Parents concerned about the safety of their children on social media questioned an expert panel on a range of issues at a north London meeting organised by MyIsrael.

“If your kids are on social media, then you need to be, too,” they were told by Nathan Servi, who heads the Maccabi GB/Community Security Trust Streetwise initiative.

“You need to understand how these different apps and chatrooms work. You’re in a far better position if you can chat with your kids from a position of understanding and knowledge.”

Susie Herman, a senior psychologist specialising in adolescent mental health, encouraged “open discussion” between parents and children on social media use.

“It’s not about what they want or what you want. You need to come to an agreement about what is appropriate and what is not.”

Funds raised from the event will benefit Crossroads, a MyIsrael charity providing refuge and support for English-speaking teenagers living on the streets in Jerusalem.
Appropriately, the cash will help finance a social media outreach programme.