National increases in 'self harm' amongst children (NSPCC)

A recent study and report by the NSPCC identified that nationally 'self harm' accounted for 5% of all referrals made to them for help.  This is a sharp increase to that seen in the past.  

Whilst it has traditionally been identified within teenage children some reports of increased awareness of the action, particularly through social media websites and blogs, has meant that younger children are now more commonly using self harm as a means of managing their emotions.

With this in mind, I include a link below to the NSPCC website.  This will support parents in their vigilance and knows;edge regarding the matter.

NSPCC Self Harm - Parental information  (Click for link)

If you are worried your child may be self-harming you should speak to your GP or another agency such as school who may be able to signpost support.

Here are some things to look out for:

• unexplained cuts, burns, bite marks, bruises or bald patches
• keeping themselves covered, for example wearing long sleeves or trousers even during hot weather, not wanting to change clothes around others or avoiding activities like swimming
• bloody tissues in waste bins
• seeming low or depressed, for example withdrawing from friends and family
• blaming themselves for problems or expressing feelings of failure, uselessness or hopelessness
• outbursts of anger or argumentativeness

Dear parents

Urgent Social Media Notice – Parental moral and legal responsibilities.

It has come to light that a minority of children at the school are accessing WhatsApp to message each other and creating private chat groups.  Concerns have been raised about the nature of comments posted, some of which are believed to be derogatory, inappropriate or slanderous.  As the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the school, I am uncompromising in my duty of care and application of policy regarding any area of risk; this includes access to social media.

Moral duty to safeguard: I remind parents, as I often have, of the dangers of social media exchanges and the dangerous impact they can have on others.  We only need to read the cases of those similar to Molly Russel, who tragically took her own life after having unsupervised access to social media posts and communication, to understand the importance of monitoring and controlling social media access.

Legal position:  WhatsApp and similar platforms are not age appropriate for primary school children and if used this is a breach of the terms and conditions; as a parent you may be deemed as acting neglectfully in law.

THE AGE RESTRICTIONS ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD

I remain perplexed at the blasé approach a minority of parents have when it comes to uncontrolled and unmonitored access to social media.  A prime platform for this is WhatsApp, closely followed by SnapChat. 

It cannot be emphasised enough that if parents are of the view ‘my child wouldn’t do that’, or ‘it is unfair on them not to use it as their friends do’, then you are wilfully placing your child at risk, and by knowingly allowing access to non-age appropriate online platforms, acting neglectfully in the eyes of the law.