Newsletter - Pascoe Vale North Primary School

Wellbeing

Dimi

Social Media

 

It is the school's responsibility to implement a wellbeing program across all levels of the school in relation to esafety. And we do! These lessons occur within our Wellbeing Program, but is also part of the every day conversations that we have with the students. We also cover additional topics and issues when they arise.

However, most of the inappropriate use of social media occurs when students are at home. Therefore, this is out of our control- but is in your control. 

It is important that you establish an environment at home whereby your children can use devices with your safety net around them. 

Having chats with your children is also important to remind them of the consequences of social media and that you and others are there for them if they have questions.

 

This link will further assist you in your learning and understanding of the complexities of social media and online issues.

 eSafety Commissioner’s website: https://www.esafety.gov.au

 

These are some facts:

Children and social media

Most 8 to 12-year-old children in Australia have used social media or messaging services, according to eSafety’s recent national survey.

The 'Children and Social Media Survey', conducted in September 2024, revealed that 84% of children aged 8 to 12 had used at least one social media or messaging service since the beginning of the year. This was despite being under the age limit of 13+ (except for children using Family Link YouTube accounts, who are not breaching the age policy).

The research found:

  • 40% of children who had used social media or messaging services had their own account on at least one of these services.
  • Many children (80%) who said that they currently had a social media or messaging account(s) had help setting up their account(s) – with this help mostly coming from parents or carers.
  • Only 13% of children who currently had an account had one or more of their accounts shut down by a social media or messaging service in 2024 for being under the age limit of 13+.
  • Most children owned or had access to an internet-enabled device.