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���˿��� Teach > Primary Resources > Online safety > Online relationships

Managing friendships online

Video summary

The video discusses how we can all feel pressure to be available online at all times and explains how technology is designed to be 'sticky' - and reward you for coming back again and again… but it's ok to switch off from phones and other devices and have a break.

Is being online affecting our friendships?

Technology is a big part of our lives but the big question is, is time on our phone affecting us, the way we feel, and our friendships?

Similarly, jealousy on social media can be perfectly normal. Here are some questions for your students to consider.

What are the downsides?

Being constantly online means it can be difficult and impossible to step away from an uncomfortable situation.

It means that anyone can send you a nasty message at any hour of the day or night.

This can have a negative effect on the way you concentrate, how you sleep and how social you are being IRL.

What can you do?

Technology is deliberately designed to be ‘sticky’ with some social media sites rewarding you for coming back again and again. With distracting apps everywhere, it's easy to fall into the social media marketing trap - to keep scrolling and scrolling.

When's the last time you checked your screen time? This is super useful to see how much of your free time you're actually spending on your phone. It might be more than you think!

Ask yourself:

• Do you have a phone addiction?
• Do you feel pressured to be online?
• Could you put your phone down for a couple of days?

Why not try…

• Going through your settings and checking your notifications: turn them off
• Only check social media accounts when you want to, not when it tells you to
• Keep your phone out of eyesight during meals and when talking to friends
• Avoid your phone first thing in the morning, and last thing before bed
• Remember, it’s OK to give yourself a break.

Step away from your home screen, stop scrolling, resist sharing information and get some headspace in real time.

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