Safer social media for young people

Maudsley Charity is partnering with Dove and a group of campaigning organisations to make social media safer for young people.

Social media is making kids sick. Over 8 in 10 youth mental health specialists say social media is fuelling a mental health crisis among young people. New research from the Dove Self-Esteem Project has revealed:

• 9 in 10 kids are exposed to toxic beauty content on social media. As a result, this harmful content is impacting the mental health of 1 in 2 kids.
• 9 in 10 youth mental health specialists say exposure to harmful beauty content on social media can lead to physical consequences, like disordered eating or self-harm.

Dove’s ‘Campaign for Kids Online Safety’ is taking action to support young people’s mental health

Dove is funding access to mental health resources and support organisations that are working to make social media safer from the design level.

Campaigning for safer social media

Global Action Plan, 5Rights, Parenting Mental Health and Girlguiding, will raise awareness of harmful features on social media to encourage new design standards that will make social media safer for kids.

Together, whttps://5rightsfoundation.com/e can protect our kids’ mental health. Visit Dove.com/KidsOnlineSafety to sign the ‘Protect Kids’ Mental Health’ petition from GAP and 5Rights, to call for social media to be made safe by design.

Funding for the Pears Maudsley Centre

In partnership with the Maudsley Charity, Dove will fund Mental Health Facilities at the Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People – a new facility that will protect the mental health of some of the UK’s most vulnerable young people experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders.

Providing access to resources

Parenting Mental Health, in partnership with Dove, will make access to support services and advocates more accessible for parents whose kids are navigating mental health challenges.

Getting support

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk / Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential mental health support, 24/7.

#KidsOnlineSafety