Social media, gaming and apps
Resources, guidance and information for education practitioners, learners, and families on social media gaming and other apps.
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What you need to know
Social media, gaming and apps have become integral in our day to day lives. Using social media, gaming and other apps can be beneficial to children and young people as a way to keep in touch with friends, stay entertained or be informed about the latest news.
Generative AI (GenAI) can be used to generate text, images or other media, making it increasingly prevalent in social media, gaming and other apps. The more data an app collects on a user, the more personalised the experience. It is important that children and young people understand that their interactions with GenAI may be monitored or exploited for targeted advertising or other purposes.
While apps have become a user friendly way to communicate and access the internet through different devices, it's essential to know how to use them safely.
It is important to be aware of what sort of content they include and what safety features are available for children and young people to report or block users or content and control their privacy.
Welsh Government guidance
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Practices and principles for schools' use of social media
This guidance focuses on the possible uses of social media for schools.
Training
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Social media training for schools
This 10 minute video is designed to help schools understand relevant guidance to help develop social media policies and practice.
App guides for families
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'In the know'
'In the know' Designed and created specifically with parents and carers in mind, this collection of guides equips you with the key information you should know about the most popular social media and gaming apps to help your child navigate their digital journey safely.
View from the experts
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The complexity of being a digital citizen: Helen King, Director at Praesidio Safeguarding
Helen discusses the complexity for children and young people growing up in a space where digital technology is omnipresent.
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A review of harmful content online: Jim Gamble QPM, Chief Executive Officer of the INEQE Safeguarding Group
Jim talks about the impact that harmful behaviours exhibited by online personalities or influencers can have and provides advice on how to support someone who has been exposed to or is engaging with harmful content.
Keeping your social media experience positive
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Stay true to yourself online
Sometimes we can feel under pressure to create the best impression of our lives online. Here are some tips to help you keep your social media experience positive.
In-game spending
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Don't let spending be the game
Spending money while gaming is an area of growing concern, particularly in games aimed at children and young people.
Influencers
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The 'influencer' effect
Social media offers the potential to capture the attention of a large audience and people can become overnight celebrities or outright brands, known as ‘influencers’.
Resources
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Learning and teaching resources
Resources to support schools and the wider school community with social media.
Information for children and young people
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Advice for children and young people: online issues and worries
Information which explains some risks to be aware of and where to go for help.
Further information
- Internet Matters social media advice hub
- Internet Matters online gaming advice hub
- UK Safer Internet Centre: Social media
- UK Safer Internet Centre: Gaming
- Parents and carers guide to sharing information and images online
- Family guide to talking about social media
- Family guide to talking about online gaming
- Practitioner’s guide to body image and social media
- Family guide to talking about sharing photos and videos
- Practitioner’s guide to using social media
- Family guide to talking about healthy relationships and the internet
- Family guide to viral online harmful challenges and hoaxes
- Guidance on extended reality technology
