IT’S PRETTY EASY to get confused about the social media platforms or games your children use. Between BeReal, Snapchat and Discord, it’s hard to keep up with the changing ways children are spending their time online.
Children these days have grown up with technology, and for parents and teachers it can feel like the kids under their care know a lot more about social media than you.
With technology moving faster than ever before, it’s important to check in with your child and get to know how they spend their time online. A simple way to start is by taking an interest in your child’s world, and engaging in open and helpful conversations with your kids about their online activities.
By starting the conversation early and setting out clear rules and guidance around online behaviour and internet use, you can help your child enjoy safe and positive online experiences.
There are also a host of free supports and resources provided for parents and teachers on Webwise.ie, including talking points and practical how to guides.
Technology changes all the time and it can be easy to become overwhelmed, Webwise provides parents/guardians with practical and manageable steps to support children online. Starting the conversation can be the tricky part which is why we developed the Talk Listen Learn topic generator; a free tool to help families discuss online safety at home,” said Jane McGarrigle; Project Officer, Webwise.
But what apps and games do parents need to know about? Here are four of the most popular for young people in Ireland – and exactly what parents should know about them.
Some of you might have witnessed a gang of teens sitting at a table, before one of them shouts “BE REAL”, at which point a phone is pulled out and they all take pictures.
BeReal has grown massively in popularity since 2022. The app notifies all of its users at a random time that it’s time to take a photo from both your front and back camera on your phone. BeReal is popular with teenagers as an alternative from the more polished and curated content that can be seen on other social media platforms.
What makes this app different from other photo-sharing sites like Instagram? There’s no way to plan when your BeReal notification will arrive and as soon as it does, you have two minutes to post the photos. If you miss this window, your followers are notified that you posted your BeReal late.
With BeReal, users don’t set their account to private or public. Every time you post, you can choose to post your BeReal privately (My friends only) or publicly (Discovery). Unlike other apps, it doesn’t have Direct/Private messaging, but users can react to other posts.
Posts are only live for 24 hours, with users unable to see what posts have previously been shared. Similar to Story posts on apps like Snapchat and Instagram. Find out more about BeReal here.
You’re probably already aware, but YouTube is a video sharing service where users can create their own account, watch and share videos, comment on and even upload their own videos.
One of the main things for parents to know about YouTube is that with over 300 hours of footage uploaded to the platform every minute, not all of it is appropriate for children. However, YouTube has a Safety Mode which can be activated which sifts through and removes mature or inappropriate content from search results. It works as an “opt-in” function so it must be activated by the user.
Comment sections on YouTube also have the potential for cyberbullying and negativity. It’s a good idea to recommend disabling comments on their own profile/channel if your child has one.
The YouTube algorithm also recommends videos based on what it thinks each individual user will like, so it’s a good idea to have a conversation with your child to explain how the algorithm works. They may only be seeing a narrow range of content and it’s important they understand that what they’re seeing is not the same as everyone else. Learn more here.
Snapchat is one of the most popular apps among Irish teens today and allows users to share photos, videos, text, and drawings. Unlike most other social media platforms, the messages disappear from the recipient’s phone after a few seconds.
Stories last for 24 hours and can be viewed more than once, and it’s important to note that while messages disappear once they have been opened, they can be easily screenshotted.
Because of the temporary nature of Snapchat, it’s easy for teens to forget that not everything disappears from the internet. Having open conversations with your teens about appropriate and unacceptable uses and messages on Snapchat is a good idea. It’s also important to understand the app’s privacy settings, and about the type of content being shared, and who it is potentially being shared with. Learn more about Snapchat and privacy settings here.
Fortnite is one of the most popular video games on the market. Playable on most consoles including PCs, an estimated 125 million users enjoy Fortnite. The game itself is a Battle Royale, where players compete with each other to be the last one standing.
The game is extremely popular with young users thanks to colourful animations and engaging graphics. Epic Games constantly update the game with new maps, offers, and ways to play. You can play in groups of two or more and chat to other players on headsets or text chat during the game.
One concern parents have with Fortnite is how much their child plays the game. You can limit their screen time, depending on which device your child uses. Other safety concerns include the anonymity offered by the game, which can often lead to harmful language being used and being put with other users who your child may not be friends with.
Lastly, the in-game virtual currency offers users a chance to buy different items, such as ‘skins’ (player costumes) and tools. Talk with your child about in-app purchases and how they must get your permission before buying items, as outlined in Fortnite’s terms of use. Learn more about Fortnite here.
1. Start the conversation
Introduce your children to the internet and try to find websites that are exciting and fun so that together you achieve a positive attitude to internet exploration. This could make it easier to share both positive and negative experiences in the future.
2. Create a family agreement
Try and reach an agreement with your child around guidelines for internet use in your household. These can include the length of time they use the internet, how they behave towards others online, and also rules around sharing personal information. You can find more information on this from Webwise here.
3. Help them choose games and other apps carefully
Familiarise yourself with apps or gaming your child is interested in using the Webwise Explainers. The age ratings that come with games, apps and social networks are a good guide to finding suitable activities for your child. Another great way is to use the app or game yourself, helping you understand potential pitfalls they might have.
4. Getting the balance right
While the internet offers countless educational and social opportunities, it’s essential to strike a balance. By having a discussion around their time online, you can help your teenager develop a healthy relationship with technology. Agree clear boundaries for screen time, ensuring they have dedicated offline hours for homework, family time and to ensure a good night’s sleep.
5. If something goes wrong online
Having a good, open relationship around your child’s use of apps and games can be vital should something go wrong. No matter what it is, the best way of dealing with problems is to speak to someone and get help. Always encourage them to talk to you about anything they find upsetting online.
Webwise is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre. Webwise is co-funded by the Department of Education and co-financed by the European Commission. Webwise.ie promotes safer, better Internet use through awareness raising and education initiatives targeting teachers, children, young people and parents.
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