Cyber Safety Update

Some general thoughts for consideration

As the end of the school year approaches, here are timely reminders for families regarding the use of devices and access to social media.

There are recommended ages for users to access the various forms of social media such as Facebook, Instagram, etc. The minimum legal age for these is 13 years with some 16 years. Please make sure that you keep abreast of the legal requirements for the use of these tools by regularly checking the Government’s eSafety guide for the most current trends in apps and their associated purpose and legal requirements. 

Please note that most social media is blocked on school devices for students. While at school we can manage the chrome books many students have phones that require parent/guardian active monitoring and engagement to ensure your child is safe, protected and utilising a powerful tool in a supported manner.

One of the key challenges involved in students of a younger age utilising these tools is the level of responsibility required by the users. Socialising online can be a great way for children to build friendships, but it can also put them at risk. Unwanted contact in any type of online communication that your child finds unpleasant or confronting, may lead them into a situation where they might do something they regret. This can happen even if they initially welcomed the contact. It can come from strangers, online ‘friends’ your child has not met face-to-face, or from someone, they actually know. In fact often the person the child knows can cause angst, worry or concerns.

At worst some of the contact can involve ‘grooming’ a child — building a relationship with a child in order to sexually abuse them. This abuse can happen in a physical meeting, but it increasingly occurs online when young people are tricked or persuaded into sexual activity on webcams or into sending sexual images.

While “grooming” is an issue we need to be vigilant with, a more obvious issue is comments by friends about friends or classmates. This, as we are all aware, can be very harmful. Comments, rumours, murmurs and gossip can be harmful, malicious and often devastating for each of us. Respectful relationships teach us to show care, empathy and consideration of thoughts and feelings. Our students are well aware of our school approach to the importance of valuing each, understanding that young people need to learn about relationships and build skills to be active productive members of our families, school and community.

Many of us have had to negotiate the fallout from hasty comments from friends and work colleagues who, in the heat of the moment, have penned something they now regret. The speed with which such comments are read and shared with others has far-reaching ramifications. 

If, as parents, you are considering to allow your students access to these tools; please consider the impact on your child's relationships, safety and learning before going ahead with full access. Please access the following link to get a more informed opinion on the choices of apps.

Total exclusion is no answer in my view. I liken the introduction of freedom to access all things online to a bit like gaining your driver's license. First you sit a test to show you know the rules of using a car, then you get lessons from an expert, you practise under close 1-1 supervision. Finally, you undergo an assessment to be able to drive alone, albeit with limitations. All done in the name of protecting the driver’s physical wellbeing and the community’s safety. A similar approach in the form of early supervision, staged introduction of freedoms and some limitations as children begin to navigate their way in an online environment would be most helpful in order to assist in protecting your child’s emotional and psychological wellbeing and supporting the broader community. 

In conclusion, to further support families in this area at school we are constantly improving our programs and support. This year we have had the Warrnambool Community Police support classrooms and have specific contacts of use with our Chromebooks. Online awareness discussions in classrooms and individual follow up with students also provide support in this area.