eSmart

Online Gateway Behaviours

As part of our ongoing eSmart membership, I recently met with our advisor from the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. We analysed our school data of cyber incidents and the results from our self-assessment. At VPS we are always striving to do better, to make our school the best learning environment for all our students. One area that came out of the data as an area for growth was gateway behaviours. 

According to eSmart, "Gateway behaviours refer to smaller-scale antisocial acts that can be overlooked in the moment". It can often be challenging to pin down exactly what they are, but when we do not recognise and call them out, we are in fact 'normalising them'. Some examples of gateway behaviours offline include - eye-rolling, ignoring, name-calling or mocking, embarrassing others, whispering or exclusion. Online they may include secretive technology use, breaking rules relating to technology, inconsiderate online acts, excessive technology use, or creating memes as a joke or at the expense of others. In isolation, they seem minor but if left unchecked they can lead to more serious issues if not dealt with early on.

The PDF below gives further information about online gateway behaviours along with suggestions for what parents can do.

As always please feel free to contact me if there is a particular topic you would like to hear more about or you have any questions.

julie.hall2@education.vic.gov.au