Police helping to guide parents through social media controls
Specialist officers have compiled a new guide aimed at helping parents and guardians navigate parental controls for their children when using social media.
With children and young people living in an increasingly digital age, Dorset Police’s Digital Capabilities Unit has been working to compile a useful guide for parents around some of tools they can use to help keep their loved ones safe online.
It aims to support parents and guardians to have open conversations with children around their use of social media and offers practical tips on options that are available to help make their use of social media as safe as possible.
It covers a range of social media providers as well as gaming platforms that youngsters might be using, as well as offering signposting to sites where parents and guardians can seek further support.
Detective Inspector Andy Brix, from the Digital Capabilities Unit, said: “This guide has been carefully compiled by my team to offer parents and guardians some really practical advice on how to keep children safe online such as activating parental controls for some online platforms.
“We understand social media is playing a big role in the lives of young people, increasingly influencing how they both learn and socialise.
“We also acknowledge for some adults they may want to understand more about this complex digital world and how they can help mitigate any risks, while allowing their children to maximise the positive opportunities that social media can offer.
“We sincerely hope this guide will help parents have a greater understanding of these platforms and will encourage open conversations with young people around the responsible use of social media and gaming platforms.
“We all have a part to play in keeping children safe online and by being informed, families can make safer choices together.”
An online version of the guide can be found at Social media user guide | Dorset Police.