Cerebral Palsy -social media advice page for young people

SaraC_Scope

It's natural for teenagers and young adults to want to be part of a friendship group or community. Some find this networking activity an easy process, but for others it can be particularly difficult to find where they belong.

Some young people with cerebral palsy can face challenges with building social networks. They might not have met anyone who looks like them and they can feel excluded from peer groups through lack of understanding.

Social media can provide a space to connect with others. More young people are openly discussing their disabilities on social network platforms.

Scope colleagues and the CP Network team have created a document for young people called:

Finding your community on social media.

Social media can be a positive space for you to explore your identity as a disabled young person. You can find relatable content. There are many disabled bloggers and influencers sharing their experiences. You might be able to relate to them. Finding your community on social media:

Reaffirms your identity.

Helps you advocate for yourself. Seeing other empowered disabled people builds confidence and knowledge. You can then advocate for your needs better.

Reduces loneliness and isolation. The disabled community on social media is vast and varied. You will discover people with similar experiences to you. Find your tribe!

Connects you with likeminded people. This includes peers, groups and organisations. This can lead to new and exciting opportunities for you.

Can give you practical advice. You can get real-life opinions about mobility aids and navigating medical appointments.

Embrace intersectionality

It is rare that disability is the only part of someone’s identity. Disability impacts so many aspects of our lives. There are many intersectional bloggers and influencers on social media. Disability can intersect your:

race

sexuality

gender

social class

Tips for keeping yourself safe

There are ways to keep yourself safe online.

Follow age guidelines. Social media apps have age limits for a reason. Instagram has separate accounts for young people aged 13 to 17. TikTok has specific controls for young people under the age of 18.

Follow accounts that make you feel good. You are in control of what you see on social media. Unfollow or block any accounts that upset you.

Social media is a snapshot. Everything shared is a choice. People’s lives are complex, and we never truly see their real life. Seeing posts of supposedly perfect lives can make us feel inadequate. Remember that social media is not always completely honest.

Abuse due to disability, race, gender, sexuality, religion or belief is a hate crime. This includes on social media. You can report a hate crime online (GOV.UK)

Be mindful of social media affecting your wellbeing. If you feel social media is affecting your sleep, Teen Sleep Hub has information on how to get a better night’s sleep.

Some influencers to get you started

Our website contains links to third parties’ websites for your information only. We have no control over the content of those sites or resources. We do not accept liability for their content.

Our website links to pages maintained by us on third party social media websites. When you use those pages, you must do so under their terms of use and these terms of use.

Eva Abley

Nicolas Hamilton

Cheethams With Dreams

Teddy Cosmo

Chelsea Bear

Chloe Tear

Katouche Goll

The Girl on Wheels

You could try searching for:

#cerebralpalsy

#CP

#teenagemobilityaids

#younganddisabled

Further information

If you want to learn more about online safety and wellbeing, you could try:

NSPCC online safety resources for children with SEND

YoungMinds social media and mental health

Mind tips for building confidence and self-esteem – for 11 to 18 year olds

Mary_Scope

Great post!

I have found social media has been incredibly helpful and empowering in understanding my disability and navigating the world with it. Growing up, I didn't know anyone with my condition(or just being a young person with a disability!) and it's really hard to be what you can't see so connecting with other people similar to me online was very empowering.

The Cheethams With Dreams make some great content over on tiktok, I remember them being on my FYP during the pandemic a lot!