Children and young people spend a lot of time online, and as a parent it can be really hard to navigate what is going on. The key here is to be informed, keep the conversation going and remember the positives.
Remember that the online world has many benefits for young people – even if something’s gone wrong they will still want to be part of it.
Young people’s personal and sexual development may be influenced by the online world – what they see, the spaces they visit and the behaviours and expectations from celebrities, friends and strangers. As a parent/carer you might worry about things like pornography, young people sharing intimate images and general online safety.
Sexual behaviour online often mirrors sexual pressure in the real world. Try having open and honest discussions around sex and relationships at home, including issues around consent and respect.