Better Internet for Kids

What is the series about?

The British drama series is about a 13-year-old boy who is accused of stabbing a fellow pupil. The unassuming 13-year-old comes from an intact family, is a good student and still seems very childlike overall. For the viewers, it is initially inconceivable that this child is capable of murder. The question of why is at the centre of the fictional series.

The investigation into this case quickly leads to the internet. The perpetrator was active in dubious online communities that spread misogynistic ideologies. Exclusion at school and cyberbullying also come to light. The series also focuses on communication among young people on social networks that is incomprehensible to adults.

"Adolescence" addresses many of the risks of young people's digital world and leaves a feeling of helplessness. Adult caregivers are made aware of how little they know about the online behaviour of children and young people. The feeling of powerlessness remains, of not being able to help children and young people with problems in the digital world or of not recognising their own children's problems. This affects parents and other adult carers deeply. And many wonder how they themselves could react better than in the series.

Emojis and their meanings 

One point where adults could start is to better understand young people's online communication. Young people communicate differently to adults. Emojis in particular are an important part of their communication and these can often have completely different meanings than you might think. Harmless emojis can conceal clear messages, emotions or secret codes (depending on the context). In the series "Adolescence", for example, there are emojis that refer to the "incel" movement. 

"Incel" is a combination of the English words involuntary and celibate (sexually abstinent). Incels are heterosexual men who do not have sexual or romantic relationships with women. The frustration about this leads to misogyny and misogynistic theories that are spread in online communities and social networks. 

"Adolescence" shows that adults do not understand the language of young people and can therefore overlook problematic developments and cyberbullying. Remember that emojis are not dangerous per se and are harmless in most cases. However, be aware that emojis can also conceal problematic messages.

The Austrian daily newspaper "Der Standard" offers an emoji guide with the most important translations in connection with cyberbullying, drug use and sexual innuendo.

Tip
What emojis really mean depends on the context and can vary. For example, the snowflake can also simply express joy at the snow and not be a reference to drugs or sensitive people. Quick conclusions are therefore not necessarily helpful.

Role models and easy ways out - radicalisation 

Another concern of many parents in connection with the series is the rapid radicalisation of the child - a process that is not perceived by the parents in the series. In fact, this is also described by other parents whose child has become radicalised over an issue. The reasons why a child is susceptible to such radicalisation can be very different: the search for support and structure, simple explanations in a complicated world, a lack of personal recognition in the analogue world and the search for one's own place in society.

In Austria, the Extremism Advice Centre provides support with such challenges. Parents and caregivers can contact them and receive individual advice. Even if general tips can be given on how to deal with radicalisation, individual approaches are necessary. Not everything can be implemented in every situation.

How can parents protect their children from such dangers? 

• Open conversations: ppen conversations about the content on social media are the core of good media education. Always discuss your child's online behaviour and media consumption without judging them. This increases the likelihood that children will turn to their parents if they have questions or problems such as cyberbullying.
• Appreciation: Appreciation is very important. Strengthen your child's self-esteem so that they don't have to get confirmation and recognition from the internet or from potentially dubious groups.
• Ask: actively try out your children's apps to get an impression and ask your child if you don't understand emojis or trends.  
• Recognise warning signs: watch out for changes in behaviour, withdrawal, drop in performance at school or conspicuous comments. These can indicate stress or the influence of problematic content. Show your child that you are interested in making their life better again.
• Stay informed: keep up to date with your children's online world. You don't have to understand or even control everything, but show interest by knowing about popular content or influencers.
• Point out offers of help: also talk about offers of help (in Austria, for example, the counselling centre Rat auf Draht). Your child may not want to turn to you for help with certain issues . However, point out that there are organisations that can help with problems.
• Agree on rules: establish rules together for mobile phone and media use that apply to all family members. You can find tips here.

How can schools deal with these issues? 

• Exchange: Talk to your students about their media consumption and regularly bring social networks into the classroom. The "Adolescence" series offers a good opportunity to start a dialogue. Saferinternet.at supports you with teaching materials in which you will find many exercises and information on a wide range of topics.
• Prevention: Offer workshops on the responsible use of media. Pay attention to the class dynamics to decide which topics could be relevant.
• Further training for teachers: Train teachers about current online trends and risks on the internet in order to recognise cyberbullying and dangerous developments at an early stage.
• Open dialogue culture: Create a school climate in which students dare to talk about problems.

Tip
Here you will find lots of tips on preventing cyberbullying in schools. 

Find more information about the work of the Austrian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.