In this episode of ‘Navigating the Digital Jungle,’ Sue Atkins is joined by Angeline Corvaglia and Tara Jones as they delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by digital technology for children with additional or special needs.
They discuss the impact of social media on mental health, particularly for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), offering tips on managing screen time and fostering positive online interactions.
The episode features insights from the Internet Matters report and includes practical advice on parental controls and establishing clear boundaries.
Special guest Dr Beth Moseley, MBE, provides expert commentary on child and adolescent mental health in the digital age, while emphasising the importance of balanced tech use, parental involvement, and open communication.
Links to articles and websites mentioned:
https://www.internetmatters.org/connecting-safely-online/ Internet Matters
The Life Online for Children with SEND report
https://www.facebook.com/groups/specialneedsjungle/
https://www.instagram.com/protectyoungeyes/?hl=en
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/specialfunctional-needs
https://navigatingthedigitaljungle.com/screen-free-summer-change/
Info about Dr Beth Mosley and links:
Dr Beth Mosley MBE is a distinguished consultant clinical psychologist who specialises in children’s mental health. She has worked in the NHS for over twenty years, providing specialist mental health support and developing innovative mental health provisions in schools. Dr Beth’s contribution to children’s mental health during the pandemic was recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List with an MBE. She regularly speaks on BBC and ITV local news as well as BBC radio stations about young people’s mental health and was named one of 2022’s Suffolk 100 influential leaders. Dr Beth is the author of Happy Families: How to Protect and Support Your Child’s Mental Health, published throughout the world. Dr Beth’s mission revolves around bridging the gap between psychological theory and practical application – in the context of what is happening today for young people – to ensure everyone has access to this information in a way that feels relatable and relevant to them.
https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/dr-beth-mosley-mbe/happy-families/9781035017454 My book: https://amzn.eu/d/0igdrALr
Family Tech Planners https://www.commonsensemedia.org/family-tech-planners
For Education: https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship/curriculum
X – @drbethmosley
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drbethmosley?igsh=MW8xMjA0M3B0eWFyaA ==
Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@drbethmosley?_t=8nIlOUmNx0i&_r=1
Threads @drbethmosley
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/beth.mosley.378
The episode concludes with listener questions and tips for creating a tech-free summer.
00:00 Introduction to Navigating the Digital Jungle
00:46 Understanding the Needs of Children with SEND
03:16 Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
04:43 Tips for Managing Screen Time
09:25 Fostering Positive Online Interactions
12:19 Supportive Online Communities
16:14 Balancing Self-Care for Parents
18:00 Navigating ADHD and Technology
20:42 Interview with Dr. Beth Moseley
41:57 Awkward Conversations and Technology
43:20 Parenting in the Digital Age
44:26 The Importance of Boundaries
45:20 Parental Controls and Challenges
50:02 Understanding the Dopamine Crash
54:01 Creating Family Digital Rules
57:02 Beth’s Books and Resources
01:04:11 Listener Questions and Tips
01:12:15 Screen-Free Summer Challenge
01:15:41 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Thank you to our global digital wellness partners World Digital Detox Day.
The ‘World Digital Detox Day’ initiative was set up by Zep Wellness Foundation, a nonprofit organisation on a mission to empower wellness worldwide. The foundation strongly believes in setting healthy guidelines and boundaries for society’s relationship with technology. By starting this education from an early age, they aimed to prevent the development of ”digital dementia” and preserve essential elements of human interaction and well-being in an era dominated by technology.