The Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force (KOHS), co-led by SAMHSA and the NTIA, released a new report with recommendations and best practices for safer social media and online platform use for youth.
The full report provides a summary of the risks and benefits of social media on the health, safety, and privacy of young people; best practices for parents and caregivers; recommended practices for industry; a research agenda; and suggested future work, including for the federal government.
View or download a PDF of the full report.
New Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Ensuring the online safety of children and teens has become a top priority for parents and caregivers. To support this crucial need, new resources have been developed to equip families with the knowledge and tools to protect young people in online environments.
— Building Healthy Relationships with Media: Essential Skills for Children 10 and Younger
Children build media habits and preferences from a very young age. These practical strategies build balance, critical thinking, self-regulation, and safety skills for toddlers through elementary school-aged children. View or download a PDF of the strategies.
We have more great resources on online safety! Check out our podcast on teaching kids about digital citizenship.
— Conversation Starters for Families of Tweens and Teens
This resource provides ideas and examples parents and guardians can use to frame conversations with youth around common scenarios involving technology, social media, and video games. View or download a PDF the conversation starters.
— Social Media, Online Safety, and Youth Mental Health Fact Sheet
This fact sheet highlights best practices and resources for parents and caregivers for social media, online safety and youth mental health. View or download a PDF of the fact sheet.
Additional Resources
Additional resources are available through the SAMHSA-funded Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, run by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) | Online Health and Safety for Children and Youth: Best Practices for Families and Guidance for Industry, https://www.samhsa.gov/kids-online-health-safety-task-force/kohs-report-safe-internet-use | Public domain. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
