Digital Technologies

Last week was my first week back with the students after five weeks leave in the USA. It was great to see all the students again.  I had discussions with most classes in Years 4-6 about the news that came out last week, the banning of social media for children coming into law in the future. Some students had heard about this in the news, most had not.  There was a lot of shocked faces at what could happen.  The students asked some great questions about how and when this was going to occur.  Obviously I didn't have answers to some of these questions, as even the govenment can't answer these questions at the moment. Below are some of the more interesting questions and responses our students had, that have stuck with me:

If no one has social media in my age group then I am not missing out on anything.

I don't have social media at the moment, so I wouldn't feel like I was missing out on things if there is a ban.

I have spent a lot of money on a game, what happens if it can't play it if it gets banned.

I use a game to connect me to friends overseas.  I would miss that if it was banned.

I use Youtube to de-stress after a day at school.  

I watch Youtube for cake baking videos.  I cannot see these on Youtube Kids.

What would happen if we use our parents accounts when the ban comes in place?

I don't play games or Youtube during the week, only on the weekend when I am allowed to.  Why should I be penalised by people doing the wrong thing?

What happens if we break the law and go onto a banned site or app?

We use Youtube as school for our learning.  Will we still be able to do this?

Will messaging apps be included in the ban, as I use this to talk to my friends after school?

I understand why social media would be banned for us, but why Youtube?

The companies that built these apps are going to lose a lot of money in Australia.  Why didn't they make things stricter before it got to this?

We have some deep, thoughtful students at our school.  They made me think about what they had to say and reflect on how and why they use some of the apps.  Clearly, most of these social media apps are for students a lot older than our students and can harm their mental and social wellbeing and this is why they government is looking at protecting our children.  There is a lot of work to be done in this space, but I hope it will have a positive effect on our students.

Any questions or help please email me at 

nadine.jones@sjvermont.catholic.edu.au

Nadine Jones

E Learning Leader 

STEMMS Teacher