Page 32 - Silver Lakes July Issue 2023

TODAY’S CHILD

What should parents do?
You have no control over the way others
behave online, but you can make sure
that your child knows where to go to get
support should anything like the distressing
situations crop up – and that they know the
lines of reporting problematic behaviour; in
other words, who to tell first.

Since prevention is better than cure, here’s
what parents can do at home to increase
their child’s awareness of the dangers of
online communication:
• Make conversations about the online
world a part of your family’s routine chats.
• Take an interested and positive approach
to the internet. This helps your child see
you as someone they can talk to about
online problems.
• Discuss with your child what a healthy
friendship or relationship should feel like. out. Reassure them that reporting is understands that this is an important part
What sorts of things do friends or partners anonymous, and that it is most effective of online friendships and relationships.
do online that support each other? What when users explain the context and • Encourage your teen to actively support
sorts of things can they do online that details of the unacceptable behaviour others online and to know what steps to
would upset or worry your child? they are reporting. take if they need to help others report
• Help them recognise the difference • Explore parental controls on your offences.
between healthy behaviour and teenager’s phone. You can do things like • Encourage blocking and reporting online.
unacceptable behaviour online. Give block adult content and control screen
them some ways they can say no or get time. How to help your teen
out of an uncomfortable situation. • Listen, and be available. Create
• Make sure they know they can ask for How do I stop my teen from doing it to opportunities for you and your teen to
help from an adult. Go as far as naming others? talk together. They may not be ready
those adults. Make a list of people they • As recommended above, make to talk the first time you ask. Revisit
can go to – not only the obvious such as conversations about online behaviour a conversations often by scaffolding
teachers or the school psychologist, but normal part of family chats. This is done previous conversations.
perhaps also throw in a name or two of by taking an interested and positive • Acknowledge that teens and adults use
trusted adults outside of the learning approach towards what happens online. the internet differently. Your teen may
environment. Doing so helps your child see you as know more than you about how different
• Discuss what is and what is not a someone they can talk to about online apps and sites work, and the way
reasonable request from someone problems. harassment can happen online. Listen
online. Teens are still learning about their • Teach respect and empathy from an early and use this to understand the context of
personal boundaries. Peer pressure can age, so that kindness becomes the norm. what has happened.
cause them to doubt themselves and • Teenagers are starting to explore their • Remain non-judgemental and calm. What
take unreasonable risks. Help them have sexuality. They are experimenting with your teen tells you may be hard to hear.
confidence to trust their instincts. their identity and, often, are experiencing Take some time out to come to terms
• Talk to your child about nude images their first relationship. Create an open with it.
online. Have there been problems with and supportive environment to show your • Show empathy and understanding. Let
nude images getting shared around their child that it’s safe to explore these topics your teen know that you believe them,
peer group? How does your child feel with you and ask questions. and allow them to explain what has
about that? Be mindful not to blame • Use the correct terminology for sexual happened in their own time.
anyone who has had their image shared anatomy or behaviour and encourage • Ask open questions, for example: “What
without their consent. your teen to do the same. Calmly and happened?” or “What can I do to help?”,
• Ensure that your child knows what appropriately challenge any inappropriate instead of questions that suggest blame,
safety tools are available online. Teens language your teen may use. like: “Why did you do that?”
sometimes think reporting and blocking • Talk about asking permission before • Be honest. If you are not sure what to
is pointless, or they will be found posting or sharing things, so your teen do next, explain that you need time to

30 | INTRAMUROS JULY 2023