You will be aware of significant media coverage of the risks associated with young people's digital lives, not least the recently introduced social media ban for under 16s in Australia. Research tells us that most young people make no distinction between their lives on and offline and many remain unaware of the potential dangers that await them; cyber bullying, increasing anxiety and mental health difficulties resulting from constant exposure to unattainable ideals, concentration and sleep deficits caused by being bombarded by rapidly changing content, as well as the potential dangers to their personal safety presented by online contact with strangers. Cases of grooming and sextortion remain all too frequent in Suffolk schools.

Open conversations around young people's online lives can be challenging for many reasons. Teenagers are fiercely protective of their privacy, can often be embarrassed by the negative consequences of their online actions and too afraid to speak about what they have done. Most teenagers also believe that adults simply don't understand the rapidly changing online world in which they immerse themselves. The Children's Commissioner, in recognition of all of the above, has recently published this guide;

‘What I wish my parents or carers knew…’: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives

We hope you will find the content useful in giving you hints and tips; about how to start an honest conversation with your child, how to monitor their digital life in ways that minimise confrontation, and most significantly, how to reassure yourself that they are safe and happy in all aspects of their daily life.