Most apps/platforms that offer the feature of expiring content have a minimum age restriction. These are there because of data-protection legislation and to help protect children from accessing anything that may worry or upset them.
Most of these services are 13+ however some, such as WhatsApp, are 16+. We know that by the end of primary school, lots of children will be asking to access these apps/sites, and research shows that a large number of children have created at least one social media profile before they are at the correct age to do so.
Before young people start using social media, it is important that they are equipped with the skills to stay safe online and to use these services responsibly. If you work with children under the age of 13 who are interested in, or already using, social media with expiring content features, here are some top tips for you.
Maintaining an open and honest dialogue with the children you work with, and showing interest in their online activities, will help them feel more comfortable coming to you when they need help.
Top tips:
- Keep an open dialogue – Reassure the children you work with that they can always come to you if they have any questions or worries about something that has been shared online, even if it has disappeared or expired.
- Advise parents to set up and explore together – If you know that the children you work with have, or are thinking of setting up new accounts, advise parents and carers to set up any new accounts together with their child so they can make sure the correct privacy and safety features are in place. They could also spend some time on the platforms together initially so they can see what happens within the platform, support them with any worries and establish boundaries for sharing content, expiring and permanent. Visit Common Sense Media for reviews and information about apps or services the children you work with are using, or wants to use.
- Help children to make safe choices – Make sure the children you work with know not to share their personal information or anyone else’s when posting any kind of content online. This could be whilst chatting within a game, sending a video or sharing pictures. It is possible to set profiles to private or friends only, which restricts access only to those who have been granted permission to see it.
- Encourage children to think carefully before posting expiring content – For adults and children alike, it’s important to ask: am I happy for anyone online to see this? Remind the children you work with that just because something expires, doesn’t mean it disappears and that someone can screenshot and share it on. This is also a great opportunity to remind children about the importance of keeping personal information safe online.
- Report any inappropriate behaviour – Sites should have clear, prominent and accessible places to make a report. Providers should respond promptly to reports from users, and some will acknowledge each report with a confirmation that it has been received and provide indication of the timescale in which the complaint will be managed. Make sure you talk with the children you work with about these tools and ensure that they know how to use them.
- Promote positivity – Encourage children to use expiring content in a positive way. This could be sending a funny selfie to a friend from school to cheer them up or wishing someone they know a Happy Birthday!
Our SMART cartoons provide great safety tips for children aged 8-11, and they may also enjoy exploring our primary pages.