From the Deputy Principal's Desk

Keeping Your Child Safe Online: What Every Parent Needs to Know

As technology becomes a bigger part of our children’s lives, keeping them safe online has never been more important. Many children now use the internet daily for learning, entertainment, and socializing. However, the digital world can also expose young people to risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online predators, and excessive screen time.

To address these concerns, the Australian government would like to introduce new regulations prohibiting children under the age of 16 from signing up for social media platforms. This policy is designed to protect children from the potential dangers of social media until they are mature enough to navigate these platforms responsibly.

While this is a positive step, the responsibility for ensuring online safety ultimately begins at home. Here are some tips to help you monitor and guide your child’s internet use:

1. Set Clear Rules

Establish family rules about internet use, such as when and where devices can be used. Consider creating a "no screens in bedrooms or bathrooms" policy to help you keep an eye on their online activity.

2. Use Parental Controls

Activate parental controls on all devices and applications your child uses. Many devices allow you to restrict access to inappropriate content and set time limits.

3. Have Open Conversations

Talk to your children about the importance of staying safe online. Teach them to recognize suspicious behavior, avoid sharing personal information, and come to you if something feels wrong.

4. Check Privacy Settings

Ensure privacy settings are turned on for apps and games your child uses. This will limit who can contact them and what information others can see.

5. Be Involved

Stay engaged with your child’s online world. Take an interest in their favorite games, websites, and social media platforms. The more you understand, the better you can guide them.

6. Lead by Example

Model good online habits yourself. Show your children how to balance screen time with other activities and maintain respectful online interactions.

Platforms like Tik Tok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and Discord all have minimum age restrictions and SHOULD NOT BE USED by primary school students

By working together, we can create a safer digital environment for our children to learn and grow. If you have any questions or need additional resources, feel free to reach out to the school for support.

Thank you for your continued partnership in safeguarding our students.