Here are some resources about online safeguarding for young people – and for anyone wanting to spend less time on smartphones and more time in real life!
Our panellists for presented a wonderfully wise and informative discussion around social media and safeguarding for young people after we screened Molly Vs The Machines. They have assisted us in putting together these resources.
The panellists are (pictured): Rachel Hamilton (Student Counsellor at Arts University Plymouth); Beth Hicks (integrative therapist and counselling tutor); Lauren McLay (Green Party Councillor and leader of the Green Group on Plymouth City Council); Magda Maszczynska (criminologist and Director of the Deterrence Center).
The post-film panel and audience discussion was one of the best we have ever had at Plymouth Arts Cinema. Everyone was incredibly moved by the film and we are grateful for such positive audience feedback and interraction, given the dark subject matter. We also had some students in, who made beautiful and articulate comments on the way social media had affected them and their peers.
If you missed Molly Vs the Machines at Plymouth Arts Cinema, you can now stream it on Channel 4. It’s an emotional watch but so worth it, especially for parents, teachers, and anyone caring for teenagers. If there’s a grain of hope it’s in films like this.
Free online training from Deterrence Center. This is the organisation of Magda Maszczynska who was part of the panel discussion at PAC.
Digital Manipulation and Human Vulnerability: Safeguarding Young People in an Age of Online Influence on 16th April 2026 at 16:00 GMT.
This session is designed as an accessible introduction for everyone, with practical insights and time for questions.
Drawing on insights from psychology, digital media studies, and safeguarding practice, this webinar will help you understand:
- how digital manipulation works online
- why young people may be particularly vulnerable
- emerging risks including deepfakes, mis and disinformation, grooming, and online influence
- how manipulation spreads through social media ecosystems
- practical ways to support young people in navigating these challenges safely
Books
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
He argues that the rapid shift from a “play-based” to a “phone-based” childhood between 2010 and 2015 caused a global epidemic of adolescent mental illness. Haidt identifies the decline of unsupervised, risky play and the rise of constant social media/smartphone use as the key drivers, proposing a return to more childhood independence and delayed smartphone access to combat rising anxiety, depression, and self-harm.
Why Doing Nothing Can Change Your Life – The Brain at Rest by By Dr Joseph Jebelli
Blending science and personal stories with practical tips, Dr Joseph Jebelli reveals how neuroscience is solving the mystery of the brain at rest, with profound implications for intelligence, creativity and even life expectancy. If we dare to break the taboo surrounding rest, we will find that long baths, walks in nature, meditation and simple daydreaming are the key to a happier, healthier – and ironically, more productive – life.
Anna Freud Centre – a pioneering mental health charity transforming care for children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation.
This site contains excellent UK resources on:
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- digital wellbeing
- youth mental health
- family conversations about technology
They publish practical guides used in schools and counselling settings.
Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting – a podcast hosted by psychologist Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan.
- Focuses on teen mental health, social media pressure, friendships, and online life.
- Episodes often cover:
- Social media and anxiety
- Screen time conflicts
- Cyberbullying
- Healthy boundaries with phones
- Very counselling-informed and practical.
Good episodes to look for:
- Teens and Social Media: What Parents Need to Know
- Helping Kids Handle Online Conflict
Keeping Our Children Safe Online: A Conversation for Plymouth
“The Government has launched a major consultation on children’s online safety, and I want Plymouth’s voice to be right at the heart of it. Whether you support a ban for under-16s or want to see tougher rules for tech giants, your evidence matters. This consultation will consider a wide range of views and look at the practicalities of making new rules actually stick.” – Luke Pollard – Labour & Co-op Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport
