Spotlight on Safeguarding

One of the essential aspects of growing up is forming relationships, whether romantic or platonic. Developing new relationships can teach us how to handle and understand emotions, increase communication skills, boost self-confidence, and create a sense of belonging. These relationships may have their highs and lows, and as a parent or caregiver, it's crucial to be observant and provide guidance and encouragement to your child.

Healthy relationships or friendships are built on mutual respect and support. These relationships are based on trust, and although they require effort, they should not be one-sided or leave one party feeling drained. A toxic relationship, on the other hand, often involves an uneven distribution of power, leading to a roller coaster of emotions that swings between temporary highs and devastating lows for one of the parties involved. Unfortunately, this can have a significant impact on the mental well-being of the individual.

Online grooming, with the intention of radicalising children and young people, is more common than many people assume. Social media platforms have made it easier for children to access extremist material, which can be used to promote hateful views towards others. This can be especially dangerous as algorithms can suggest more and more similar content to young people who engage with this type of material. Even if you believe your child is not susceptible to online grooming, they may have ‘friends’ who are vulnerable. Children and young people may be unaware that they are being groomed as they believe they have made friends online rather than being recruited. Therefore, it is essential for parents and caregivers to understand the warning signs of online groomers. How to Keep Your Child Safe Online As a parent, the best way to protect your child online is through open communication. Discussing the dangers of online grooming and extremist content with your child is a good way to raise awareness. It is also crucial to emphasise that not everything they read online is true.

What Parents Should Know About BeReal: The more often someone uses the app, the more features they unlock, including the ability to post their BeReal on other social media sites, as well as seeing posts from unknown users.

BeReal does not permit photo filtering, which distinguishes it from other apps that encourage flawless images. This can expose children to online bullying from their peers. Failing to post within the two-minute time limit can cause anxiety and stress for young users.

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