The internet can be an amazing resource which enables children and young people to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices. However, being able to keep up to date with your children’s use of technology can be a challenge. 

An increasing amount of research is being published about the effects of the internet, social media and smart phones on our mental health and well-being. We hear reports of children being exposed to totally unsuitable / frightening content,  being bullied online, and more recently that the use of smart phones has been linked to falling education standards around the world. Smart phones and tablets have been labelled as ‘experience blockers’ and this is especially damaging for children who need face to face interactions to learn language, social skills and to feel a real connection with real people.

At our school, we have noticed more issues affecting children which have arisen from the use of mobile phones / tablets / group chats and the internet in general outside school over the last few years. Parents come under tremendous pressure from their children to have a smart phone, because they feel they are missing out if they don’t have one.  As educators and parents these trends are worrying and sometimes even overwhelming.

However as well as the wealth of worrying trends that are appearing, there is also an increasing number of people who want to work together to improve the situation. We would love our school community to be part of this work. We hope to use this part of our website to share information and research with you, and signpost you to useful sites where you can find out more.

The video below summarises why we feel this issue is worth raising with everyone in our school community and beyond.

A Stolen Childhood

Watch time 11:24 minutes

9 in 10 children are given a smartphone by the age of eleven. How is unlimited internet and/or social media access affecting our children's sense of well-being? Current research suggests that the messages they receive during these formative years can shape our children's beliefs about themselves and the world around them - sometimes adversely affecting their mental health.

Find out more

There will be many different viewpoints and needs amongst our school community, so we have categorised the information. Click on the links that are of interest to find out more. We are very much at the start of our journey, and so would love to hear your experiences and share any expertise that you have. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss any of the issues raised here.

Sites for you and your child

 Click the image below to take you to the relevant Thinkuknow site