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.
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.
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.
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.
This webinar with Professor Tracey Wade examines the links between social media, low body image and disordered eating behaviours. You’ll find a discussion of eating disorders post-pandemic, learn why cultivating positive body image is so crucial and find out more about where brand new research is showing that social media fits in to the bigger picture.
Dr Weston is joined by clinical psychologist and researcher, Dr Elly Hanson, for a discussion on this crucial topic. Scheduled originally to coincide with Internet Safety Day, this discussion will address how porn can affect children and what parents, carers and school staff need to do about it.
Join forensic psychologist, Dr Aiman El Asam, and Dr Weston in an exploration of online risks for vulnerable children. Children with existing vulnerabilities are more at risk online and Dr El Asam examines the types of risks that they encounter and talks about how to reduce and mitigate some of these.
