Online child psychology is no longer the exception: many families opt for remote sessions for logistical reasons or by choice. But online work with minors has specific demands.
Recommended minimum age
- Under 6-7: little advisable.
- 7-11: viable with adaptations.
- Teens (12+): most adapt well.
Setting and tools
- Private space for the minor without distractions.
- Physical material at home: pencils, modelling clay, emotion dice.
- Platform with digital whiteboard (Doxy, Whereby, Miro).
- Shorter, dynamic sessions.
Consent and custody
- Both parents' ID.
- Family book.
- Custody ruling if separation.
- Double signed consent.
GDPR and minors' data
- EU server.
- Encryption in transit and at rest.
- DPA.
- Minimum retention 5 years post age of majority.
Working with parents
Specific sessions with parents every 4-6 sessions of the minor: progress feedback, guidelines, school coordination.
Technical difficulties
- Connection drops: keep phone available.
- Minor distraction: change activity every 5-10 min.
- Inappropriate adult presence: frame at the start.
- Acoustic privacy: have the minor use headphones.
Typical mistakes
- Applying adult setting to a minor.
- Not verifying identity or custody.
- Lack of physical material at the minor's home.
- Not coordinating with parents.
- Non-GDPR platform.
Preguntas frecuentes
Common questions about online child psychology.
Does online psychology work with young children?
Below 6-7 limited. 7-11 viable with adaptations. Teens often work better than in-person.
Do I need both parents' consent?
Yes, in shared custody and barring specific judicial decision.
Which platform for online child psychology?
Doxy.me, Whereby Pro or Zoom for Healthcare with DPA.
How do I organise material for online child sessions?
Send a postal kit with pencils, paper, emotion dice.
When to switch to in-person?
If 4-6 sessions show low adherence or maltreatment suspicion.