Online safety is vital for tweens (ages 8-12) as they begin to navigate the world with increasing independence. We know that a secure environment, both physically and emotionally, is crucial for their growth. In today’s digital world, it is crucial that safety extends to online spaces, where content that is designed for their specific safety needs is provided.
Emotional safety ensures they feel confident to express their feelings and ask for help. In an environment that promotes safety, tweens are more likely to grow into confident, resilient individuals.
In online spaces, we can promote emotional safety by setting boundaries, encouraging open communication, and teaching tweens how to engage responsibly. We can create an environment where children feel listened to, supported, and valued. By fostering online safety, we provide tweens with a foundation of trust that allows them to thrive in all areas of their lives, especially as they navigate the ever-increasing digital communities they are exposed to daily.
