Helping children understand what they see online re: coronavirus from Common Sense Media

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We are all dealing with an extremely difficult and stressful time. Our devices, which are now a lifeline during lockdown, can also be a source of stress with daily news updates and notifications. For younger children, it is easier to shelter them from the news, the stories etc. but for older children, particularly those who have their own devices, this can be more difficult.

A big challenge for children is determining what is real and what is not!! It is important to talk together as a family, find out what is worrying them/concerning them, share your feelings and encourage critical thinking of content they view online.

Common Sense Media have provided a great article on “Helping Kids Sort Fact From Fiction About The Coronavirus”. They also offer some good advice on helping the family de-stress Help Your Family De-Stress During Coronavirus Uncertainty

Stay safe, connected and kind,

Maureen

Influence of Social Media on Body Image

We all make comparisons, it is human nature. We compare ourselves to others in real life and now online. However, the comparisons we make to those images we see online are often not fair -we are comparing ourselves to an illusion, an edited version of reality.

In my workshops with students across Ireland, students commonly tell me they see hundreds of images on a daily basis. This is not surprising, given that image based platforms such as Instagram, boast 95+ million pictures and videos shared daily.

The following infographics from Common Sense Media provide parents/teachers with practical tips on addressing body image with both males and females.

For more information check out Common Sense Media “Children, Teens, Media and Body Image” Report.


Book: "Sam and Sue Learn About Cybersafety"

I was delighted to get my hands on a copy of “Sam and Sue Learn About Cybersafety” this week. This beautifully illustrated book address one of the central themes in my workshops with students and parents -that is parental involvement. It provides parents/guardians/teachers with tips at the beginning of the book, outlining the 4 main rules of cybersafety. Thanks to Educational Psychologist Ann Linehan, who was commissioned by Health and Safety Publications Ltd to write this book, these rules are brought to life in a way children will not only understand but also relate to based on their online experiences. I particularly like the discussion section at the end of the book, which encourages the conversation about cybersafety to continue. Looking forward to more Sam and Sue adventures in the Children’s Safety Series.

For more information and to get your hands on a copy of “Sam and Sue Learn about Cybersafety” see https://samandsue.com/

Parents' Ultimate Guide to Smart Devices by Common Sense Media

Smart devices are increasingly becoming common place in our homes. In recent workshops with children at National School Level I have been asked questions such as “is it okay to talk to “Alexa” even though I don’t really know who she is?” “Is Alexa always right?”

The following guide from Common Sense Media is a great read for parents who have, or are considering introducing, smart technology in the home. Conversation is key, and this may help to start one.