Viral online trends attract many children and teens. Most are harmless, but some challenges can be dangerous. Internet Matters - Be Challenge Aware has information and advice on how to manage the risks of online challenges.
Social media algorithms, which help tailor our newsfeeds, can create ‘echo chambers’ where people only see information that supports their current beliefs and opinions? Talk regularly about all content your child sees to make critical thinking a regular part of their digital life. Help them build digital literacy skills by asking:
Samaritans online safety hub - Remember that inappropriate online material, which could be harmful and distressing, can be reported through social media channels for review and potential removal. The Samaritans online safety hub, co-designed by young people has lots of useful information including how to report worrying content.
There is no ‘usual’ stereotype, any young person could send a nude pic. It's important to make sure young people understand that it is illegal to send nudes, even of themselves. And if it happens, try to understand whether there is peer pressure or grooming involved. Taking, making, sharing and possessing indecent images and pseudo-photographs (an image made by computer-graphics, which appears to be a photograph) of people under 18 is illegal. It doesn’t matter how old they look, looking at indecent images of under 18s is illegal.
This podcast by The 2 Johns looks at why and how young people are drawn into taking and sharing inappropriate images. They discuss how both parents and young people may be feeling and how to have an empathetic conversation with your child, as well as practical advice on getting photos removed.
Zipit app - Childline’s Zipit app, uses humour to help teenagers deal with unwanted requests for sexual images of themselves. The free app offers young people a gallery of images and animations which they can send in response to requests for sexual pictures and to deal with difficult sexting situations.
Report, remove from Childline - Report Remove is to help young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet. Childline can help take the images down.
Talking to your child about the risks of sending nudes - It’s important to have open conversations with your child about what they’re doing online from a young age, especially about the types of content they’re sharing. Talking to your child about the risks of sending nudes (NSPCC).
This online bullying podcast looks at the pressure from social media and the impact this has on young people. The 2 Johns talk about how parents can create a relationship with their child that encourages them to tell them about these issues and the support available.
Tackling online hate quiz - This online quiz empowers young people to tackle online hate and challenge negative behaviours in their digital spaces with this interactive tool. From the Online Together Project the quiz offers simple, age-specific learning and discussion.
Support with bullying - If you’re worried your child might have been a victim there's more information on how to get help from the Anti-Bullying Alliance.