PSHE News

Healthy Social Media Use

Social media is great for staying connected, but scrolling mindlessly for hours can leave you feeling drained.

Algorithms are designed to show you more of what you already click on. Over time, this creates an echo chamber, an environment where you only see opinions that agree with your own, making extreme or misleading views seem like common sense. 

Here are some tips for using social media more effectively:

• Tailor Your Feed: If an account consistently makes you feel anxious, insecure, or annoyed, hit unfollow or mute.

• Set Boundaries: Try turning off non-essential notifications or using screen-time limits so you remain in control of your time. There are apps you can download to limit your screen time - why not give them a go? 

• Check The Source: Before sharing or believing news online, double-check where it came from.

• Protect Your Data: Keep your personal details private, update your passwords regularly, and avoid oversharing personal location info.

Bullying and Friendships

Remember: Online interactions should build you up, not tear you down.

• Recognise digital boundaries: Cyberbullying isn't just direct abuse; it includes excluded group chats, sharing private photos without permission, or persistent unwanted messages.

• Take action: If you or a friend are experiencing toxicity online, screenshot the evidence, block the user, and report it to the platform or college staff.

• Be wary: If you plan to meet up with someone you met online, make sure you do it in a public place, let family and friends know where you are and who you are meeting, and try to bring someone along with you if you can. 

Smart and Ethical Use of AI

AI tools like ChatGPT can be brilliant assistants for brainstorming and getting unstuck, but how you use them matters.

Fin out more about using AI using the C.H.E.C.K Method using by clicking on the image below.