SOCIAL MEDIA & SMARTPHONES
We have held a couple of parent evenings to discuss smartphones and children this term for parents navigating the world of smartphones and social media use. We recommend delaying access to smartphones for primary-aged children for many reasons around access to damaging online material from explicit material to violence and psychologically damaging content. Below is a link from the Children’s Commissioner called “What I Wish My Parents or Carers Knew” which has been written with children who have grown up using smartphones:
What I Wish My Parents Knew – A Guide For Parents & Carers on Managing Children’s Online Lives
AI USE & DEEPFAKE IMAGES
A worrying trend developing nationally is the use of AI by young people to manipulate or create explicit images of staff, each other, or anyone else. It is important that all families are aware that not only do these images create significant emotional harm to others, but is a serious criminal offence and can result in serious criminal consequences according to The Protection of Children Act 1978 and the Online Safety Act 2023. Please speak to your children about the use of AI if they have access. Again, we recommend that primary-aged children do not have access to these tools without direct supervision.
SCREENTIME ADVICE
Something for us all to think about for ourselves and our children, concerns are growing about the amount of screen time young children are receiving.
Digital devices are part of everyday life for many young people 📱 but how do they really impact wellbeing? The guide below explores how screen use can affect sleep, emotional regulation, physical health, and online experiences, and why concerns about wellbeing are growing.
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any queries or concerns around your children’s use of digital technology, or are not sure what to do for the best.
Coleham Safeguarding Team