[Parent Talk & Survey] Navigating Social Media & Adolescence

Dear Parents,

We are thrilled to invite you to a parent talk with award-winning journalist and founder of MediaMaps, Hannah Ritchie.

As you know, social media plays a significant role in the lives of young people, presenting both opportunities and challenges for their wellbeing and safety. This session is an opportunity to enhance our collective ability to safeguard our children in the increasingly complex digital landscape. The complexities of navigating the online world are currently a significant topic of discussion, as illustrated in the recent Netflix series ‘Adolescence’ (a recommended watch if you haven’t had the chance!). This session will help you to better understand and support your children in this evolving landscape.

Hannah Ritchie will also deliver her Social Media Literacy course to our Year 7–10 students and will provide social media safeguarding training to all DBIS staff.

We believe that fostering a strong understanding of social media is crucial for both our students and their parents. To help us tailor future support and resources for our parent community, and to inform Hannah’s discussion, we would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete a short, anonymous survey about your own understanding and experiences with social media and the related media discussions.

Please click on the following link to access the survey: Parent Survey 

Your honest feedback will be invaluable in helping us better understand the needs of our parent community in this important area and how the media discourse shapes your perspectives. The survey will close on Friday 25th April 2025.

Following the survey, we are delighted to offer a parent session with Hannah, where we will specifically address the challenges and opportunities presented by social media during adolescence. The demographic focus for the talk will be on Secondary-aged students; however, the discussion is open to all parents at DBIS.

During this session, you will have the chance to:

• Explore the key themes and concerns frequently discussed in the media regarding parenting teenagers and social media use;
• Learn more about the specific topics covered in Hannah’s student workshops, including setting boundaries, identifying misinformation, understanding algorithms and protecting privacy – all within the context of adolescent development;
• Gain valuable insights into the ways social media can influence young people’s mood, behaviour and self-perception during this crucial stage of life, as often portrayed and debated in the media;
• Ask Hannah your questions and engage in an open discussion about the challenges and opportunities of raising adolescents in the age of social media, considering the sometimes overwhelming media narratives;
• Discover practical strategies for fostering healthy digital habits within your family, informed by a critical understanding of both social media and its portrayal in the media.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday 20th May
• Time: 5.30pm – 6.30pm
• Location: DBIS Globe Theatre 

This is a crucial opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and engage in a meaningful conversation about a topic that significantly impacts our young people’s lives and is a constant subject of discussion in the media.

RSVP:

Please RSVP your attendance for the parent talk by 13th May 2025.

We look forward to your participation in both the survey and the important discussion with Hannah Ritchie.

Sincerely,

Jessica Hickling

Head of Wellbeing