How can you help your child navigate differing views?
It is important to help your child understand that not everyone holds the same point of view as them. To help them navigate these differing viewpoints, you can guide them to stand by and express their opinions confidently online while still respecting the opinions of others.
For example, you can encourage your child to keep an open mind and provide them with opportunities to access information, enabling them to consider issues from multiple perspectives.
How can your child manage
negative comments?
It can be hard to completely avoid negative comments when interacting with others online. However, you can encourage your child to create a positive presence online by exercising empathy and respect when responding to others.
For example, you can:
Correct them if you notice them engaging in negative online behaviours (e.g. sending unkind messages) and help them understand why their actions are wrong
Encourage them to share with you or a trusted adult their thoughts and feelings about upsetting comments (whether directed at them or not) and assure them it is perfectly fine to not respond
Reassure them that it is not a sign of weakness to consider using available in-app features to turn off comments and notifications when a negative online comment is directed at them
You can also explore with them other ways they can press on to bring about the positive change they want to see online such as practising Stop-Think-Do and T.H.I.N.K. before responding to negative comments.