Wellbeing

End of Term 3: 

Wellbeing Report 

The Importance of Online Safety for Our Young People 

As your Director of Wellbeing, I want to take a moment to talk about an issue that has become increasingly important for our school community: online safety. Many of our students receive their first mobile phone as they enter Year 7, a milestone that brings a world of opportunities and challenges. While mobile phones provide a way for parents and carers to keep in touch with their children, especially for safety reasons, the reality is that many young people are accessing content online that they may not fully understand or know how to handle. 

The internet opens doors to endless information, but it also presents risks—particularly when it comes to social media. Apps such as Instagram, TikTok, Discord, WIZZ, Hoop, Roblox, and Yarn allow young people to interact not just with their peers, but also with strangers. These platforms can provide opportunities for communication, creativity, and connection, but they also carry risks like exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and even grooming by individuals with harmful intentions. 

We know that parents give their children phones with the best intentions—to ensure their safety and to help them feel included among their peers. However, it's crucial to be aware of how these devices are being used. Many young people create fake accounts, allowing them to share content anonymously or engage in behaviours they might never consider in person. The anonymity of the online world can lead to situations where children and teens interact with individuals they do not truly know. 

We encourage all parents and carers to have open and honest conversations with their children about online safety. Ask them questions like: Are all the people you interact with online people you'd invite into our home? If the answer is no, then it's worth considering whether these interactions are safe. By bringing their phones into your home, young people are, in a sense, allowing those people into their personal spaces, whether it's their bedrooms, bathrooms, or living rooms. 

Supporting Families: What to Do When Things Go Wrong Online 

It's important to have a plan in place for when online interactions take a negative turn. If your child experiences cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or unwanted contact online, there are steps you can take: 

Open Communication: Let your child know that they can come to you if they ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe online. Reassure them that they won't be in trouble for sharing their concerns. 

Block and Report: Teach your child how to block users who make them uncomfortable and report inappropriate behaviour or content on the apps they use. Most platforms have easy-to-use reporting features. 

Stay Calm and Supportive: If your child encounters something harmful online, stay calm and listen to their experience. Together, you can figure out the best course of action, whether that's contacting the school, the police, or the eSafety Commissioner for guidance. 

Parental Controls and Monitoring: Consider using parental control apps that allow you to monitor your child's online activity and set limits on screen time. While it's important to respect your child's privacy, monitoring their online interactions can help keep them safe. 

Know Where to Get Help: Familiarise yourself with resources that provide support for online safety. Websites like the eSafety Commissioner (www.esafety.gov.au) offer tools, advice, and ways to report online abuse. If you're ever unsure of what to do, they can guide you through the process. 

Tips for Maintaining Online Health 

To help your child develop healthy online habits, here are a few tips: 

Set Time Limits: Encourage balance between screen time and other activities. Setting time limits for social media use can help prevent overexposure and encourage real-world connections. 

Promote Positive Online Behaviour: Discuss the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, both online and offline. Remind your child that their digital footprint lasts forever, and it's important to think before they post. 

Encourage Offline Activities: With the warmer weather of spring approaching, it's a great time to encourage your child to get outside, spend time in nature, or engage in hobbies that don't involve screens. 

Model Healthy Behavior: Children learn from our behaviour as parents and carers. You set a positive example by modelling healthy online habits, such as taking breaks from technology and prioritising face-to-face interactions. 

Let's work together to ensure that our young people navigate the online world safely, responsibly, and with a strong sense of awareness. If you need any further support or guidance on managing online safety, don't hesitate to reach out to our wellbeing team. 

Elizabeth Smith 

Director of Student Wellbeing