Our seminar for parents, held in partnership with the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, explored issues around technology and the mental health of children and teenagers. The aim of our seminar was to bring together parents with experts in neuroscience, parenting, mental health and the impact of technology on all of these areas. We shared ideas and experiences, learned from pioneering work in the field and will continue with similar events to ensure that provide the best possible environment in which pupils may thrive.

1. Raising Digitally
Resilient Children
Sophie Linington
Deputy CEO – Parent Zone

2. AuthoritativeAuthoritarian UninvolvedPermissive
Parenting Styles

3. Set rules and boundaries
Have high expectations and offer high levels
of support
Warm and nurturing
Use measured and consistent consequences
Raise children who are more likely to:
• Be more resilient online
• Self-regulate
• Come to their parents with issues
The traits of an authoritative parent

4. Resilience
Parenting is the most important thing
Supportive and enabling parenting has a
more positive impact on resilience than
parental strategies that restrict or monitor
internet use

5. We define resilience as:
the ability to understand when you
are at risk online, know what to do to
seek help, and learn from experience
so you can continue to use the digital
world safely and confidently.

6. Can We Block It?
“we failed to find convincing evidence that Internet
filters were effective at shielding early adolescents
from aversive experiences online. Instead, we found
convincing evidence they were not effective in our
sample. “
Oxford Internet Institute
Dr Andy Przybylsk
Dr Victoria Nash

8. Why is critical thinking
a digital life skill?

9. We worry our children might
be……
spending too long online
sending images they shouldn’t
being bullied online
falling victim to cybercrime

10. What does a critical thinker
look like?
can identify reliable sources
doesn’t take anything at face value
understands the difference between fact and
opinion
knows not to believe everything they see or
read online

11. How can you encourage
critical thinking?
show reliable examples
encourage debate and questioning
lead by example
explain the commercial nature of the internet

12. Why is confident
communication a
digital life skill?

13. We worry our children might
be……
not talking if something goes wrong
getting into online arguments
overwhelmed by too much content
talking to people they shouldn’t

14. What does a confident
communicator look like?
talks about things that upset or worry them
shares positive content
thinks about the impact of what they say on
others
thinks about what they’re sharing

15. How can you encourage
confident communication?
no matter what’s happened, you’re there to
help
first responses matter
be open – discuss rules, don’t just set them
make sure they know who else they can talk
to if they need to

16. Why is capable tool use
a digital life skill?

17. We worry our children might
be……
sharing too much personal information
being contacted by people that make their
online life unhappy
not protecting their devices

18. What does a capable tool user
look like?
understands privacy settings on social media
knows how to block and report
understands the importance of strong
passwords
knows how to control location sharing

19. How can you encourage
capable tool use?
explain the tools are there to help them
help them find settings on the apps and games
they use
set strong passwords
not just a one off

20. Thank you
www.parentzone.org.uk
sophie@parentzone.org.uk