CHILDREN from a Wee County school have supported the creation of a digital resource promoting the healthy use of screens and social media.

Young people from Banchory Primary School in Tullibody gave their views on social media like Facebook and provided solutions to promote healthy screen use.

Their involvement helped create the Mind Yer Time online platform.

The resource was rolled out at the end of last week in Scotland by the government and is available for local pupils.

The launch is timely with young people spending an unprecedented amount of time online during the coronavirus lockdown.

Mind Yer Time explores hard-hitting issues like only bullying, body image and more.

It features content from young people who share their experiences of social media with top tips on how to make the most of the time spent online.

The resource was co-created over the past year with the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) and the Children's Parliament with the support of more than 650 young people, including the young people at Banchory.

The school was one of three in the country to take part.

Jack Dudgeon, chair of the SYP, said: "Like all of us, young people in Clackmannanshire are adapting to physical distancing by spending more time online.

"Online tech is playing a vital role in reducing isolation during the coronavirus outbreak but at times it can be overwhelming and research shows unhealthy amounts of screen time have a negative impact on our mental and physical health.

"We're proud to be helping young people by launching the Mind Yer Time resource, so they can flourish online and offline."

Mind Yer Time also helps signpost young people to NHS and government approved advice and support services.

Mental health minister Clare Haughey added: "As we know, social media does have the potential to be used in a hugely positive way, but we want to ensure young people are properly informed on how social media promotes unrealistic expectations and what the healthy use of social media platforms looks like.

"We are also considering what further support is necessary for children and young people who may be experiencing stress, worry and anxiety around the pandemic.

"The Scottish Youth Parliament and the Children's Parliament should be very proud of this world-leading work and we hope it is widely used across Scotland, both during the pandemic and beyond."

Visit mindyertime.scot to access the platform.