Created as part of Childnet’s work in the UK Safer Internet Centre, the newly published hot topic looks at Digital Wellbeing, giving guidance to parents about the impact that the online world can have on the lives of children and young people.
What is digital wellbeing?
Our overall wellbeing is determined by the physical and emotional experiences we have on a daily basis. As technology continues to be such a huge part of our lives, from the way we represent who we are to the interactions we have with others, it too has an impact on our wellbeing. This is often referred to as your ‘digital wellbeing’ or ‘online wellness.’
It is essentially about having an awareness of how being online can make us feel and looking after ourselves and others when online. This can include recognising the impact being online can have on our emotions, mental wellbeing and even on our physical health and knowing what to do if something goes wrong.
Supporting children at different ages
As technology plays an ever increasing role in the lives of young people, it is important that we help them to understand how to use it safely, sensibly and with an awareness of how it can impact on them.
We have created guidance for parents and carers to help them support children and young people across different age groups. There is age specific guidance for parents of:
Advice for each age bracket includes include information about how the age group are interacting with the internet, top tips to help you support the young people at this age, and ideas to help you start a conversation about digital wellbeing.
Further Hot Topics
Our Hot Topics for parents cover a range of the issues that are affecting young people online, these include:
- Cyberbullying
- Screen time boundaries
- Online Pornography
- Parental Controls
- Sexting
- Social networking
- Downloading
- Livestreaming
Visit www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/hot-topics to see the list of topics we have covered.
