CYBER SAFETY

Dear Parents,

Over the past year, there have been an increasing number of incidents where students have engaged in social media forums and group chats, outside of school hours.

The wellbeing and safety of students at Murrumbeena Primary School is of the utmost importance and we strive to teach the skills, knowledge and values needed to navigate the digital world we live in. In conjunction with this, it is important that parents take responsibility of how their children utilise technology outside of school hours by providing supervision and through monitoring, of their digital devices and online presence.

As an eSmart school, we offer explicit teaching of cyber safety and online etiquette through programs such as being a part of the National Day of Action Against Bullying, Safer Internet Day, eSmart accreditation and ongoing Cyber Safety lessons within the curriculum.

Rights and Responsibilities

Students have the right to:

· Feel safe online

· Report or block inappropriate behaviour

· Leave an online platform or group if they feel unsafe

· Use digital devices and online platforms respectfully

Parents have the Responsibility to:

· Supervise their child’s use of digital technologies

· Monitor their child’s online presence

· Report or block inappropriate behaviour

· Provide support and advice for their child

· Encourage use of age appropriate apps and programs

Teachers have the Responsibility to:

· Abide by all school and Department of Education agreements and policies

· Supervise their grade’s use of digital technologies

· Monitor the use of online platforms such as Google Apps at school

· Report or block inappropriate behaviour

· Provide support and advice for students

· Ensure the use of age appropriate apps and programs

· Report to parents, if a breach of User Agreements or Policies occur

We invite parents to participate in next week’s webinar about cyber safety, as recommended by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. Please see the attachment for more information.

Hannah Vesikko