Safety - Online

Online Behaviours

A number of social difficulties come from online gaming. Please be aware of what is happening in your child's online world and discuss what they are playing.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/gaming

https://www.realtalkaustralia.com/parentsseminarsstaffpd

SAFETY WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Our advice to parents is primary aged children should not be on social media. However, it is important to expand our knowledge on how to become and stay safe while engaging in social media.

Below are links to a free social media webinar titled Safe on Social Media

Mobile Phone Safety

At St. Patrick's we have a no mobile phones policy for students. If for some reason your child needs to have a phone before or after school, they must hand their phone in at the front office before they go to class and pick it up again before they leave in the afternoon. During the school day students can always be contacted by a phone call to the front office. If students are found with a phone during the school day, the phone will be confiscated and parents will be notified.

A reminder also that all phone capabilities of smart watches need to be disabled or sim cards taken out while students are at school. If students are found to be using their smart watch in this way they will also be confiscated and parents notified.

These policies are in place for the safety and well-being of all our students and we thank you for your ongoing support.

Dealing with disturbing videos Watching a TV show or video that has disturbing themes in it is a tricky thing to manage. Remember you don’t need to watch anything that’s disturbing. But if you decide to watch here’s how to manage some of the feelings that can come up when watching something a bit full-on. If videos… Upset you in the moment – Take a break – Get away from the screen for a bit, don’t binge watch bad stuff. If you’re worried about FOMO if you skip it, try watching it with a friend and watching something funny or positive straight after. Shift your mood from good to crappy – Practice self-care – Do something that makes you feel better – go for a walk, chat to a friend, have a hot drink or eve jump in the bath. Make you feel worried about someone you know – Start a conversation – Talk to the person that you’re worried about and remind them that you’re there if they need you. You can also reach out to a GP or counsellor to get some advice. Stir up past trauma by triggering memories or flashbacks – Get support – If you already see a counsellor or psychologist, make an appointment to discuss your experiences. If you don’t yet have professional support in place – make an appointment with your GP to get started.

SOCIAL MEDIA HELP

Kids Helpline. 1800 55 1800. Phone support is there all day, every day. Online support is open from 8am-midnight every day (AEST).

Suicide Callback Service. 1300 659 467. Phone support all day, every day, and follow-up calls.

eHeadspace. 1800 650 890. Open 9am-1am daily (AEST).

Lifeline. 13 11 14. Phone support all day, every day. Online support 7pm-4am daily (AEST).

Beyondblue. 1300 22 4636. Phone support all day, every day. Online support 3pm-midnight every day.

If a life is in danger call Triple Zero (000) right now.

Parents please DO NOT send any devices with your child to school if the device has access to the internet. Children need to always be supervised when on the internet.

Thank you for your support in keeping our children safe.