Technologies like AI and augmented reality are transforming online spaces. At the same time, digital devices provide young people with more access to such environments than ever before. With this in mind, Smoothwall has put together 'Emerging Challenges' - a series of quick reference articles to help DSLs understand the key digital safety trends they need to know.
This article explores up-ageing - a concept that applies to Gen Z and the latest generation of young people, known as Alpha, whose development is heavily influenced by consumption of online content.What is up-ageing?
Social researcher Mark McCrindle defines up-ageing as “young people growing up faster, at a younger age.” This phenomenon is particularly evident in children of current school age, in large part because they are digital natives.
Born into a world where access to information technology is almost universal, these young people are consuming content at record pace. This results in them absorbing information faster than they can develop the key skills which are needed to protect them from the potential harms of online content.
For example, when it comes to viewing explicit or upsetting content, students may not know how to process these experiences or deal with the emotions they elicit. Similarly, when faced with deceptive content like disinformation or fake news, they may not have the critical thinking skills required to identify it as such, and thus could find themselves susceptible to its influence.
As technology becomes more available and important for learning, children are sometimes left to use devices and tools without adequate supervision – both at school and at home. Those tasked with safeguarding children must grapple with the challenge of knowing that students need to develop comprehensive digital literacy, while at the same time understanding that they don't yet have the skills to be careful and safe while doing so.
The concept of up-ageing underscores the critical need for tools and interventions to help students have age-appropriate digital experiences and interactions.
How to recognise and remedy up-ageing
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Teachers can encourage healthy digital behaviours by communicating the need to use devices safely and responsibly.
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Clear guidelines for responsible digital behaviours should be established. For example, schools could consider setting boundaries like screen time, explaining why these limits are important and ensuring they are adhered to.
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Hold open and honest discussions on the digital threats that impact students (such as cyberbullying and catfishing) to create an environment in which they feel comfortable reporting any negative experiences they have.
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Consider incorporating digital citizenship lessons into the curriculum - schools can access free digital citizenship lesson plans from sources including Childnet and Common Sense.
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Engage and educate parents in conversations about age-appropriate technology use.
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Parents can help to continue the healthy digital behaviours promoted within school at home. Schools can help them to do this by providing regular guidance, for example, in the form of online safety workshops or newsletters.
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The Qustodio App empowers parents to take a proactive role in their child’s digital wellbeing. It gives caregivers the ability to block certain apps and websites, monitor online behaviours and receive real-time alerts if their child is exposed to potential risks.
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Utilise advanced web filtering and digital monitoring solutions to recognise and reduce incidents that can contribute to up-ageing.
- Real-time, content-aware web filters allow schools to manage access to online content by effectively blocking inappropriate and potentially harmful content. At the same time, content deemed to be relevant for educational purposes remains accessible, to ensure a productive learning experience.
- Real-time, human-moderated digital monitoring enables DSLs to proactively detect device-based concerns around student digital safety and intervene before incidents develop into significant problems.
Up-ageing and Smoothwall
Online threats like up-ageing impact children in ways that are not always apparent on the surface, challenging safeguarders to find new strategies to monitor and support student wellbeing. Smoothwall Pulse is a digital wellbeing platform that provides pupils with a channel to speak out if they're experiencing difficulties. A simple 60-second check-in encourages students to reflect on their current mental health and request help from a trusted adult if needed. The resulting data presents school leaders with crucial visibility of wellbeing levels across classes, year groups and schools, allowing them to support students in need and establish a positive wellbeing culture.
Want to learn more about the current state of student digital safety? Download our free whitepaper: Student Digital Wellbeing: UK State of the Nation Report 2024
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