SignHealth's Position on Social Media Use by Children and Young People

SignHealth’s Position on Social Media Use by Children and Young People 

At SignHealth, we believe in a world without barriers to good health and wellbeing for deaf people. For many deaf children and young people, social media is an important way to connect and feel part of a community. This is especially important where opportunities for face to face connection are limited, a reality for many deaf children and young people.  

We recognise that social media can support empowerment, inclusion, and self expression, helping young people build friendships, access information, and engage with issues that matter to them. At the same time, we are clear that social media can also pose real risks to safety, mental health, and wellbeing, including bullying, exclusion, exposure to harmful content, and pressure to be constantly online. 

Deaf young people have told us that access to social media helps reduce isolation, to learn, explore interests and engage with wider social issues in an accessible way. Often in person opportunities are not deaf-friendly.  

We do not support blanket restrictions that remove access without recognising individual needs. Instead, we believe children and young people are best supported through: 

• Accessible, age appropriate online safety education 

• Approaches that prioritise wellbeing and reduce isolation 

• Listening to young people’s voices and lived experiences 

• Creating supportive environments that encourage healthy, balanced use 

We welcome stronger, more effective content moderation and believe technology companies must take great responsibility for creating safer online environments.