Parenting advice: setting healthy online boundaries this summer holiday

With the school Summer holidays upon us, many parents will be worrying about the amount of time their children spend online and how they’re going to manage this during the holiday period. Here, mental health expert Noel McDermott looks at healthy digital boundaries and how technology increases learning opportunities, builds digital skills and aids communication and connection amongst children, all positives that can boost children’s’ development and self-esteem.

Take the time to find out what your children are doing online and try to get inside their heads. Don’t be a dinosaur about technology and virtual spaces, try to imagine going through the pandemic without being able to go online, how horrible would that have been for all?  First thing to remember is that for the most part kids do not have problems with online usage. Since its opening the specialised NHS gaming disorders service has had 750 referrals out of the 17.3 million children and young people in the UK, which gives the perspective on the level of clinical need, small and highly specialised.

Aston spoke to psychotherapist Noel McDermott.