There has been a lot of talk in the media about whether the internet and the constant use of devices is responsible for an increase in anxiety rates of young people seen across the modern world.

The conclusions are not clear but it would be fair to say that the internet and using devices generally are two of a number of factors involved. Climate change and the growing economic inequalities may also play a part. Also consider that as young people have embraced communicating via technology, we have helped them create a whole part of their lives that is largely adult free - their online world.

It could be that the lack of responsible adults in their online worlds could also contribute to growing anxieties.

“Even in adversity there can be opportunity and if you are at home with teenagers, this could be a time to take an interest in how they use social media and the internet by observing how they feel about it, and what concerns them and how are their friends managing things," AFLW player Jordan Ivey said.

With the current state of affairs likely to continue in some form for some time, our children will be spending even more time online, however, this may be an opportunity to get a little more involved in their online world.

“We are all having to adjust to new and changing circumstances. Whilst having the ability to communicate with our devices has made isolation a lot easier, everything, including young people and how they use their devices and the internet, needs to be considered,” Geelong recruit Josh Jenkins said.

Young people are concerned

90% of year 7 students that we surveyed in the Cyber Cats program in 2019 have specific concerns about communicating with devices. It is clear that social media and messaging platforms have added another complicating layer to the lives of young people and they are well aware of this.

TOP Three areas of concern

• Being sent a nude from someone unknown
• Body Shaming
• Cyberbullying

What you can do?

Cyberbullying can take many forms, it could be abuse or being pestered to send nudes or being excluded from groups. Adolescent’s brains are still developing, and their sense of risk and consequence are still developing too. Added to this is the need to develop friendship groups and not to be left out.

Forming social groups can be very challenging for young people and the added complexity of communicating with devices seems to be one driver of increasing anxiety rates in our adolescents

How to tell if your child is having negative experiences online?

• Being upset after using the internet or their phone
• Changes in personality, becoming more withdrawn, anxious, sad or angry
• Appearing more lonely or distressedUnexpected sudden changes in friendship group
• Decline in the standard of school work
• A decline in physical health
• Becoming secretive about internet or phone use

Options

• Try to have calm conversations no matter where things head, if young people think they may upset you, they might not tell you what is going on.
• Acknowledge that managing social situations, especially online is difficult and that you are there to support their decision making, not tell them what to do.
• Do not make loss of the internet or their phone a consequence if things go wrong, they most likely will not tell you anything.
• Discuss behaviour on the internet and elsewhere and help your child develop their own standards
• Make sure you and your child are aware of the e-Safety Commissioners website and the resources it contains.
• Help your child identify people they would talk to if they were having online related issues- perhaps a friend in the first instance, an adult at school and of course yourself.
• Make a family internet contract that sets out rules for the whole family to follow such as:
  • No devices I rooms at night
  • Accessing the internet in common areas of the house
  • Time limits on recreational internet use
  • Privacy and location settings on apps checked. (e-safety website can provide advice on app settings)

Simonds Homes and Headspace, proud partners of Cyber Cats and #BeKindOnLine campaign