Useful for any parent with children who use TikTok, this video provides a brief introduction and overview of the platform, explains how TikTok works, how the algorithm operates and what privacy settings there are.
This activity is designed to surface discussion about who young people follow online and why. It is also designed to provoke conversations about the importance of remaining critical about the things that we see and read online and conscious of its impact on us as individuals in terms of our attitudes and actions.
In this podcast interview, Dr Weston talks with Professor Deirdre Butler and Dr Paula Lehane about how Minecraft: Education Edition is being used in classrooms. They discuss the great potential of so called ‘sandbox’ games in children’s learning, outline current gaps in the research evidence and provide useful tips for any teachers wanting to make the most of game-based learning.
We’ve put together some discussion topics focusing on disgraced social media influencer, Andrew Tate. These questions can be used at home or in the classroom to prompt open conversations about how we can respond to toxic and harmful material online.
Understanding more about their menstrual cycle can help young people manage symptoms more effectively. Help your teen to tool up with this list of the best innovations in menstrual cycle tracking apps and sustainable, comfortable, confidence-boosting period products that are highly suitable for younger girls.
Our researcher of the month, Dr Larisa McLoughlin, talks to Dr Weston about her recent paper which examines whether or not social connectedness is a protective factor against cyberbullying’s negative impact on mental health and wellbeing. They chat about what social connectedness really is, the best ways to approach conversations about cyberbullying with young people and how schools can support strong social bonds.
Sexting refers to the consensual or non-consensual sharing of nude or semi-nude images or videos and it’s illegal for people under the age of 18. We’ve put together a quick guide, covering key things you need to know and where you can find more advice and information in the Tooled Up library.
We put together a list of brilliant apps and websites that combine on- and offscreen activities to engage children with nature. These apps are designed for both outdoor adventures and learning and encourage children do everything from creating landscapes, growing vegetables and feeding animals to identifying constellations.
Our Researchers of the Month, Dr Miriam Rahali and Professor Sonia Livingstone, talk to Dr Weston about their recent report, which examines the impact of influencer culture and embedded marketing on children. Given that 95% of YouTube videos aimed at children aged 8 and under contain advertising, and that 97% of 5-15 year olds use video-sharing platforms (with 57% spending 2.5 hours per day watching), they address the non-traditional marketing opportunities open to influencers and the impact they can have, before turning to recommendations and advice.
Sophie Medlin, consultant dietitian and Chair of the British Dietetic Association for London, joins Dr Weston to discuss risk factors and protective factors around the development of eating disorders, how to talk about food and nutrition without causing harm and supporting young people to have positive body image.
