References: ¹ Haidt, J. (2024). The anxious generation: How the great rewiring of childhood is causing an epidemic of mental illness. Penguin Press. ² Turkle, S. (2015). Reclaiming conversation: The power of talk in a digital age. Penguin Press. ³ European Parliament. (2026). European Parliament resolution of 26 November 2025 on the protection of minors online (2025/2060(INI)) (C/2026/1708). Official Journal of the European Union . The most important thing parents can offer is not perfect knowledge of every new platform, trend, or technology. It’s being involved. Stay curious about your child’s digital world, keep conversations open, and make sure they know they can come to you when something does not feel right. age-appropriate rules around personal information, photos, screen use, content sharing, and online interactions. Use safety and privacy tools: Review privacy settings together and use parental controls where appropriate. Revisit these settings as your child grows and technology changes. Report suspicious activity: Report harmful or suspicious content and interactions when you encounter them, and encourage your child to do the same. Make sure they know how to block and report users or content that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. build better protections and make digital platforms and AI safer for children. We’re not there yet. In the meantime, parents and other adults in children’s lives have an important role to play. We cannot keep children away from the digital world, but we can understand it better and help them navigate it more safely. Stay curious and keep talking: Take an interest in the platforms, games, and apps your child uses. Ask about their experiences and create space for honest conversations. Listen without judgment: Stay calm when your child shares something with you. They may not recognise a risky situation, but you may notice warning signs they have missed. Learn together: Talk about privacy, respectful online behaviour, harmful content, and responsible sharing. Encourage children to question what they see and check information that does not feel right. Set clear boundaries: Agree on
of biological, social, and environmental factors influences mental health. It is also not fixed; it changes throughout our lives, and digital experiences are one part of this complex picture. Talking to friends, finding supportive communities, learning, or simply having fun online can support well-being. Cyberbullying, harmful content, disrupted sleep, and constant social comparison can have the opposite effect. Many children use the digital world safely, especially when they balance it with sleep, exercise, hobbies, school, and time with friends and family. But not every child starts out the same. A teenager who already feels anxious, has low self-esteem, or feels unsure online may be more at risk for harmful content, social comparison, or unhealthy online habits. Today, the question is not simply, “How much time is my child spending online?” We should also ask, “What are they doing there? Why are they doing it? And how is it making them feel?” WHAT PARENTS CAN DO This fast-changing world means policymakers and tech companies need to
about one in five young people in Europe is thought to have a diagnosable mental health condition.¹ SO, WHAT DOES THE DIGITAL WORLD HAVE TO DO WITH IT? Mental health difficulties have always existed, and adolescence is a vulnerable stage of development. However, in the early 2010s, several countries reported a significant rise in mental health problems among Gen Z, particularly pre-teens and teenagers.¹ Rates of anxiety and depression increased, especially among girls, alongside reports of loneliness and difficulty connecting with peers. The EU report³ identifies social media pressure as one of the top five causes of mental health difficulties among minors. The World Health Organization recognises gaming addiction as a mental health disorder. Studies have linked excessive social media use to changes in brain development and capacity, as well as reduced impulse control. It is important, however, not to reduce the causes of mental health difficulties to technology alone. A complex combination
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2026 | 50
Powered by FlippingBook