What Parents Need to Know about Social Pressures Linked To ‘Friends and Followers’

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Anna Bateman Mental health expert and former DfE adviser
Guide

This free online safety guide focuses on social pressures linked to 'friends' and 'followers.' The guide takes a look at how to tackle a range of potential risks such as fake friends, friend envy and being followed by strangers.

A free online safety guide on social Pressures linked to 'Friends and Followers'.

The whole concept of social media relies on users having friends or followers (or both). ‘Friends’ tend to be those with whom users will share their own personal profile. It’s usually a mutual relationship, with both parties able to engage and interact with everything their friends post online. ‘Followers’, on the other hand, are typically one-way relationships and, dependent on the platform, only provide access to certain aspects of an individual’s profile, such as their content feed. A common trait which often exists between the two, however, is the user's desire to gather as many friends or followers as possible.

In this guide, you'll find tips on avoiding potential risks such as fake friends, friend envy and being followed by strangers.