Digital Parenting - Help Your Teens

5 Tips to Limit Your Teen’s Screen Time

Sue — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:39:46 +0000

Teenagers and smartphones are part of today’s generation that adults need to accept, but it doesn’t mean we don’t stop being parents. We must take steps to learn how to help our children manage these devices that seem to be causing a shift in young peoples’ mental health triggered by the overuse of social media.

Nearly half of teens (46 percent) are online almost constantly, while the majority of teens (96 percent) are using the internet every day.

In a new report by PEW Research Center, the majority of teens (72 percent) admitted they are happier and more peaceful when they are detached from their devices (screens). This is a contrast to the other almost half (44 percent) that say they feel anxious, upset, or lonely.

Whether the teen is feeling happier or anxious, both of these can be concerning since it goes back to the overuse of screen time that is causing them either not to have peace in their life or to have anxiety or even feel lonely.

5 Ways to Create a Smartphone Contract to Manage Screen Time

Creating a smartphone contract between you and your teen is an excellent way to teach your child about these rules and responsibilities, as well as the consequences for not seeing them through. Be sure you go over every item in your contract, giving your teen the opportunity to ask questions and even make suggestions.

These are 5 tips to limit screen-time in a smartphone contract:

1. Limiting notifications: Parents also need to be part of this. For every ring, buzz, whistle, or ding that your phone announces for each app notification, it can trigger a sense of anxiousness—the person feels like they need to check it immediately.

Your teen should be allowed three to five app notifications; this can help limit their screen time and their anxiety.

2. Having phone limits: Designate phone limits and stick to them (not easy, but necessary). According to the most recent PEW report, many parents and teens argue about screen time and devices. If you have a contract (agreement) in place, hopefully it could curb destructive conversations in the home.

What are healthy phone limits? According to Reid Health, for both adults and kids (outside of work and school) it should be an average of 2 hours. It’s probably safe to say that both adults and teens break that number.

3. Eating without electronics: This generation needs to have a better understanding of having a meal without distractions, especially when with friends (or family)—it’s simply disrespectful.

Whether you’re at home or in a restaurant, a no-device rule should always be implemented for both teens and parents.

4. Sleeping “safely”: As much as we want to trust our young people, they are drawn to their screens; night scrolling is real. It can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety, and your teen to lose valuable sleep. Eventually, their academic performance starts slipping and their attitude becomes flippant.

Implement in your contract a designated time at night that all devices are placed into your home safe or lockbox for the night. This will eliminate any temptation for endless texting, scrolling, or other needless social media engagement.

5. Having a social activity challenge: Interestingly, the PEW report shares that the majority of teens (69 percent) say smartphones make it easier for people their age to pursue hobbies and interests. It’s the positive side of screen time, but it’s also how we can take it offline.

Encourage your teen to get involved offline in their favorite hobby (activity) with friends (maybe some they have met online) after you have properly vetted them, rather than always conversing through screens.

In Conclusion

Do you think it’s too late to start a smartphone contract with your teenager? You would be wrong—yes, you may get some pushback, but studies have shown that teens want boundaries, they really want to get offline, and you can help them.

Also read:

How to Help Your Teen With Cyberbullying

How Cyberbullying Impacts A Teen’s Mental Health

How Much Is Too Much Screen Time for Teens

The post 5 Tips to Limit Your Teen’s Screen Time first appeared on Help Your Teens.

How Social Media Is Affecting Teenage Mental Health

Sue — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 19:42:47 +0000

How is social media affecting teenage mental health? Research shares that nearly half of teens (46 percent) say they are now online constantly — which means they are more at risk for cyber-victimization.

Doomscrolling or doomsurfing has become a trend that is impacting mental health with all ages and especially teenagers. This is when a person spends an excessive amount of time online (scrolling) and reading about negative events. In 2019, a study by the National Academy of Sciences found that doomscrolling can be linked to a decline in mental and physical health.

Unlike bullying in person which can be contained to classrooms, buses or neighborhoods, cyberbullying is on a global platform that can spread worldwide. It can be in the form of a text message spread to millions of peers (and strangers), or on a social media post gone viral. We have seen the results of sexting scandals that have crisscrossed our country in both middle schools and high schools — leaving adolescents emotionally devastated.

Has your teen sent or received a sext message or posted something inappropriately, only to become a target of online shame? Never doubt the cruelty of some people online — with the anonymity of social media, peers can take on a new persona without a second thought that there is a real person behind the screen.

Have you noticed your teen:

-Becoming withdrawn, avoiding friends or social events
-Feelings of sadness
-Hiding their screen (phone or computer) from your view
-Grades are dropping, skipping classes, school refusal
-Seems anxious or angry when on their device
–Isolating themselves in their room (more than normal)
-Believe they are doing drugs or drinking (maybe self-medicating)

These are some indications that your teen could be struggling with online issues (cyber-victimization).

4 Ways Social Media Affects Teenage Mental Health

1. Depression and anxiety

Many teens are seeking gratification and approval through their social media platforms, basing their self-worth on how many “likes” or followers they garnish through their posts. Teenagers who search for acceptance on social media are more likely to succumb to those that are not always going to agree with them. Another words, they are at a higher risk of cyberbullying and online hate.

There is a vast amount of research which concurs that teens that are victims of online bullying and harassment has consistently led to higher levels of depression and anxiety. In addition, one study found that 93% of the teens that were victimized felt sadness, hopelessness, powerlessness and loneliness.

Since 2019 the numbers have doubled of youth struggling with depression and anxiety, and many experts have blamed the increase of screen-time for this statistic — cyberbullying has also increased 40 percent since 2020.

2. Digital self-harm

Digital self-harm is a trend that parents might not be aware of. Studies show distressed teens physically injure themselves via cutting, burning or other forms of self-harm as a way to cope with their pain.

Teens are anonymously posting mean and derogatory comments about themselves on social media as a way to manage feelings of sadness and self-hatred and to gain attention from their friends.

According to the American Psychological Association, teens who physically injure themselves often struggle with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or difficulties with emotional regulation.

3. Self-harm and suicide ideation

Again, there has been numerous reports proving victims of cyberbullying are at a greater risk of both self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Teens that are being constantly harassed by peers (or strangers) through digital means (social media, text messages, instant messaging) often begin to feel helpless and hopeless.

If your teen is a victim of revenge porn or a sext message gone viral, the embarrassment and humiliation can be overwhelming. Maybe it’s a malicious prank someone posted about them — the online shame your teen feels can be emotional traumatic.

That’s when a teen may believe only way to relieve the pain is to end their life — or some will self-harm such as cutting or burning themselves.

4. Eating disorders.

Social media is where teens are posting images faster than lightening. The numbers are overwhelming and although much of the content supports positive body image, some promote the opposite — body shaming. A teen will literally spend hours perfecting an image to post online, and within minutes haters can pile on distasteful comments, ugly memes, and spread harmful rumors.

The relation of body image to bullying is strong. In one study, 90 percent indicated that they are currently bullied and 75 percent reported struggling with a clinically significant eating disorder.

Never doubt, the digital playgrounds your teens are on can be a harsh environment. The old cliché of sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you, is history. YES, words hurt and the pain can be long-lasting if not addressed with professional help.

Also read:

How to Help My Teen Handle Cyberbullying

What Causes Teen Mental Health Issues

How to Help My Teen Manage Screen Time

The post How Social Media Is Affecting Teenage Mental Health first appeared on Help Your Teens.

How to Help My Teen Manage Screen Time

Sue — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 18:49:00 +0000

“Be her parent, not her best friend” is a common phrase that parents need to take seriously, especially when it pertains to the rules of technology for their family.

We are now facing a time when nearly all teens (96 percent) are using the internet every day, and the amount of young people who are online almost constantly has nearly doubled from 2015 until today, according to the PEW Research Center.

Although most of us understand that the train has left the station for this generation of teens and technology, it doesn’t mean parents give up on trying to take back control of their devices. Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory, Social Media and Youth Mental Health, digging into the complex world teenagers and youth are dealing with online, especially when they are not emotionally prepared.

Social media and the overuse of screen time have been proven to diminish the mental health of our young people; parents watch their children rage or have explosive meltdowns if they even threaten to remove their phones. It’s time to help teens learn how to manage screen time successfully.

5 Ways to Help Your Teen Manage Screen Time

This may not be easy, but it will be worthwhile since your teen’s future and mental well-being are at risk.

1. Knowledge is power. Although your teen has probably heard you warn them about the risks of social media to their mental health, it’s time to talk about the risks of too much social media (screen time) for anyone, including yourself as a parent.

More research and studies have shown that many adults have become slaves to their phones, leading to increased issues with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. In other words, many parents can relate to their teenager’s digital life; let’s work on this together. Let your teen know they’re not alone.

2. Limit your notifications. This is probably one of the biggest (and easiest) stress reducers you can make for your teen and yourself. To have a half dozen sounds of buzzes, whistles, rings, and songs going off to notify you that an app has been updated can be overwhelming—and automatically starts triggering emotions, especially if you can’t answer it immediately.

Have your teen choose three apps (or whatever you are comfortable with) for sounds. The others they can manually check periodically.

3. Set daily device-free time. Whether it’s meal (breakfast or dinner) time, before bedtime, or one to two hours in the afternoon or morning, develop a schedule when no one is staring at screens. On weekends, create family activities that don’t involve screens. Keep in mind that this includes the parents, too.

4. Create boundaries with a technology contract. Did you know teenagers want someone to impose screen time limits on them? As mentioned earlier, the train did leave the station, and it’s hard to get it back, but as a parent, you still have the power to lead the ship.

Sit down together as a family, discuss what they consider to be fair as a starting point, and begin your negotiations from there. Allowing them to be part of the conversation also helps them better understand the consequences they will have when breaking the rules (boundaries).

5. Importance of sleep. Adolescents are known for staying up all night, scrolling their social feeds, binging, or even gaming. However, this is extremely unhealthy and can have a profound impact on their emotional health and academics.

A safe or lockbox is one of the best investments for your child’s mental well-being. Choose a time at night when devices will be secured until the morning. This can help you improve your teen’s sleep, which typically improves other areas of their life, like school.

In conclusion, as parents, we need our young people to understand better that learning a healthy balance of screen time benefits all of us; as both adults and teenagers, we need to start managing our online lives successfully for our mental wellness.

Also read:

How Cyberbullying Effects Mental Health

What Causes Teen Mental Health Issues

The post How to Help My Teen Manage Screen Time first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Why It’s Important to Assess the Digital World’s Influence on Youth

Sue — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:14:32 +0000

As the digital world continues to expand, so does its influence on young people. It is becoming increasingly important for parents, educators, and other adults in roles of authority to assess just how far this digital reach has gone when it comes to our youth.

Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat have become commonplace tools employed by young people everywhere; however, there are a number of serious issues concerning mental health and safety that arise out of extended usage.

Parental monitoring apps have also made it easier than ever before for guardians to keep tabs on their children’s activity online, but can these tools be exploited? In this blog post, we’ll explore why it is essential that the impact of technology and the internet on our children be assessed closely.

Digital World’s Impact on Youth Mental Health

As technology continues to evolve, its impact on younger generations is becoming increasingly apparent. The digital world has brought about new advancements and connectedness, but it also presents challenges when it comes to mental health.

From cyberbullying to social media pressure to online addiction, there are various factors that can negatively affect youth mental health in today’s digital age.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Many experts are exploring how technology can also be used positively to help young people cope with mental health challenges and improve their well-being. Understanding the impact of the digital world on youth mental health is crucial for parents, educators, and mental health professionals in order to provide the best support and guidance possible.

Protecting the Eyes of Youth

Online predators and cyberbullies aren’t the only threats that can arise from extended internet use. Young people’s eyes can also be damaged by extended exposure to blue light emitted from electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, and computers. This is why it is essential for adults to research blue light filter glasses for kids and other products that can help protect their vision.

There are also a number of basic steps that adults can take to protect the eyes of young people, such as setting limits on screen time and encouraging them to rest their eyes after using devices for extended periods of time.

As parents, it is our responsibility to make sure our children are not overusing digital devices, so that they can ensure their physical and mental health remain intact.

How Technology is Changing the Way We Interact with Each Other

It’s no secret that technology is transforming the way we interact with each other. Social media platforms and messaging apps have changed the way young people communicate, and it’s important to assess how this shift in communication is impacting our youth.

Social media can be used for positive interaction and connection, but it can also lead to issues such as isolation or depression if not used in a responsible manner. It’s important for adults to discuss with young people the importance of maintaining healthy relationships, both online and offline.

It’s also essential to remember that digital interaction is not a substitute for real-life connection. Technology should be used to enhance relationships rather than replace them entirely. By having open conversations about the positive and negative aspects of technology, adults can help young people learn how to navigate the digital world in a responsible and respectful manner.

Exposing Kids to Positive Online Communities

As kids increasingly rely on technology for education, entertainment, and social interaction, it’s important to make sure their online experiences are positive and safe. One way to do that is by introducing them to positive online communities. These communities offer a space for kids to connect with others who share similar interests, passions, and goals.

They can also serve as a source of support, encouragement, and inspiration. Exposure to these types of communities can help kids develop social skills, expand their knowledge, and broaden their horizons. By connecting with others who are passionate about the same things, kids can discover new ideas, gain confidence, and have fun while exploring the digital world.

In the rapidly evolving digital world, it’s clear that technology’s influence on youth is profound and multifaceted. From their mental health to the way they interact with others, the digital world significantly shapes the experiences of young people today. While there are certainly challenges associated with this influence, there are also opportunities.

By understanding and addressing the negative impacts, while also leveraging the positive aspects such as opportunities for learning and connection, we can help ensure that our youth navigate the digital world safely and successfully. It’s our collective responsibility as parents, educators, and society as a whole to guide the youth of today in harnessing the potential of technology and the internet for their growth, well-being, and future success.

Also read:
How Screen Time Can Impact Teenage Mental Health

How Cyberbullying Affect Teen Mental Health

The post Why It’s Important to Assess the Digital World’s Influence on Youth first appeared on Help Your Teens.

How to Teach Your Teen to Use Gadgets Responsibly

Sue — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:46:27 +0000

There’s an ongoing debate among parents on how to raise a new generation of kids who were born into the digital age, with many of these kids considered “digital natives.”

One side comprises parents who would rather cut off the use of technology during a child’s earliest development stages, raising their young children as if gadgets and screen time didn’t exist. On the other end are parents who believe in the optimised use of technologies.

Such parents typically wish to harness technology’s potential for their children’s learning experiences, as the latter can adequately prepare kids for a future driven by tech like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.

In a smart city like Singapore, technology solutions are leveraged in almost all aspects of life, including children’s education. But many kids from the age of one and up may be exceeding the recommended screen time set by governing bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Organizations like the WHO have warned parents about the consequences of excessive tech consumption among children, which include lack of sleep, depressive symptoms, and other interferences to a teen’s healthy development.

As a parent who wants the best for their children, the onus is on you to moderate your child’s exposure to technology in a way that’s appropriate to their age and level of development. One effective way to do so is to teach your child how to use their gadgets productively and responsibly.

The Benefits of Responsible Gadget Use

First, it’s important to recognise the positive aspects of technology in children’s lives. Responsible gadget use can foster curiosity in children, enhance their problem-solving skills, and encourage creative thinking.

Even with cheap phones Singapore students can access the internet to help them with their homework and research requirements. In addition, educational apps and digital resources provide avenues for children to explore new concepts and ideas independently. If they use the power of technology responsibly, children can develop essential digital literacy skills that will serve them well in an increasingly digital world.

Building a Foundation for Responsible Gadget Use

That said, boundaries and guidelines for gadget use will serve as the cornerstones of responsible digital interaction. Parents should lead their families in creating a gadget usage plan that includes specific rules for meal times, study hours, bedtime, and other daily routines. Moreover, clear communication of expectations and consequences ensures that children understand the importance of responsible gadget use and follow the rules even when their parents aren’t watching.

Encouraging open communication between parents and kids is also pivotal when it comes to nurturing responsible gadget use. Parents should strive to foster an environment where children feel comfortable sharing their online experiences and concerns.

Family members should also engage in regular conversations about online safety, etiquette, and potential challenges. Addressing misconceptions and dispelling myths will help parents empower their children to make informed decisions and be proactive about watching out for their safety in the digital realm.

Below are some specific suggestions for parents to build a foundation for responsible gadget use within their families:

1) Teach Kids about Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is a fundamental skill for the modern age. Help your child understand how to identify reliable sources of information and critically evaluate online content. For instance, you can teach them online research skills, like identifying sites you can trust for local and international news and other information.

2) Promote Cyberbullying Awareness

Next, raise awareness about cyberbullying. Discuss its implications, and provide guidance on recognizing and responding to such behavior. More importantly, instill in your child the value of being empathetic and kind online, making them responsible for respectful and supportive approaches in their digital interactions.

3) Emphasise the Importance of Privacy

Teach your child about the significance of safeguarding personal information online. Explain the risks associated with sharing sensitive details and guide them when setting privacy settings on various platforms. It’s critical for children to understand the importance of privacy so that they can protect themselves from online threats, even when you’re not there.

4) Lead by Example

Teens learn by observing and modelling the behaviour of the adults around them. Model responsible gadget use by adhering to the rules you’ve established. Your actions will speak volumes and influence your child’s approach to technology.

5) Set Screen Time Limits

Tailor screen time limits to your child’s age and developmental stage. While it’s essential to embrace technology’s benefits, you should also aim to strike a balance between screen time and other activities that foster physical, cognitive, and social development.

6) Promote Quality Content

Encourage your teen to engage with educational apps, games, and content that stimulate their learning and creativity. By promoting quality content, you’ll enhance your children’s interactions with their gadgets while minimising mindless scrolling.

7) Designate Gadget-Free Areas

Identify specific areas in your home where gadgets are not allowed, such as the dining room or bedrooms. These designated gadget-free zones will encourage rest from screen time and, in the case of the dining room, authentic family interactions and communication during meals.

8) Establish Gadget-Free Moments

You can also establish specific routines for gadget-free moments, such as family meals and outings. Embrace the opportunity to engage with one another without distractions, thus strengthening your bond as a family.

9) Encourage Your Kids to Pursue Offline Hobbies and Activities

In the pursuit of a well-rounded childhood, encourage your child to explore offline hobbies and activities that nurture their creativity, physical activity, and social interaction levels. From outdoor play to artistic pursuits, these diversified experiences beyond screens will enrich your child’s development.

10) Install and Use Parental Control Tools or Kid-Friendly Apps on Gadgets

Lastly, one practical way that you can monitor your child’s online activity is to install parental control apps or kid-friendly versions of popular apps. These tools can ensure that your children are in a safe online environment and consuming content that’s appropriate for their age.

In a world saturated with technology, nurturing responsible gadget use among children is of paramount importance. Set clear rules, have an open line of communication, and more importantly, abide by the best practices you want your kids to follow. Through proactive engagement and consistent guidance, parents can help their children navigate the digital landscape with confidence and a sense of responsibility.

Also read:

The Impact of Cyberbullying on Teenage Mental Health

Why Teens Are Secretive About Their Online Lives

The post How to Teach Your Teen to Use Gadgets Responsibly first appeared on Help Your Teens.

How to Communicate with Teens Effectively to Ensure Online Safety

Sue — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 14:38:36 +0000

Is your teen attached to social media or as many young people obsessed with online gaming? How can you communicate with your teenager effectively to ensure their safety in the digital world?

As a parent of a teenager who loves video games, I understand the excitement and concerns that come with their virtual adventures. The digital landscape provides a rich platform for social interaction and entertainment, but it also introduces potential risks.

Ensuring a safe online gaming experience for our teens requires open communication, trust and understanding. In this blog post, I’ll share some valuable insights and strategies on how to communicate effectively with your teenagers to foster a safer online gaming environment.

Initiate Honest Conversations

Effective communication starts with honest and open conversations. Sit down with your teenager and express your interest in their gaming experiences. Instead of approaching the topic with skepticism or judgment, demonstrate genuine curiosity about their virtual world. Ask them about the games they play, their online friends and the virtual communities they participate in.

By showing interest, you create a sense of trust and encourage them to share more about their gaming activities. It’s important to create a positive relationship with your teen that lets them know that they can talk to you about what’s going on in their virtual world. It’s likely that at one point or another, they will run into a situation that requires your help and ensuring that they can come to you to speak openly about the issue will help them.

Be Informed about Video Games

To communicate effectively with your teenager about video games, it’s essential to understand the video games they play. Take the time to research the games they are interested in, and try to experience them firsthand if possible. One great resource is the Family Gaming Database. It is likely that your child will ask you before buying a game, so take that time to learn the game before they do.

Whether it’s Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft or League of Legends, the more you know the better! This will not only give you insight into the content and mechanics of the games but also provide common ground for discussions. Engaging in conversations about specific game features or challenges can make it easier to broach sensitive topics related to online safety.

Establish Clear Boundaries

Setting clear boundaries is crucial to ensuring a safe online gaming experience for your teenager. Together, define rules for gaming sessions, including time limits, appropriate gaming content and guidelines for interacting with other players. This is a good time to talk to your child about any type of parental controls or monitoring software you may want to put in place. Explain your reasons behind these rules, emphasizing the importance of balancing online activities with other responsibilities and offline activities.

Once they understand the rationale, they will be more likely to respect the boundaries you’ve set. When it comes to monitoring software, ProtectMe by Kidas monitors in-game voice and text communication in over 200 video games on Windows computers and alerts parents of any dangers their child comes in contact with while playing. Not only do you receive alerts, but you receive recommendations on how to talk to your child about the threat which helps to strengthen the lines of communication between you and your teen.

Educate your child about Online Safety

Teens can sometimes be unaware of the potential dangers lurking in the digital realm. Educate your teenager about online safety and emphasize the significance of safeguarding personal information. Remind them to never share personal details like their full name, address or phone number with strangers online. Encourage them to use strong and unique passwords for gaming accounts to protect against unauthorized access. The last thing your child will want to deal with is a stolen gaming account!

Encourage Responsible Gaming

Teaching your teenager about responsible gaming habits can lead to a safer online experience. Discuss the importance of taking breaks, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. Prolonged gaming sessions can lead to physical and mental health issues, so it’s essential to emphasize the significance of moderation.

Address Cyberbullying, Toxic Behavior and Online Predators

Online gaming communities are not immune to cyberbullying and toxic behavior. In fact, toxic gamers, cyberbullies and online predators are lurking in many games and gaming communication apps. Discuss these issues with your teenagers and encourage them to speak up if they encounter such behavior.

Ensure they are aware of tactics online predators are using to contact children and teens online. Teach them to be an upstander when they witness cyberbullying. Teach them to report inappropriate content or harassment to the game administrators or you, so you can address the situation together. ProtectMe by Kidas monitors for cyberbullying, toxic behavior, online predators and more.

Foster Empathy and Respect

Help your teenager understand the impact of their words and actions online. Encourage empathy and respect for other players, emphasizing that there are real people behind the screens. Remind them that their behavior can positively or negatively affect someone’s gaming experience. By cultivating empathy, you promote a more inclusive and enjoyable gaming community.

Stay Updated on Gaming Trends

The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, and new games and platforms emerge frequently. Stay informed about the latest gaming trends and developments to maintain a relevant conversation with your teenager. Being aware of the games they’re interested in allows you to stay engaged and involved in their gaming experiences.

Have Fun Playing Together

Bonding with your teenager over their favorite video games can be a rewarding experience. Play together occasionally, and participate in their gaming adventures. This shared activity not only strengthens your relationship but also provides opportunities to observe their gaming habits firsthand.

Navigating the world of online gaming with your teenager requires proactive communication and understanding. By initiating open conversations, setting clear boundaries, educating about online safety and fostering empathy, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable gaming experience for your teenager. Remember to stay informed about gaming trends and, most importantly, be a supportive and engaged parent in their digital journey.

ProtectMe by Kidas offers a 14-day free trial. Talk to your teen about how ProtectMe can help keep them safe and use the resources to manage threats and to stay up to date on all things gaming. Together, you can create a safer online gaming environment for your teens while respecting their love for virtual adventures.

Guest post by Kidas.

P.U.R.E. does not receive compensation from Kidas.

The post How to Communicate with Teens Effectively to Ensure Online Safety first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Does Your Teen Have the Tools to Handle Cyberbullying?

krischislett — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 18:45:19 +0000

How can I help my teen handle cyberbullying? We’re living in an age where incivility and trolling is not only common, it’s become the new normal.

PEW Research Center recent survey found that 63 percent of teens said that online harassment and bullying was a major problem, while 59 percent reported experiencing being bullied or harassed online.

It’s a sea of sadness when we read headlines of peer cruelty and youth dying as the word bullycide has now entered our vocabulary.

Digital discourse

Generations earlier, before technology and social playgrounds such as Instagram and Snapchat, kids were teasing and mocking each other in schools, neighborhoods or on their traditional playground with monkey bars and swings.

What hasn’t changed is name-calling.

Being called offensive names is the most offensive form of cyberbullying according to teens in this survey at 42 percent, followed by someone spreading false rumors about them on the internet at 32 percent.

The difference between twenty years ago and today is that with technology, your insults are magnified by a million.

Resilience can be learned

Resilience is a word we’re all familiar with; however, with the rise of online hate and harassment, it’s imperative to discuss how to build digital resilience with our teens.

In the PEW Research survey, teens share that parents are, overall, doing a good job in helping them handle cyberbullying—however, they felt that teachers, social media platforms and others could be more involved.

Digital resilience is a tool that helps people of all ages move through the difficulties of trolling and cyber-combat.

1. Prepare them (and yourself) for the ugly side of the Internet or possibly being upset by what people say. Remind them there could be inappropriate content that slips through filters. Being forewarned is being forearmed.

2. Show them how to block individuals, flag and report abusive content, and when to report incidents. Emphasize the importance of telling someone “in real life.”

3. Show your teen how easily digital pictures can be manipulated. The realization that not everything is what it seems is a useful first step—understanding that life is not as perfect as it may seem virtually. Teens may be familiar with the digital world but less familiar with the motivations for creating ‘fake’ images.

4. Critical thinking. Help them to think through the possible consequences of what they post online. Remind them that there is no rewind: once it’s posted, it’s nearly impossible to take back. Fifteen minutes of humor is not worth a lifetime of humiliation.

5. Encourage your teen to socialize in person with their friends. Communicating solely behind a screen can be isolating. Socializing in person builds more face-to-face contact in helping your child have empathy and compassion towards people.

Getting schools involved

After a cyberbullying episode hit her daughter’s public charter school, parent and video producer Diana Graber developed this program based on the master’s degree she had just received in media psychology and social change. Graber still teaches the course herself, but also trains teachers to run the program at their own schools, providing video and written materials for a fee.

Since its inception, the program has grown to be offered in more than one hundred schools in 47 states and overseas, ranging from Waldorf to public schools.

Sixth graders begin with the basic concepts of digital citizenship, covering digital footprints, what should never be shared online, and antibullying behavior, such as the difference between being an upstander and a bystander. Seventh graders focus on research skills, covering concepts such as keywords, Wikipedia, fair use, browsers, search engines, and privacy protection.

By eighth grade, the students shift focus again to consuming versus producing online content, covering media literacy issues from sexting to Photoshopping to copyright protection. The final exam is a series of questions we adults would likely fail: What are cookies and how do they work? What does URL stand for? What is a spider? What are the eight tips for a secure password?

While much of the same information is on her complementary website, CyberWise.org, Graber ultimately found that approaching the students directly, instead of using their parents as mediators, works best. “Kids don’t want to talk to their parents in middle school,” she says. “The talking is with each other. If we can make safe spaces in the classroom, that is way more powerful.”

Graber knew her message was received when a new girl posted a photo of herself in a bikini, and an eighth-grade boy who’d taken the course scolded her. “You need to take that off your Instagram,” he told her bluntly. “That was stupid.” Harsh, Graber concedes—but effective. “In a crude way, he was looking out for her. The kids start being each other’s mentors.”

This teacher seems to be making a difference with her curriculum, CyberCivics, that is now spreading throughout the country.

Also read:

The Effects of Cyberbullying on Teenager Mental Health

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Is your teen a victim or target of cyberbullying? Have you noticed them becoming withdrawn, nervous when they receive notifications on their phone, loss of appetite, drop in grades? Words can hurt and leave our young people with emotional baggage.

If you have exhausted your local resources, therapy isn’t working, maybe you tried out patient and even a hospital stay — contact us for information on how residential therapy might be able to help.

The post Does Your Teen Have the Tools to Handle Cyberbullying? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Help Your Teen Prevent Cyberbullying

krischislett — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 17:59:42 +0000

How to prevent my teen from online hate and cyberbullying?

We’re living in an age where incivility and trolling is not only common, it’s become the new normal.

It’s a sea of sadness when we read headlines of peer cruelty and youth dying as the word bullycide has now entered our vocabulary.

Digital discourse

What hasn’t changed is name-calling.

The difference between twenty years ago and today is that with technology, your insults are magnified by a million.

Resilience can be learned

Resilience is a word we’re all familiar with; however, with the rise of online hate and harassment, it’s imperative to discuss how to build digital resilience with our teens.

Digital resilience is a tool that helps people of all ages move through the difficulties of trolling and cyber-combat.

2. Show them how to block individuals, flag and report abusive content, and when to report incidents. Emphasize the importance of telling someone “in real life.”

Getting schools involved

Since its inception, the program has grown to be offered in more than one hundred schools in 47 states and overseas, ranging from Waldorf to public schools.

This teacher seems to be making a difference with her curriculum, CyberCivics, that is now spreading throughout the country. Originally posted on Psychology Today by Sue Scheff.

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If you are struggling with your teenager’s behavior and you have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The post Help Your Teen Prevent Cyberbullying first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Sext Education with Your Teen

krischislett — Sun, 28 May 2023 17:14:51 +0000

Have you had the sext talk with your teenager?

Did you know that according to research, one out of five parents send sexual and/or intimate images of each other (considered sexting)?

Of course we aren’t judging parents, we only need to understand that teens are experiencing and experimenting with their sexuality, however at their age, there could be potential legal consequences. It’s never too late to start your sext chat offline to be safer online.

Tito de Morais, The Internet Safety Guy, recently said in a forum, “Kids that are at risk offline will be at risk online, as questionable conduct in the physical and digital world is not mutually exclusive.” After collaborating on several other articles, including the “Cyber-Shield” series, I was thrilled to be a part of Sue Scheff’s most recent contribution to the Huffington Post, Sext Education: Sexting = Cyberbullying. Together, we believe in making a difference by educating students, teachers, parents, and communities about cyberbullying prevention.

In the recent article, we discuss the implications of sexting among teens, and how sexting and cyberbullying = are essentially one and the same. Because of the evolving nature of the online realm, sexting isn’t just confined to text messages: teens are able to use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social networks to spread sexually illicit messages.

Parents and other adults can make a difference when it comes to building awareness of sexting’s dangers, and it all starts with having the “sext chat” with your children. Here are five tips to get this conversation started:

Start talking: Use current news stories to spark conversation with your kids. Make it relevant to their lives. A recent journal Pediatrics study on teens that sext is a good tool to review.
Just do it: There might never be an optimal time to get the gears moving on the sext talk, so it’s crucial to hunker down, move past any embarrassment, and bring up the topic.
Make it real: Pose the question, “How would you feel if your grandma or grandpa saw that picture message?” We’re all accountable for our actions online and off, even though that notion slips by many teenagers these days.
Address peer pressure: Emphasize that it’s OK for your child to be their own person and not worry about what their peers are doing, especially in regards to sexting.
Give them control: Encourage your children to make the right decisions when they receive a sext. They have the ability to stop the communication right in its tracks.

Contributor: Mike Miles formerly managed social media at SmartSign, a New York City based ecommerce sign retailer and creator of #TakeNoBullies, an anti-cyberbullying and digital responsibility campaign, through its site MySecuritySign. Mike is passionate about writing, digital citizenship, and advocating for a safer internet.

Read: How Cyberbullying Effects Teenage Mental Health.

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If you are struggling with your teenager and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your teen make better choices. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The post Sext Education with Your Teen first appeared on Help Your Teens.

How to Talk to Teens About Online Safety

Sue — Wed, 17 May 2023 10:07:08 +0000

Talking to teenagers about their online lives is essential if you want to protect them. Many teenagers use social networks, internet chat rooms, and instant messaging programs to communicate and socialize.

Most of them have internet access using a smartphone or tablet. When your communication with them about their online lives is honest and open, you can give them the support they need. Here are some ways to start and maintain strong communication about online safety for teens.

Being proactive not just reactive

A teenager may not be aware of all the dangers that come with using the internet. It is your responsibility as a parent to talk to them about internet use and safety. They need to learn how to identify acceptable and unacceptable content independently.

They will only learn if you talk to them about appropriate online behavior and how to respect themselves and others online. They should know what is safe and isn’t safe to share online. It will help to talk openly about your own experiences online and ask them about the apps, games, and experiences they have an interest in.

Keeping personal information private

You need to make sure your teenager knows not to discuss personal information or share videos or images with strangers. It is possible to set privacy settings on most social networking sites. Make sure your teenager uses privacy settings so only close friends can search for them, tag them in photos, etc. Talk to them about their personal information and how cybercriminals can misuse it.

Make sure they have the latest antivirus software on their devices and know how to update it. This makes sure there are fewer vulnerabilities cyber criminals can exploit. If your teenager uses a Mac, you may want to know “what is the best antivirus for Mac?” The best solution should offer continuous malware monitoring and a user-friendly interface.

How to stay safe on social media

Even if a teenager claims to know how to be safe on social media, you can’t just assume this is true. Teenagers often think they know everything but they may not be fully aware of all the issues. They may not realize that photos of underage drinking and smoking could stay around online and do them harm.

Social media safety for teens involves teaching them that anything they upload or message stays around online. They should only do things online that they wouldn’t mind you, a teacher, or a future employer seeing. Being responsible online means not saying things they wouldn’t say face-to-face and having respect for themselves and others.

Take a positive approach

When discussing internet safety for teens, it is important to take a positive approach. If you take a negative approach, your teenager is likely to be resistant to what you have to say. Recognize and talk about the positives of using the internet. Make a habit of talking about what they enjoy doing online. Encourage them to download certain apps that you agree on together.

Talk to them about how the internet has many positive uses but that they also have to be aware of certain dangers, such as cyberbullying and sexting. It could be embarrassing to discuss subjects like this but it is better for you both if you get them out in the open. They are more likely to come to you with their concerns if you talk openly to them in a non-judgmental way.

Stay Involved

Stay aware of what your teen is doing online as far as possible. Take note of how much time they spend online. This can help you to identify if they are having problems. If they appear overly happy or sad after being online, this could indicate there’s a problem. Cyberbullying and online scams targeting kids are real so you should be proactive in this regard.

You can help your teen to build the ability to deal with risks they come across online. You can be a role model for healthy internet use and remind your teen about online privacy. It’s all about helping your teen to become a responsible digital citizen.

Conclusion

Teenagers can experience various risky situations when they are online. They need to keep building their skills and knowledge to manage these safety risks effectively. As a parent, you can be a role model for internet safety. It is important to maintain open and honest conversations with your teen about privacy settings, online content, and personal information. You don’t have to hover over their shoulders all the time to help them develop a healthy relationship with the internet and know how to stay safe.

Also read:

Is My Teen Addicted to Social Media?

Why Removing Devices Doesn’t Always Work.

The post How to Talk to Teens About Online Safety first appeared on Help Your Teens.