05/11/2025

Tips for Parents this Social Media Kindness Day

Why Social Media Kindness Day matters

Social Media Kindness Day, is a movement dedicated to making online spaces more positive and compassionate. Held each year on November 9th, in memory of TV presenter Caroline Flack, the day reminds us to “be kind” and to think before we post. As the first generation of social media users, we have the responsibility to shape it into a place that uplifts rather than harms. Every comment and interaction leaves an imprint — Social Media Kindness Day encourages us to make those imprints kind, fostering a culture of respect and empathy online for generations to come.

For parents in the UK, it’s a perfect moment to pause, reflect, and have meaningful conversations with our children about how they use social media. Whether your child is taking their first steps online or already living much of their social life there, we can help them be kind, confident, and safe — without feeling that we’re constantly “spying” or controlling.

💬 Why this matters

Social media can be inspiring; helping children learn, connect, and express themselves. But it can also be overwhelming or unkind. We’ve all seen how a careless comment can spread quickly or how comparison can make even confident teens feel small.

The goal isn’t to ban or control every moment online, but to equip our children to make thoughtful choices and handle challenges kindly and safely. And kindness begins at home: when children see us pause before posting, speak positively online, and show empathy, they’re learning from our example.

🌱 Age-by-Age Tips for Raising Kind Digital Citizens

Primary (5–10 years)

At this age, most children’s social media use should still be heavily supervised, if it happens at all. Focus on teaching empathy and manners online just as you would in real life.

Try:

• Set clear limits for screen time and which apps are allowed. Many popular platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat) have age 13 + restrictions
• Use family-friendly platforms and child-specific accounts with high privacy settings
• Sit beside them while using apps: make it a shared experience rather than something secretive
• Talk about kind commenting: how words can help or hurt. Try a “kind comment challenge” together for Social Media Kindness Day
• Explain that if someone says something unkind, they should come straight to you. Praise them for telling you, not for “dealing with it alone.”

Tweens (11–14 years)

This is when many children start joining social networks or messaging groups. They’re learning independence — but still need gentle guidance.

Try:

• Talk openly, not critically. Ask what they enjoy online, what makes them laugh, or what stresses them out. Show genuine interest before offering advice
• Encourage them to pause before posting: “Would I say this face-to-face?” or “How would I feel reading this?”
• Set up parental controls (available on iPhones, Android, and broadband routers) to filter harmful content and explain that these are for safety, not mistrust
• Agree on device-free times, like before bed or during meals, to keep balance
• If unkindness happens, teach them to save screenshots, block/report, and talk to you or a teacher
• Model good digital wellbeing: let them see you putting your phone down too.

Teens (15–18 years)

Older teens crave independence, and they deserve trust. The best protection now is open communication and helping them manage their own wellbeing.

Try:

• Have adult conversations about reputation, pressure and comparison online. Encourage them to curate what they follow, so their feed uplifts rather than drains them
• Discuss how kindness isn’t weakness, it’s courage. Standing up for others or stepping away from drama takes real strength
• Agree on mutual respect for privacy: you won’t read their messages, but they’ll come to you if something serious happens
• Encourage digital breaks when social media feels too much, it’s okay to step away
• Remind them that everyone’s highlight reel hides the full story. Being kind includes being kind to yourself

🧭 Practical Ways to Keep Kids Safe — Without Being Controlling

• Parental controls: Use built-in safety tools from your broadband provider or device (like Sky Broadband Shield, Google Family Link, or Apple Screen Time) to block inappropriate content or limit usage hours
• Privacy settings: Go through them together and help your child understand who can see what they post
• Regular check-ins: Instead of surprise “phone inspections”, try weekly chats; “How’s your online world this week?”
• Agreed limits: Create a simple family media plan; what’s okay to share, when devices go off, and how to handle new apps
• Positive modelling: Let your child see you using social media thoughtfully; celebrating others, being respectful, and avoiding online negativity

💗 When Things Go Wrong — Dealing with Unkindness Online

Even with all the right precautions, hurtful moments can happen. Here’s what helps:

• Listen first. Stay calm and give your child space to talk. They need empathy, not interrogation
• Reassure them. Tell them it’s not their fault and that everyone deserves kindness
• Save evidence. Take screenshots if bullying or harassment occurs
• Report or block. Use in-app tools to report offensive content
• Seek support. Talk to school safeguarding staff if peers are involved, or contact Childline (0800 1111) or the UK Safer Internet Centre for guidance
• Focus on recovery. Encourage time offline, activities they enjoy, and positive friendships

🌈 Kindness Starts With Us

Social Media Kindness Day (9 November 2025) is more than a date, it’s a reminder that kindness online isn’t optional, it’s powerful.

Every kind comment, every thoughtful post, every pause before we hit “send” makes the digital world a better place for our children.

By guiding them with empathy, not fear, and by modelling kind, balanced online behaviour, we’re giving them one of the greatest tools for life, compassion in a connected world.