Digital Technologies
With so many new social media platforms, I think it’s time we talk about cyber safety. Our Grade 5 and 6 students are nearly of an age where it is legal for them to independently access apps such as BeReal, TikTok and Snapchat, however many experts say that children do not have the maturity to cope with negative attention from others. And while not all social media is negative, children without the maturity and development required are accessing these platforms younger and younger.
While at school our students learn about cyber safety. From Foundation to Year 6, our teachers explicitly teach focused lessons based on the VCAA Digital Technologies curriculum, highlighting the absolute necessity for children to learn about and understand how to manage interactions online. In Foundation to Year 2, our students learn to recognise the need to keep personal information private. In Years 3 and 4, students discuss Digital Citizenship and what their Digital Footprint may look like. They become more aware of their ethical responsibilities when using online platforms and are taught what and how to report unsafe or uncomfortable information. By the time our students reach Years 5 and 6 we begin introducing safe approaches to using social media. We discuss privacy settings, appropriateness of shared content, and how to manage awkward or unpleasant scenarios online. However, this is only scraping the surface of a very complicated and growing world that our children are exposed to daily.
So how, as the adults in their lives, can we support our children to navigate this world safely, while still making it a positive experience? To begin with, keeping children off social media until they are 12+ is important – apps like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok have an age limit for a reason. As our children become older and begin accessing various apps and websites, it is essential that we are aware of what they are accessing and can monitor their use, while still allowing them to explore independently. Having your own account on some of these apps could help support you in your awareness of what your child is accessing but also allow you to have the knowledge to invite conversations with your child around content and users. And finally, encourage open and honest conversations about safe digital use and set at home boundaries for everyone to follow.
There are some excellent resources that can be accessed to continue to support positive conversations around cyber safety.
https://cybersafetyproject.com.au/
Conversations around cyber safety continue into high school and beyond. It is an ever-changing environment that we continue to support and guide our children through. With the right information and support accessible to our children we will be able to ensure a positive experience through their schooling and into early adulthood.