Social Media & Live Streaming
Resources
Young individuals share intimate photos for various reasons – with both familiar faces and strangers. Unfortunately, these images often end up where they shouldn't be – in the possession of individuals who have no authority to view or distribute them. If this occurs The Internet Watch Foundation are here to provide support. Remember to think twice before sharing sensitive content.
Get advice from Internet Matters experts on the increasing impact of social media influencers on young people's lives and what you can do to ensure the influence of these influencers on your child stays positive.
Top tips on how to help your child create a positive digital footprint and make their online presence work for them
Online Challenges
How to manage the risks of online challenges.
Viral online trends attract many children and teens. Most are harmless, but some challenges can be dangerous.
Find advice and resources from parents, online safety experts and organisations to keep children safe from dangerous online challenges.
Thinking critically about news on social media.
Encourage children and young people to think critically about news they see on social media with expert advice from Internet Matter's Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov and Lauren Seager-Smith.
Children love watching videos online. This article, produced by Thinkuknow, looks at how to talk to your child about inappropriate content and keeping safe when watching videos.
Get tools and tips to support your child’s digital wellbeing on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. See guides on how to help your child navigate platforms safely.
If your child is using social networking sites to chat to friends and family or share their latest selfie, take a look at Internet Matters's list of social media guides to get you up to speed on the most popular platforms and help them set the right privacy settings.
Find expert advice to make the most of the screen time and help children share safely.
How Can Social Media Affect Body Image?
In this guidance, SWGfL look at this and how you can support a young person in your care, who may be affected by this issue.
What are social media algorithms? Advice for parents and carers.
In this guidance, SWGfL look at this and how you can support a young person in your care, who may be affected by this issue.
Is social media an obstacle to my child’s mental health?
Internet Matters expert panel explores the links between social media and mental health. Learn what you can do to help them manage their digital lives and reduce harmful risks.
SWGfL explore how Influencer Culture can impact a Young Person’s Wellbeing.
To protect and educate your children about online privacy and security, you can explore The SWGfL's Social Media Checklists which guide online users through the latest settings.
Apps & Websites
Threads app offers users a Twitter-like experience with easy links to Instagram.
Learn from Internet Matters how the app works and how you can make sure your child’s time online stays positive.
This social network app is from the creators of Musical.ly. As Musical.ly officially went offline earlier this year, TikTok (known as Douyin in China) has taken its place offering the user the ability to watch musical clips, create short clips up to 60 seconds and add special effects to them.
TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, known for its fast-paced videos and the ability to search for and visually explore content from around the world. Among its many features, the introduction of TikTok Shop has allowed users to purchase products directly through the app.
Find out more from The UK Safer Internet Centre about TikTok Shop, and how to stay safe when using it in their latest blog.
Updated information November 2023
Snapchat is an app that lets you send a photo, short video or message to your contacts. The ‘snap’ appears on screen for up to 10 seconds before disappearing, or there is an option to have no time limit. Find out more here.
BeReal is a social media app that gives users 2 minutes to upload real content of themselves. How might this impact young people and what should you watch out for?
Netaware have spoken to parents to find out what they think about YouTube. They've also asked children and young people what they think. Here's what they said......
YouTube Kids was built from the ground up to be a fun, family-friendly place for children and families. The YouTube Kids app includes both popular children's videos and diverse new content, delivered in a way that is easy to use, for children of any age.
Houseparty has become another way for young people to stay connected with their friends via video chat. As parents, it’s important to keep a few key aspects in mind if your child uses Houseparty.
Instagram is a picture and video sharing app. Users can post content and use hashtags to share experiences, thoughts or memories with an online community. You can follow your friends, family, celebrities and even companies on Instagram. Instagram allows live streaming.
SWGfL have updated the Instagram checklist for 2024. Whether you’re well established on Instagram or joining the platform for the first time, the Instagram Checklist offers easy and straightforward guidance to help protect your child's profile.
Parents need to know that Kik is an app-based alternative to standard texting as well as a social networking app for smartphones.
Live.me is a social platform that allows users to connect with others and earn virtual goods which can be exchanged for prizes, rewards and cash.
The social news website requires users to be 13 or older but is Reddit safe? Learn what teens can find on Reddit and how you can help them stay safe from the site’s risks.
Kick.com is a streaming platform that that is similar to Twitch and YouTube Live. Users can broadcast content to others in real-time and interact with creators through chat and other features.
Yubo is a chat and live streaming app, extremely popular among young people, with 3.6 million users in the UK alone. Find out more about the app here and how to keep your child safe.
Likee (formerly LIKE) is a popular global original video creation and sharing platform. A World Leading Special Effects Short Video Editing Tool
With thousands of stickers and Music Magic filters to help make ideas come to life. On Likee, everyone can create trending videos with a simple tap and become the video star of their social circles!
See what parents think of the app here.