JNC Sept 1st 2026 Scottish Government Consultation on Social Media

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PUBLIC
Agenda Item .......... 
Renfrewshire Joint Negotiating Committee for Teachers 
To: Renfrewshire Joint Negotiating Committee for Teachers
On: 1st September 2026
Report by
Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) 
Scottish Government Consultation: Protecting
Young People from Online Harm 
1. Background 
The Scottish Government launched  a consultation on 19th August, 2026 to explore
families’ experiences of smartphones, social media and going online. The purpose of
the consultation is to gather information and inform this important public health
campaign.  A link to the surveys can be found at:
https://www.gov.scot/news/protecting-young-people-from-online-harms/ 
There are two main parts to the paper: the first survey explores how children and
young people use screens, apps and social media, as well as assessing the possible
effects on their wellbeing and their confidence in staying safe on the internet; the
second survey, directed at parents and carers, seeks to ascertain how confident they
are in supporting their children’s screen use, and what resources they would find
helpful. 
As well as the surveys the paper outlines the Scottish Governments attempts to
influence UK social media policy and also has links to organisations that promote
safety online and support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.   
This consultation closes on Wednesday 30th September. 
2. Recommendation 
That Renfrewshire Council actively promotes the Scottish Government survey widely
in its communications with staff and schools to encourage participation of as many
young people, parents and carers as possible to inform this important public health
campaign.