Image: Rodion Kutsaiev / unsplash.com
With headlines championing phone bans in schools, restricting social media for under-16s, and even proposing a nostalgic return to “dumb phones” to combat online harm, it’s easy to see why responsible adults might feel anxious about their children’s digital lives.
So what does the evidence say actually works?…
Research experts from the Universities of Surrey and Bedfordshire share new evidence on children’s use of smartphones and exposure to social media, emerging from their direct work with young people and schools.
Dr Emily Setty, Dr Robyn Muir, and Jonny Hunt discuss research-backed recommendations for fostering healthy digital habits. They dispel common myths about the risks and challenges of being online while offering practical strategies to keep young people safe.
Their insights will empower parents, young people, and school staff to engage in open, honest conversations about digital life.
Topics include navigating relationships, mental health, and well-being in a digital age, with an emphasis on the complexities of parenting and supporting young people’s rights online.