Online Safety for your Child is a Team Effort

The Internet is essential to our children's education, future careers and lives. Our children don’t know a world without the internet, a click of a button to find out an answer to their problems. 

I would like to remind you that all our students (K-Year 6) signed the Responsible Use of Technology Agreement at the beginning of the year which states they will use the internet appropriately. Students also agreed they will respect the rights of others. This year, majority of the students have upheld their promise and continue to produce amazing work using their devices. 

At school, according to the Catholic Education Office guidelines, our internet is restricted. Students cannot access inappropriate sites-particularly sites such as Facebook and Twitter. However, we cannot control how students use the internet at home. I have spoken to multiple students across the school and it has shocked me to know how many of our younger students including infants are on a number of social media apps. This is where I need your support. Teaching the students about responsible and safe internet use is important but we also need to be role models for our children. 

The chart below shows the age restrictions for a number of popular apps and social media platforms. Please note that none of the children in our school are old enough to be using any of these online platforms. Age restrictions on social media platforms are in place to keep children safe, as they are too young to understand the implications of their posts or effectively handle dangerous situations. Often students will inform me that their parents have signed up for the app or they have lied about their age when trying to download it. Neither of these situations are acceptable.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and the social distancing restrictions, I am unable to organise a guest presenter from the eSafety commissioner to visit the school for a parent community. Instead, I have linked a number of useful websites for you to visit and encourage you to have open discussions at home with your children about safe and responsible use when online. 

Recommended websites:

eSafety Commissioner  https://www.esafety.gov.au

Think U Know   https://www.thinkuknow.org.au

Kids Help Line https://kidshelpline.com.au

Thank you for your continual support,

Mrs Andrea Martin
ICLT Middle Leader