Cyberpsychology expert Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton discusses the best way to talk to your teen about online dating.
Top Tip: Young people need to be aware that the person they think they’re talking to might not be who they are in real life.
Cyberpsychology expert Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton talks about how to broach the topic of online pornography.
Continue reading
Author Dr Ciarán Mc Mahon breaks down the meaning of ‘social capital’ and why we need it.
Top Tip: Ask your children why they follow certain people online.
European Digital Girl of the Year Aoibheann Mangan talks about seizing the opportunities of the online world while practicing online safety.
Top Tip: Only talk online to people you know and make sure the privacy settings are activated on your devices.
Clinical psychologist Dr David Coleman explains the importance of teaching your children online empathy.
Top Tip: In the online world, children don’t get immediate feedback so you have to help them understand how their words can impact others.
It’s not easy being a parent so if you find yourself becoming anxious, try these simple ways to reduce anxiety and boost brain health
Continue reading
As the saying goes: ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup.’
Continue reading
Be honest with yourself. How would you feel if you found out your child had called Childline or used it’s text or live messaging service?
If the answer is horrified/dismayed/upset/confused, we get it. There is a misconception that if a child calls Childline it must mean that they are in some form of deep distress or crisis, that they have nowhere else to turn and that something has gone very wrong in their lives.
Occasionally, that is the case.
But more often than not, children and young people get in touch for much more mundane, but equally valid, reasons.
They’re bored, they’re lonely, they had a fight with you, they’re sick of being stuck at home, they’re worried about exams. We’re happy to talk to young people about ANYTHING that’s on their mind.
The main aim of our service is to listen, believe and support the young person at the other end of the chat. Our focus is on resilience – empowering them to find the solution that’s right for them.
Childline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It’s free, confidential and non-judgemental. Sometimes children just want to chat to someone who doesn’t know everything about them. The hope is that they will turn to you when they’re ready but in the meantime, we’re happy to listen and help them understand whatever it is they’re going through.
“For infants and young children, mental health may be defined as the capacity to grow well and love well.”
When we talk about our childhood, there are probably very few of us who can recite memories from our infant years so it can be mindboggling to grasp just how much importance they have in how we grow and develop!
In fact, it is during those pivotal early years of development that we begin to establish foundations for positive mental health and wellbeing throughout our lifespan.
Infant mental health refers to how well a child develops socially and emotionally from birth to three years and how their first relationships influence them.
Starting from birth, babies seek out human connections and before they can crawl, infants can recognise different emotions – sadness, anger and happiness – and know what tone of voice matches the appropriate facial expressions.
Babies and infants also experience all these emotions themselves. However, in these early years, infants cannot manage their feelings on their own and need help to soothe, settle and deal with them.
This is where their parents and caregivers come in to offer a trusting and safe relationship by responding and nurturing those early feelings.
So what does all that mean if you are a parent and want to promote your infant’s mental health?
There are a number of important interactions that can prepare the way for strong, healthy, social and emotional wellbeing in your infant:
ISPCC Childline is keen to hear the views of children and young people, now more than ever.
With so much uncertainty in their world, it’s vital that we continue to be there to provide relevant and engaging services to them if or when they need us most.
We want to know what’s important in their world – the music they listen to, people they admire, the things they talk about with their friends, their interests and hobbies, their wellbeing and more.
What’s their favourite TV show? Do they prefer gaming or social media? Is Snapchat still a thing?!
In order to improve and develop the services we provide, we’re asking children and young people to fill out the short survey below or at this link.
It’s anonymous, it will only take about 10 – 15 minutes of their time and they might even enjoy it!
Remember, if you ever need help or just a shoulder to lean on, the ISPCC’s Support Line service can be contacted by emailing [email protected] or between 9am – 1pm Monday – Friday by calling 01 522 4300.