Healthcare professionals

We have some helpful guides to the most popular social media services and you can also see the NSPCC’s NetAware guide. 

You can also sign up to our newsletter which will share our latest blogs and highlight new trends. 

For the latest research, see this series of research summaries, created by the Evidence Group of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety. 

The Royal Society for Public Health and Young Health Movement have  produced the #StatusOfMind report which looks at the positive and negative effects that social media is having on young people.

Young Minds is a charity that helps young people manage their mental health. They are running a campaign called ‘Life on the Web’ to look at the challenges and benefits of growing up with the internet and tackle problems like cyberbullying and online privacy that can threaten mental health and wellbeing.

Health Talk is a website which provides information about health issues, by sharing people’s real-life experiences. They have two particular articles which discuss the influence of the internet for young people experiencing mental health issues and those suffering from bereavement due suicide.

The key to helping young people online is to listen to them and offer support. There are a range of issues a young person may face online and come to you for help with.

Cyberbullying is still a big concern for many young people online and we have seen this through Childline’s annual reports. Childnet International has produced Cyberbullying Guidance for schools which may offer some useful information in terms of key behaviours and strategies.   

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced a report on ‘Managing self-harm in young people’. The report looks at the issue in detail with a particular focus on the internet from page 25 onwards.

The Royal College of Nursing has produced guidance to help victims of domestic abuse keep themselves safe and seek help online.  

Young people often prefer to look for information online so may ask you to recommend an app or website.

The NHS has developed the NHS GO app with young people for young people. The app and website are designed to help them find clear and reliable information about their health and locate their local services and support.

We would also recommend signposting young people to services like Childline, The Mix and Young Minds for advice and support. 

If you are unsure what to do you can contact our helpline, the Professionals Online Safety Helpline, on 0344 381 4772 or helpline@saferinternet.org.uk.

We have more advice about where you can report and seek further advice on our Need Help page.

You may wish to use audio or video recording to improve patient care. The recordings could be

There is full guidance from the General Medical Council on how to use audio or video recording in partnership with your patient and a supporting summary document. 

Many people turn to the internet for support and information about their health and there are many benefits to health services for harnessing the digital world to strengthen and deliver their provision.

The RAMP Guide to Delivering Mental Wellbeing Services Online provides practical support for providers about how to deliver high quality services, with information around data protection, informed consent, privacy and safety, and moderation.