Time together that supports and protects children
Summer is just around the corner, bringing a season of new adventures. Spending time together as a family is one of the most vital protective factors in the lives of children and young people. These protective factors reduce risky behavior and strengthen children's ability to handle life's challenges.
Reykjavík City runs the prevention initiative Stay Smart, which shares positive messages with youth and their immediate family about spending time together and living healthy lifestyles.
Protective factors in children's lives:
- Active time together as a family
- Parents who know their children's friends and those friends' parents
- Children participating in organized recreational activities
- Parents staying aware of what their children are doing, where they are, and who they are with
- Having conversations about respect, healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries
- Talking about social media and responsible screen use
Parents can help support their children's safety by:
- Serving as good role models
- Setting clear boundaries and talking with children about when and how they get home in the evenings
- Refusing to allow unsupervised parties and respecting curfews
- Actively taking part in parent cooperation efforts
- Respecting laws on age limits for alcohol, drugs, and nicotine use
The Stay Smart website offers plenty of great ideas for family time together. It also links to a variety of resources for families looking to enjoy fun activities together this summer.