are able to make the most of all their offline activities and opportunities. The good news is that we help children thrive in the Digital World in the same ways that we help them thrive in the physical world. We can help them learn how to manage their time and actions online, use technology and the internet for positive purposes and for the benefit of themselves and others. We can teach them how to recognise risks and know when and how and who to ask for help when things get tricky. And we can do this in the same ways that we help them brush their teeth, get their homework done, play nicely with their siblings, or learn to read, write and add up and everything else. Most importantly, we need to be active and involved. We can’t cross our fingers and opt out or hope our kids will work their way through the Digital World for themselves. We need to do the hard work behind the scenes. And we have to be patient because this will take time. So how can we do this? Join us tomorrow night at 7:30 for our Parenting in the Digital World workshop. The link to register is in the bio ... or visit https://lnkd.in/eACKFCAu #workshopsforparents #parentingeducation #helpingkidsthriveinthedigitalworld #screentime #phonefreechildhood #childrenandscreens

The finding of this research effort on how digital play can foster wellbeing are important and demand our attention with a focus on not only preventing the harm of our digital environments but also on enhancing their benefits. Worth a read 👇

#Research indicates that 38% of tweens report using social media (Rideout et al., 2022) and 6% of 5-8 year olds report using visual social media apps (Rideout & Robb, 2021). Which shows that, despite being younger the stated threshold for access, many school-aged (6-9 years old) children are actively using social media. Given this reality, participants at our recent Tuning for Wellbeing convening discussed the skills and knowledge school-aged children need for #digitalwellbeing, including: • Emphasize hands-on learning of safety, civility, and mindfulness skills online. Mentor and monitor children to ensure their safety as they learn increasingly independent skills. • Limit online relationships to extensions of real-life relationships, allowing children to take steps towards more autonomous digital engagement, while still ensuring they are protected. • Encourage kids' development of critical thinking skills and an understanding of how to protect their privacy online and seek help when needed. Our report from the convening also highlights the responsibilities key stakeholders hold in supporting school-aged children as they learn to use technology in safe, fun, and healthy ways. Get the full report here: https://ow.ly/bmue50QSiYs #healthytechhabits #parentingtips

In my latest article for BBC Science Focus, I delve into why a social media ban for kids might not be the solution we think it is and share some of our Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford research supported by the The Huo Family Foundation. Quick takeaways: 🚫 Social media's impact on youth well-being is surprisingly minimal. 😊 Most aspects of a child's life satisfaction are unaffected by their online activity per se. 🛠 Instead of banning, we should focus on equipping our youth with the skills to navigate digital spaces responsibly. 👨👩👧👦 As parents and educators, it's crucial to guide rather than restrict. 📊 Historical attempts at regulation have shown that blanket bans are ineffective. #DigitalWellbeing #AdolscentMentalHealthInTheDigitalAge #EvidenceBasedPolicy For a deeper understanding, check out the full piece https://lnkd.in/ea2qceYM).

National PTA and Edge Research's national survey and listening sessions explored parents’ mindsets about their child's use of the internet and digital media, revealing that parents are conflicted. They understand the value of digital media in their children’s lives, but also grapple with its potential dangers and negative impacts. This tension lies at the core of how parents try to strike a balance as they navigate their child's digital usage. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ee3dcQnh #childsafety #onlinesafety #digitalsafety #edtech #parentconcerns #studentmentalhealth

🌐 Today is Safer Internet Day! 🚀 With the internet becoming an essential part of our lives, especially for our children and young people, it's crucial to ensure their online experiences are safe and positive. 💻📱 Did you know that as of 2023, there were 5.3 billion internet users worldwide? By 2028, it's estimated that 98% of the UK population will have access. 🌍 This blog dives deep into how the online world impacts our children's mental health and wellbeing, and what parents, carers, and school staff can do to help. 🧠💬 -> https://lnkd.in/et7pZxkq The stats are eye-opening: YouTube and TikTok are dominating platforms for teens, with a majority using them daily. And while online activities can foster connection, creativity, and support, there are also risks like cyberbullying, privacy invasion, and exposure to inappropriate content. 🚫😟 According to research, half of British teenagers feel addicted to social media, and many find it hard to give up. It's clear that while the internet brings immense benefits, it also poses challenges that we must address. 🛑🔍 So, parents and carers, how can we ensure our children's online safety and wellbeing? It's not easy, but support, communication, supervision, and setting age-appropriate rules are vital. 🤝💡 Let's work together to navigate the digital age and keep our kids safe online! 💪 #SaferInternetDay #OnlineSafety #ParentingDigitalAge

Australia's recent move to potentially ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok is creating a significant buzz. This step, driven by concerns over mental health and online safety, aims to encourage young people to engage in more offline activities like sports and social interactions. This is a pivotal moment to reflect on how technology can also contribute positively to children's safety in the real world. Our advanced GPS tracking systems offer a way for parents to ensure their children are attending school or other planned activities, providing peace of mind even as digital spaces become more regulated. Uffizio’s tracking solutions can help families stay connected and safe by providing real-time updates on their children's whereabouts. As Australia takes bold steps to protect young people from online harm, integrating GPS tracking can complement these efforts by keeping them safe in the physical world. #Australia #SocialMediaBan #GPS #ChildSafety #Uffizio #TechForGood #DigitalSafety #TrackingSolutions #ANZ

Great to see Daily Mail Health Editor Shaun Wooller’s coverage of the new ukactive Next Generation strategy that was launched today. Our new polling, conducted with Beano Brain, found that over half of the seven to 14-year-olds sampled (53%) are using screens for more than three hours each day when not in school, with almost a quarter (24%) of 11 to 14-year-olds spending more than six hours a day on devices. Despite high levels of screen time, children are clearly motivated to be more active with only 26% of children sampled saying they’d want to be on a screen over taking part in physical activity and 40% of children saying that they want to be more physically active than they currently are. To read the Daily Mail’s coverage and analysis, click here: https://lnkd.in/eq4GgcTQ 

I'm a GP who sees many adolescent patients. I'm increasingly concerned about the way some families handle phones. I'm also aware that this is quickly becoming a challenging and confusing area that leads to many arguments in households and a level of resentment. We are all still learning, and it is evolving so quickly. What I've found confronting is that confiscating a teenager's phone as a form of punishment can lead to very negative outcomes, including self-harm. This is a very serious issue. It might not make sense. It might sound ridiculous. But teens are impulsive, and if they are disconnected from their world, it can severely affect their mental health. With phones becoming an integral part of teens' lives and social connections, I encourage parents to take an educational approach to their children's digital use. Sit with them, navigate together, and avoid judgment. Because when things go wrong, you need them to come to you and not snap. Proposed laws to raise the age limit for social media access from 13 to 16 won't necessarily fix the issues associated with screen use. However, it could provide a better opportunity for us to educate young individuals before granting them independence, similar to learning to drive a car. Empowering our youth with the knowledge and skills to thrive responsibly in the digital world is more important now than ever. It is up to all of us—teachers, parents, health professionals, and the government—to ensure we build greater resilience in the next generation. 📱 #Parenting #DigitalAge #Teenagers #SocialMediaEducation Emerging Minds Australia headspace The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)