Navigating the digital world in which young people live, is a relatively recent challenge for parents and families. Finding a good strategy for this complex online environment is not a straightforward task. We often feel unable to deal with the challenges and may feel lost when trying to offer guidance. Young people themselves may appear confident and knowledgeable in their navigation of digital realms yet their maturity level and judgement still needs to grow. These are common questions that parents often ask:
How can I support our young people?
What sort of challenges do they face?
What are the rules of the country?
What is the best strategy for approaching online topics?
How can I keep your child safer?
What skills do they need to judge and anticipate different situations?
When online, a child can encounter many different obstacles and situations that are hard to decipher. Meanwhile their peers will have an influence and create expectations. Other families will set different parameters and rules.
In my workshop I will:
- Explore the online environment that young people are experiencing
- Look at legal boundaries
- Give you practical strategies to approach online behaviour with your family
- Look at how to set boundaries at home that are reasonable
- Share resources that will help you navigate tricky conversations
- Share resources that you can use with your child to understand some of the benefits and pitfalls of online environments
- Help you structure support for your child within your own context to create open dialogue
- Answer your questions about this topic
I have been giving support and guidance to parents about social media use, gaming, online risks and benefits for more than thirty years. As a teacher and school leader with responsibility for digital learning and policy, I have developed a broad and specific understanding of the challenges families face. I offer workshops for parent groups and communities seeking support and advice.
If your organisation or parent group would like to arrange a session please get in touch via my contact page.
Digital-Liz 